2026 Best Environmental Design Schools
Looking for the best Environmental Design programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 65 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Environmental Design Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school based in Blacksburg, VA. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #2 on this year's Environmental Design ranking in the United States. Located in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $25,759 to complete their Environmental Design program here. See the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh profile
Out of the 65 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of California Berkeley landed the #3 spot. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical Environmental Design student debt is $14,238. More on University Of California Berkeley
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #4 on this year's Environmental Design ranking in the United States. Based in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. University Of Virginia Main Campus Environmental Design students take on a median of $18,627 in debt. Get the full University Of Virginia Main Campus report
You'll be in good company at University Of Southern California, which ranked #5 this year. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Get the full University Of Southern California report
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #6 among Environmental Design schools in the United States. This public school is set in Austin, TX. The University Of Texas At Austin posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical Environmental Design student debt is $21,275. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
Clemson University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Environmental Design schools. Set in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. The median Environmental Design program debt is $23,783. Read more about Clemson University
University Of Miami did well this year, earning the #8 position. Based in Coral Gables, FL, University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $62,616 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete their Environmental Design program here. Read the full report on University Of Miami
Auburn University placed #9 among Environmental Design schools in the United States. Based in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. Auburn University posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,375 to complete their Environmental Design program here. More on Auburn University
University Of Georgia landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. University Of Georgia is a public school based in Athens, GA. University Of Georgia posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical Environmental Design student debt is $21,792. Get the full University Of Georgia report
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities did well this year, earning the #11 position. This public school is set in Minneapolis, MN. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities Environmental Design students take on a median of $21,577 in debt. Get the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities report
Marywood University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Marywood University is a private not-for-profit school based in Scranton, PA. About 72% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $41,420. The median Environmental Design program debt is $27,744. See the full Marywood University profile
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Based in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. University Of Pennsylvania Environmental Design students take on a median of $16,155 in debt. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
University Of Houston ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Environmental Design schools. University Of Houston is a public school based in Houston, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Read more about University Of Houston
North Dakota State University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #15 position. This public school is set in Fargo, ND. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Typical Environmental Design student debt is $25,153. Get the full North Dakota State University Main Campus report
Iowa State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Environmental Design schools. Based in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Iowa State University Environmental Design students take on a median of $23,495 in debt. See the full Iowa State University profile
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #17 in this year's ranking. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public school based in Honolulu, HI. About 64% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,047 to complete their Environmental Design program here. See the full University Of Hawaii At Manoa profile
Boston Architectural College landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Boston Architectural College is a private not-for-profit school based in Boston, MA. About 32% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $27,470 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $53,192 to complete their Environmental Design program here. Read the full report on Boston Architectural College
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Located in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Read the full report on Texas A And M University College Station
University Of Colorado Boulder did well this year, earning the #20 position. Based in Boulder, CO, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. University Of Colorado Boulder posts a six-year graduation rate of 74%. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Students borrow a median of $23,641 to complete their Environmental Design program here. See the full University Of Colorado Boulder profile
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Based in Bowling Green, OH, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Environmental Design program here. Read the full report on Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Ball State University placed #22 among Environmental Design schools in the United States. Based in Muncie, IN, Ball State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Ball State University Environmental Design students take on a median of $24,518 in debt. Get the full Ball State University report
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #23 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Denver, CO. University Of Colorado Denver graduates 46% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. University Of Colorado Denver Environmental Design students take on a median of $26,582 in debt. Get the full University Of Colorado Denver report
Texas Tech University did well this year, earning the #24 position. Set in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Read the full report on Texas Tech University
University Of Oregon did well this year, earning the #25 position. This public school is set in Eugene, OR. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $15,320, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Typical Environmental Design student debt is $22,034. More on University Of Oregon
Rest of the Top 50 Best Environmental Design Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Based in Tampa, FL, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. The median Environmental Design program debt is $21,829. Get the full University Of South Florida Main Campus report
Florida Atlantic University landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Located in Boca Raton, FL, Florida Atlantic University is a public institution. Florida Atlantic University graduates 63% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Read the full report on Florida Atlantic University
Arizona State University landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Based in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical Environmental Design student debt is $20,500. More on Arizona State University
Utah State University did well this year, earning the #29 position. This public school is set in Logan, UT. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Utah State University Environmental Design students take on a median of $16,191 in debt. Read the full report on Utah State University
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #30 among Environmental Design schools in the United States. Located in San Antonio, TX, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a public institution. The University Of Texas At San Antonio graduates 53% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. The median Environmental Design program debt is $23,312. See the full The University Of Texas At San Antonio profile
University At Buffalo ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Environmental Design schools. Set in Buffalo, NY, University At Buffalo is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. University At Buffalo Environmental Design students take on a median of $19,669 in debt. More on University At Buffalo
Portland State University did well this year, earning the #32 position. Located in Portland, OR, Portland State University is a public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. The median Environmental Design program debt is $26,475. See the full Portland State University profile
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Environmental Design schools. This public school is set in New Brunswick, NJ. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. The median Environmental Design program debt is $25,120. More on Rutgers University New Brunswick
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Environmental Design schools. Based in Albuquerque, NM, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Typical Environmental Design student debt is $19,738. Read more about University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Environmental Design schools. More on Carnegie Mellon University
Lee College
Lee College ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Environmental Design schools. Get the full Lee College report
Hampshire College placed #37 among Environmental Design schools in the United States. See the full Hampshire College profile
Nhti Concords Community College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Environmental Design schools. Get the full Nhti Concords Community College report
Otis College Of Art And Design came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Read more about Otis College Of Art And Design
Portland Community College did well this year, earning the #40 position. Get the full Portland Community College report
Maryland Institute College Of Art landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Maryland Institute College Of Art
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Environmental Design schools. See the full University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras profile
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Environmental Design schools. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Arlington
University Of California Davis landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Read more about University Of California Davis
Delaware Valley College did well this year, earning the #45 position. Get the full Delaware Valley College report
Cornish College Of The Arts placed #46 among Environmental Design schools in the United States. See the full Cornish College Of The Arts profile
Stony Brook University ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Environmental Design schools. Read the full report on Stony Brook University
East Carolina University landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on East Carolina University
University Of Memphis ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Environmental Design schools. More on University Of Memphis
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. More on University Of Missouri Columbia
Best Environmental Design Schools by Degree Level
See the best schools at each degree level:
- Best Environmental Design Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Environmental Design Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Environmental Design Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Environmental Design Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Environmental Design Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Environmental Design Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Environmental Design Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 65 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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