2026 Best Value Environmental Design Schools
Looking for the best-value Environmental Design programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 65 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Environmental Design Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
North Dakota State University Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Environmental Design programs schools in the United States. Located in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,153 to complete their Environmental Design program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,203 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Dakota State University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 95%. Read more about North Dakota State University Main Campus
You'll get strong value at The University Of Texas At Austin, which ranked #2 this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical Environmental Design student debt is $21,275. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $75,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
You'll get strong value at Clemson University, which ranked #3 this year. Clemson University is a public school based in Clemson, SC. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Clemson University Environmental Design students take on a median of $23,783 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $71,513. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Clemson University report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned it the #4 place in the United States. Located in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University Environmental Design students take on a median of $23,393 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $81,698. That is a strong return on a $23,393 median debt. About 55% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report
A rank of #5 makes North Carolina State University At Raleigh one of the best values in the United States. Based in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Graduates carry a median of $25,759 in student loans. North Carolina State University At Raleigh alumni report median earnings of $68,758 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,759 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh has an acceptance rate of 42%. See the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh profile
Texas Tech University offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Set in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Texas Tech University alumni report median earnings of $62,454 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University has an acceptance rate of 73%. Read more about Texas Tech University
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $86,863. That is a strong return on a $18,627 median debt. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Virginia Main Campus report
University Of Houston came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Set in Houston, TX, University Of Houston is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. University Of Houston Environmental Design students take on a median of $21,255 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%. More on University Of Houston
Florida Atlantic University landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. Florida Atlantic University is a public school based in Boca Raton, FL. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Florida Atlantic University Environmental Design students take on a median of $16,250 in debt. Florida Atlantic University alumni report median earnings of $56,746 a decade after entry. Set against $16,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants. Read the full report on Florida Atlantic University
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public school based in Bowling Green, OH. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical Environmental Design student debt is $27,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,896. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants. Read the full report on Bowling Green State University Main Campus
University Of Georgia landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. University Of Georgia Environmental Design students take on a median of $21,792 in debt. Median earnings reach $68,726 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants. See the full University Of Georgia profile
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. The median Environmental Design program debt is $20,031. Texas A And M University College Station alumni report median earnings of $72,097 a decade after entry. Set against $20,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%. Read the full report on Texas A And M University College Station
Auburn University came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Auburn University is a public school based in Auburn, AL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Students borrow a median of $25,375 to complete their Environmental Design program here. Median earnings reach $65,337 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,375 median debt. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants. Get the full Auburn University report
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Environmental Design schools. Set in Tampa, FL, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical Environmental Design student debt is $21,829. University Of South Florida Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $57,743 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants. Get the full University Of South Florida Main Campus report
Boston Architectural College offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Boston Architectural College is a private not-for-profit school based in Boston, MA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,470. Boston Architectural College Environmental Design students take on a median of $53,192 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,123. Set against $53,192 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Boston Architectural College profile
Iowa State University landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Ames, IA. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical Environmental Design student debt is $23,495. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,386 ten years after entry. Set against $23,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%. Read more about Iowa State University
University Of California Berkeley landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of California Berkeley is a public school based in Berkeley, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $92,446. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. About 11% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Set in Denver, CO, University Of Colorado Denver is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. University Of Colorado Denver Environmental Design students take on a median of $26,582 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $64,270. Set against $26,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 75% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Colorado Denver report
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. The median Environmental Design program debt is $21,577. Median earnings reach $69,020 ten years out. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%. See the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities profile
University Of Miami ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Environmental Design schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Coral Gables, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,616. University Of Miami Environmental Design students take on a median of $17,750 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $75,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 19% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Miami report
Ball State University landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Muncie, IN. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. The median Environmental Design program debt is $24,518. Ball State University alumni report median earnings of $51,833 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%. Read the full report on Ball State University
Marywood University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Environmental Design schools. Set in Scranton, PA, Marywood University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,420. Graduates carry a median of $27,744 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,817. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marywood University has an acceptance rate of 61%. Read the full report on Marywood University
Utah State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Environmental Design schools. This public school is set in Logan, UT. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete their Environmental Design program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,022. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted. See the full Utah State University profile
University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #24 among the best-value Environmental Design schools in the United States. This public school is set in Honolulu, HI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. The median Environmental Design program debt is $22,047. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,624. That is a strong return on a $22,047 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%. See the full University Of Hawaii At Manoa profile
University Of Oregon came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Located in Eugene, OR, University Of Oregon is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. The median Environmental Design program debt is $22,034. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,324 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,034 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Oregon report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Environmental Design Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Arizona State University offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Based in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. The median Environmental Design program debt is $20,500. Median earnings reach $62,668 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants. Read more about Arizona State University
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Boulder, CO. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Students borrow a median of $23,641 to complete their Environmental Design program here. Median earnings reach $69,738 ten years out. Set against $23,641 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%. Read more about University Of Colorado Boulder
University Of Pennsylvania offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $111,371. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
The University Of Texas At San Antonio offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. This public school is set in San Antonio, TX. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio has an acceptance rate of 87%. Read more about The University Of Texas At San Antonio
University Of Southern California ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Environmental Design schools. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Typical Environmental Design student debt is $15,625. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $92,498. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. University Of Southern California has an acceptance rate of 10%. More on University Of Southern California
Portland State University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Environmental Design schools. Located in Portland, OR, Portland State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Portland State University Environmental Design students take on a median of $26,475 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,906. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. About 91% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Portland State University report
University At Buffalo ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Environmental Design schools. Located in Buffalo, NY, University At Buffalo is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,669 to complete their Environmental Design program here. Median earnings reach $70,814 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%. Get the full University At Buffalo report
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Albuquerque, NM, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. University Of New Mexico Main Campus Environmental Design students take on a median of $19,738 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,792. Set against $19,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Mexico Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 95%. More on University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Environmental Design schools. Based in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Graduates carry a median of $25,120 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $74,479. Set against $25,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%. Get the full Rutgers University New Brunswick report
Oral Roberts University offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Get the full Oral Roberts University report
University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus landed the #36 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus profile
Maryland Institute College Of Art ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Environmental Design schools. See the full Maryland Institute College Of Art profile
Portland Community College placed #38 among the best-value Environmental Design schools in the United States. Read more about Portland Community College
Otis College Of Art And Design ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Environmental Design schools. Get the full Otis College Of Art And Design report
Central New Mexico Community College placed #40 among the best-value Environmental Design schools in the United States. More on Central New Mexico Community College
Lee College
Lee College landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Lee College
Michigan State University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Environmental Design schools. See the full Michigan State University profile
Stony Brook University ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Environmental Design schools. Read the full report on Stony Brook University
Cornish College Of The Arts came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Cornish College Of The Arts
Delaware Valley College came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Delaware Valley College
Miami University Oxford offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Get the full Miami University Oxford report
Harvard University offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. Get the full Harvard University report
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Environmental Design schools. See the full University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras profile
Cornell University came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Cornell University report
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Environmental Design schools. Read more about The University Of Texas At Arlington
Best Value Environmental Design Schools by Degree Level
Compare value rankings by degree level:
- Best Value Environmental Design Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Environmental Design Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Environmental Design Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Environmental Design Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Environmental Design Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Environmental Design Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Environmental Design Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 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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