2026 Best Value Environmental Design Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Environmental Design bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 65 colleges 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 evaluated schools to compile 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Fargo, ND. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. North Dakota State University Main Campus Environmental Design students take on a median of $25,153 in debt. North Dakota State University Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $62,203 a decade after entry. Set against $25,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants. See the full North Dakota State University Main Campus profile
Out of the 65 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #2 spot. Located in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. The median Environmental Design program debt is $25,759. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,758 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh has an acceptance rate of 42%. Get the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh report
A rank of #3 makes University Of Houston one of the best values in the United States. Based in Houston, TX, University Of Houston is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete their Environmental Design program here. University Of Houston alumni report median earnings of $62,377 a decade after entry. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%. Read the full report on University Of Houston
You'll get strong value at Florida Atlantic University, which ranked #4 this year. Set in Boca Raton, FL, Florida Atlantic University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Florida Atlantic University Environmental Design students take on a median of $16,250 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,746. Set against $16,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted. See the full Florida Atlantic University profile
You'll get strong value at Bowling Green State University Main Campus, which ranked #5 this year. Based in Bowling Green, OH, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. The median Environmental Design program debt is $27,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,896. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Bowling Green State University Main Campus report
Auburn University placed #6 among the best-value Environmental Design schools in the United States. Located in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. 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. About 46% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Auburn University profile
University Of California Berkeley came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Based in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. University Of California Berkeley Environmental Design students take on a median of $14,238 in debt. Median earnings reach $92,446 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%. See the full University Of California Berkeley profile
Boston Architectural College landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Boston, MA, Boston Architectural College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,470. The median Environmental Design program debt is $53,192. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,123. Set against $53,192 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Boston Architectural College report
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public school based in Minneapolis, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Median earnings reach $69,020 ten years out. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 80% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Ball State University landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. Ball State University is a public school based in Muncie, IN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. The median Environmental Design program debt is $24,518. Median earnings reach $51,833 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,518 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted. See the full Ball State University profile
Marywood University placed #11 among the best-value Environmental Design schools in the United States. Marywood University is a private not-for-profit school based in Scranton, PA. In-state tuition and fees average $41,420. Marywood University Environmental Design students take on a median of $27,744 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,817. That is a strong return on a $27,744 median debt. Marywood University has an acceptance rate of 61%. More on Marywood University
Utah State University landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Logan, UT, Utah State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Graduates carry a median of $16,191 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,022 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. Utah State University has an acceptance rate of 92%. More on Utah State University
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Located in Honolulu, HI, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Median earnings reach $57,624 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 87% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Hawaii At Manoa report
Arizona State University offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Located in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete their Environmental Design program here. Arizona State University alumni report median earnings of $62,668 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Arizona State University has an acceptance rate of 90%. More on Arizona State University
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Boulder, CO, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Students borrow a median of $23,641 to complete their Environmental Design program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $69,738 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 78% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Colorado Boulder report
University At Buffalo placed #16 among the best-value Environmental Design schools in the United States. Located in Buffalo, NY, University At Buffalo is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. University At Buffalo Environmental Design students take on a median of $19,669 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $70,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants. Get the full University At Buffalo report
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #17 among the best-value Environmental Design schools in the United States. Located in Albuquerque, NM, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete their Environmental Design program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,792 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%. See the full University Of New Mexico Main Campus profile
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in New Brunswick, NJ. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. The median Environmental Design program debt is $25,120. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $74,479. Set against $25,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants. More on Rutgers University New Brunswick
University Of Georgia landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full University Of Georgia profile
Portland State University came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. See the full Portland State University profile
University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus report
Union County College placed #22 among the best-value Environmental Design schools in the United States. Read the full report on Union County College
Clemson University came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Clemson University
Stony Brook University landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Stony Brook University
University Of Colorado Denver placed #25 among the best-value Environmental Design schools in the United States. See the full University Of Colorado Denver profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Environmental Design Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
University Of Idaho came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Idaho report
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #27 among the best-value Environmental Design schools in the United States. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report
Michigan State University landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Michigan State University profile
Cornell University placed #29 among the best-value Environmental Design schools in the United States. More on Cornell University
Iowa State University offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Read more about Iowa State University
The University Of Texas At Arlington offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Arlington
East Carolina University ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Environmental Design schools. Read the full report on East Carolina University
Maryland Institute College Of Art placed #33 among the best-value Environmental Design schools in the United States. Read the full report on Maryland Institute College Of Art
Portland Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. Get the full Portland Community College report
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Get the full University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras report
Texas Tech University landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Texas Tech University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Cornish College Of The Arts came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Cornish College Of The Arts report
University Of California Davis offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. See the full University Of California Davis profile
Hampshire College offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. More on Hampshire College
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Environmental Design schools. Get the full University Of Missouri Columbia report
Oral Roberts University offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. See the full Oral Roberts University profile
Otis College Of Art And Design landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Otis College Of Art And Design
University Of Miami came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Miami
Delaware Valley College placed #46 among the best-value Environmental Design schools in the United States. Read more about Delaware Valley College
University Of Southern California placed #47 among the best-value Environmental Design schools in the United States. See the full University Of Southern California profile
Miami University Oxford landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Miami University Oxford
Northeastern University offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. Read more about Northeastern University
University Of California Irvine offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. Read the full report on University Of California Irvine
Related Environmental Design Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Environmental Design Schools (All Levels)
- 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Environmental Design Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Environmental Design Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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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