2026 Best Value Other Architecture Schools
Looking for the best-value Other Architecture programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 27 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh 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 Other Architecture Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat Boston Architectural College this year in the United States. Set in Boston, MA, Boston Architectural College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,470 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $53,192 to complete their Other Architecture program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,123 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $53,192 median debt. Read more about Boston Architectural College
A rank of #2 makes University Of Virginia Main Campus one of the best values in the United States. Based in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. The median Other Architecture program debt is $18,627. Median earnings reach $86,863 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 17% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Virginia Main Campus profile
You'll get strong value at Kansas State University, which ranked #3 this year. This public school is set in Manhattan, KS. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. Kansas State University alumni report median earnings of $57,262 a decade after entry. Set against $23,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted. See the full Kansas State University profile
Out of the 27 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Louisiana Tech University landed the #4 spot. Based in Ruston, LA, Louisiana Tech University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,125, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. Typical Other Architecture student debt is $27,000. Louisiana Tech University alumni report median earnings of $52,279 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Louisiana Tech University
New York University placed #6 among the best-value Other Architecture schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete their Other Architecture program here. Median earnings reach $82,509 ten years out. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New York University has an acceptance rate of 9%. Read the full report on New York University
University Of Oregon placed #7 among the best-value Other Architecture schools in the United States. University Of Oregon is a public school based in Eugene, OR. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,320, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. Typical Other Architecture student debt is $22,034. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants. More on University Of Oregon
University Of Louisiana Lafayette came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Located in Lafayette, LA, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,418, while out-of-state students pay about $24,146. The median Other Architecture program debt is $25,738. University Of Louisiana Lafayette alumni report median earnings of $47,089 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%. Read more about University Of Louisiana Lafayette
University Of Southern California came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $92,498 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California has an acceptance rate of 10%. More on University Of Southern California
University Of Utah ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Other Architecture schools. This public school is set in Salt Lake City, UT. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. The median Other Architecture program debt is $20,798. University Of Utah alumni report median earnings of $67,170 a decade after entry. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Utah profile
Portland State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Other Architecture schools. Portland State University is a public school based in Portland, OR. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete their Other Architecture program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,906 ten years after entry. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. See the full Portland State University profile
University Of Arizona landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Tucson, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. University Of Arizona Other Architecture students take on a median of $26,500 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,979 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Arizona
Cornell University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Other Architecture schools. Get the full Cornell University report
Northwestern University offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. More on Northwestern University
Hobart William Smith Colleges ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Other Architecture schools. Get the full Hobart William Smith Colleges report
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Columbia University In The City Of New York report
Mercer County Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Read the full report on Mercer County Community College
East Los Angeles College landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. More on East Los Angeles College
Andrews University offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. Read the full report on Andrews University
Principia College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Other Architecture schools. Get the full Principia College report
New Jersey Institute Of Technology landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full New Jersey Institute Of Technology report
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Other Architecture schools. Read more about University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Chippewa Valley Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Read more about Chippewa Valley Technical College
Dodge City Community College landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Dodge City Community College profile
Florida International University placed #24 among the best-value Other Architecture schools in the United States. Read the full report on Florida International University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Other Architecture schools. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Other Architecture Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Mount Holyoke College offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Get the full Mount Holyoke College report
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #27 among the best-value Other Architecture schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Best Value Other Architecture Schools by Degree Level
See the best values at each degree level:
- Best Value Other Architecture Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Other Architecture Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Other Architecture Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Other Architecture Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Other Architecture Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Other Architecture Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Other Architecture Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled 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 27 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).