2026 Best Value Architectural Engineering Schools
Looking for the best-value Architectural Engineering programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 30 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.
To arm you with the information you need, 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 Architectural Engineering Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Our analysis found Lawrence Technological University to be the best-value Architectural Engineering school in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Southfield, MI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,760. Typical Architectural Engineering student debt is $27,799. Graduates go on to earn a median of $69,151 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lawrence Technological University admits about 56% of applicants. More on Lawrence Technological University
You'll get strong value at University Of Nebraska Lincoln, which ranked #2 this year. This public school is set in Lincoln, NE. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. University Of Nebraska Lincoln Architectural Engineering students take on a median of $22,386 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,887. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 88% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Out of the 30 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #3 spot. Set in San Luis Obispo, CA, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo Architectural Engineering students take on a median of $25,116 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $90,768 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,116 median debt. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants. Read more about California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
A rank of #4 makes Auburn University one of the best values in the United States. This public school is set in Auburn, AL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete their Architectural Engineering program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $65,337. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted. More on Auburn University
Kansas State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering schools. Kansas State University is a public school based in Manhattan, KS. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Kansas State University Architectural Engineering students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Kansas State University alumni report median earnings of $57,262 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 82% of those who apply are admitted. More on Kansas State University
University Of Wyoming landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Laramie, WY. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. The median Architectural Engineering program debt is $20,283. University Of Wyoming alumni report median earnings of $56,880 a decade after entry. Set against $20,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 97% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Wyoming
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering schools. Located in Cincinnati, OH, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Typical Architectural Engineering student debt is $25,880. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,810. That is a strong return on a $25,880 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 85%. More on University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering schools. This public school is set in Stillwater, OK. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,413 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oklahoma State University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 75%. Read the full report on Oklahoma State University Main Campus
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #10 among the best-value Architectural Engineering schools in the United States. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public school based in Norman, OK. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,138 to complete their Architectural Engineering program here. Median earnings reach $63,126 ten years out. Set against $23,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants. Read more about University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Milwaukee School Of Engineering landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Milwaukee, WI, Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,480. Typical Architectural Engineering student debt is $27,667. Graduates go on to earn a median of $89,070 ten years after entry. Set against $27,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 59% of those who apply are admitted. More on Milwaukee School Of Engineering
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Set in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Texas A And M University College Station Architectural Engineering students take on a median of $20,031 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $72,097. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%. Read the full report on Texas A And M University College Station
The University Of Texas At Austin offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $25,701 to complete their Architectural Engineering program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $75,121. Set against $25,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%. Read more about The University Of Texas At Austin
The University Of Alabama placed #14 among the best-value Architectural Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Tuscaloosa, AL, The University Of Alabama is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. The median Architectural Engineering program debt is $24,496. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,221. Set against $24,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants. Get the full The University Of Alabama report
University Of Kansas placed #15 among the best-value Architectural Engineering schools in the United States. This public school is set in Lawrence, KS. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. University Of Kansas Architectural Engineering students take on a median of $23,000 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,945. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants. More on University Of Kansas
Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Based in Rolla, MO, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $82,957 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants. Read the full report on Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Oregon State University landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Corvallis, OR, Oregon State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Graduates carry a median of $24,043 in student loans. Oregon State University alumni report median earnings of $64,010 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 77% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Oregon State University report
University Of Arizona came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Tucson, AZ. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical Architectural Engineering student debt is $21,861. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,979. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. University Of Arizona has an acceptance rate of 86%. Get the full University Of Arizona report
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering schools. This public school is set in Boulder, CO. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. University Of Colorado Boulder Architectural Engineering students take on a median of $15,165 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $69,738. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%. Read the full report on University Of Colorado Boulder
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #20 among the best-value Architectural Engineering schools in the United States. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public school based in Arlington, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical Architectural Engineering student debt is $21,632. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,199. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted. Read more about The University Of Texas At Arlington
Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Based in Chicago, IL, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,202. Graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $82,592. That is a strong return on a $26,774 median debt. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants. Read the full report on Illinois Institute Of Technology
Tennessee State University offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Tennessee State University is a public school based in Nashville, TN. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Tennessee State University Architectural Engineering students take on a median of $29,489 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee State University has an acceptance rate of 70%. Read the full report on Tennessee State University
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Based in Greensboro, NC, North Carolina A And T State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. The median Architectural Engineering program debt is $28,608. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,440 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%. See the full North Carolina A And T State University profile
Texas A And M University Kingsville offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Located in Kingsville, TX, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Texas A And M University Kingsville Architectural Engineering students take on a median of $24,743 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,450 ten years after entry. Set against $24,743 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants. Get the full Texas A And M University Kingsville report
Worcester Polytechnic Institute offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Based in Worcester, MA, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,765. Worcester Polytechnic Institute Architectural Engineering students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Worcester Polytechnic Institute alumni report median earnings of $103,470 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted. See the full Worcester Polytechnic Institute profile
Drexel University offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Typical Architectural Engineering student debt is $31,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $84,648 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants. Get the full Drexel University report
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Architectural Engineering Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
University Of Miami offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit school based in Coral Gables, FL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,616. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete their Architectural Engineering program here. Median earnings reach $75,328 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%. See the full University Of Miami profile
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. See the full Pennsylvania State University Main Campus profile
University Of Detroit Mercy placed #28 among the best-value Architectural Engineering schools in the United States. See the full University Of Detroit Mercy profile
Front Range Community College placed #29 among the best-value Architectural Engineering schools in the United States. Read the full report on Front Range Community College
Tufts University
Tufts University placed #30 among the best-value Architectural Engineering schools in the United States. Read more about Tufts University
Best Value Architectural Engineering Schools by Degree Level
Compare value rankings by degree level:
- Best Value Architectural Engineering Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Architectural Engineering Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Architectural Engineering Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Architectural Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Architectural Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Architectural Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Architectural Engineering 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 30 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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