2026 Best Value Architectural Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Architectural Engineering bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 30 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.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed 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 Architectural Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Leading the list is California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, our #1 best-value Architectural Engineering school in the United States. This public school is set in San Luis Obispo, CA. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Students borrow a median of $25,116 to complete their Architectural Engineering program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $90,768 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 31%. Read the full report on California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Auburn University earned it the #2 place 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. Auburn University Architectural Engineering students take on a median of $22,000 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $65,337. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%. See the full Auburn University profile
A rank of #3 makes Kansas State University one of the best values in the United States. Based in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $57,262 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants. Get the full Kansas State University report
Out of the 30 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Wyoming landed the #4 spot. University Of Wyoming is a public school based in Laramie, WY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Typical Architectural Engineering student debt is $20,283. University Of Wyoming alumni report median earnings of $56,880 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. University Of Wyoming has an acceptance rate of 97%. Read the full report on University Of Wyoming
You'll get strong value at University Of Nebraska Lincoln, which ranked #5 this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public school based in Lincoln, NE. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete their Architectural Engineering program here. Median earnings reach $56,887 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $22,386 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public school based in Cincinnati, OH. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Graduates carry a median of $25,880 in student loans. Median earnings reach $54,810 ten years out. Set against $25,880 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%. Read more about University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. The median Architectural Engineering program debt is $22,337. Oklahoma State University Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $57,413 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants. More on Oklahoma State University Main Campus
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Students borrow a median of $23,138 to complete their Architectural Engineering program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,126 ten years after entry. Set against $23,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%. More on University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Texas A And M University College Station offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Based in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 57% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Texas A And M University College Station profile
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #10 among the best-value Architectural Engineering schools in the United States. This public school is set in Austin, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $25,701 to complete their Architectural Engineering program here. The University Of Texas At Austin alumni report median earnings of $75,121 a decade after entry. Set against $25,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
The University Of Alabama ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering schools. This public school is set in Tuscaloosa, AL. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. The University Of Alabama Architectural Engineering students take on a median of $24,496 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,221 ten years after entry. Set against $24,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants. See the full The University Of Alabama profile
University Of Kansas landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete their Architectural Engineering program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,945. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas has an acceptance rate of 94%. Read more about University Of Kansas
Missouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Rolla, MO, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. The median Architectural Engineering program debt is $27,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $82,957. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. About 72% of those who apply are admitted. More on Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Oregon State University placed #14 among the best-value Architectural Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Corvallis, OR, Oregon State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Oregon State University Architectural Engineering students take on a median of $24,043 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $64,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oregon State University has an acceptance rate of 77%. Read the full report on Oregon State University
Milwaukee School Of Engineering placed #15 among the best-value Architectural Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Milwaukee, WI, Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,480. Graduates carry a median of $27,667 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $89,070. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Milwaukee School Of Engineering admits about 59% of applicants. Get the full Milwaukee School Of Engineering report
University Of Arizona came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Set in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. The median Architectural Engineering program debt is $21,861. University Of Arizona alumni report median earnings of $59,979 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Arizona report
The University Of Texas At Arlington offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public school based in Arlington, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. The University Of Texas At Arlington Architectural Engineering students take on a median of $21,632 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,199. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 80% of those who apply are admitted. More on The University Of Texas At Arlington
University Of Colorado Boulder placed #18 among the best-value Architectural Engineering schools in the United States. University Of Colorado Boulder is a public school based in Boulder, CO. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Typical Architectural Engineering student debt is $15,165. University Of Colorado Boulder alumni report median earnings of $69,738 a decade after entry. Set against $15,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Colorado Boulder
Tennessee State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering schools. Tennessee State University is a public school based in Nashville, TN. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. The median Architectural Engineering program debt is $29,489. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%. See the full Tennessee State University profile
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. North Carolina A And T State University is a public school based in Greensboro, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $28,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants. See the full North Carolina A And T State University profile
Texas A And M University Kingsville ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering schools. Based in Kingsville, TX, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,743 in student loans. Median earnings reach $51,450 ten years out. Set against $24,743 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. More on Texas A And M University Kingsville
Worcester Polytechnic Institute ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering schools. Set in Worcester, MA, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,765. Typical Architectural Engineering student debt is $27,000. Worcester Polytechnic Institute alumni report median earnings of $103,470 a decade after entry. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 60% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Worcester Polytechnic Institute profile
Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Located in Chicago, IL, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $52,202. The median Architectural Engineering program debt is $26,774. Graduates go on to earn a median of $82,592 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants. Read the full report on Illinois Institute Of Technology
Drexel University came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete their Architectural Engineering program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $84,648. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Drexel University
University Of Miami offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Located in Coral Gables, FL, University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,616. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete their Architectural Engineering program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $75,328. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 19% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Miami report
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Architectural Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Front Range Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Read the full report on Front Range Community College
Tufts University
Tufts University landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Tufts University report
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #28 among the best-value Architectural Engineering schools in the United States. More on Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Of Detroit Mercy offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Read the full report on University Of Detroit Mercy
Lawrence Technological University came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Lawrence Technological University report
Related Architectural Engineering Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Architectural Engineering Schools (All Levels)
- 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 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. 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 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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