2026 Best Value Architectural Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Architectural Engineering doctoral degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 30 schools 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 analyzed schools to build 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 Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat University Of Nebraska Lincoln this year in the United States. Set in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. Median earnings reach $56,887 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $22,386 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Nebraska Lincoln report
You'll get strong value at Illinois Institute Of Technology, which ranked #2 this year. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,202. Graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $82,592 ten years after entry. 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
Out of the 30 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #3 spot. Located in Boulder, CO, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,165 in student loans. University Of Colorado Boulder alumni report median earnings of $69,738 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 78% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Colorado Boulder
You'll get strong value at Tufts University, which ranked #4 this year. See the full Tufts University profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lawrence Technological University earned it the #5 place in the United States. Read the full report on Lawrence Technological University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Read more about California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of Kansas placed #7 among the best-value Architectural Engineering schools in the United States. Get the full University Of Kansas report
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus profile
Kansas State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering schools. See the full Kansas State University profile
Oregon State University landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Oregon State University
Milwaukee School Of Engineering ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering schools. Read more about Milwaukee School Of Engineering
Drexel University offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Get the full Drexel University report
Texas A And M University Kingsville ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering schools. More on Texas A And M University Kingsville
University Of Detroit Mercy ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering schools. See the full University Of Detroit Mercy profile
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #15 among the best-value Architectural Engineering schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
University Of Miami ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering schools. Get the full University Of Miami report
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Missouri University Of Science And Technology
University Of Wyoming offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. See the full University Of Wyoming profile
The University Of Alabama landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full The University Of Alabama report
Worcester Polytechnic Institute placed #21 among the best-value Architectural Engineering schools in the United States. Get the full Worcester Polytechnic Institute report
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering schools. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report
University Of Arizona offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Read more about University Of Arizona
Front Range Community College placed #24 among the best-value Architectural Engineering schools in the United States. Get the full Front Range Community College report
Auburn University offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. More on Auburn University
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Architectural Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Tennessee State University placed #26 among the best-value Architectural Engineering schools in the United States. More on Tennessee State University
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #27 among the best-value Architectural Engineering schools in the United States. See the full Pennsylvania State University Main Campus profile
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus report
North Carolina A And T State University placed #29 among the best-value Architectural Engineering schools in the United States. Read more about North Carolina A And T State University
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #30 among the best-value Architectural Engineering schools in the United States. See the full The University Of Texas At Arlington profile
Related Architectural Engineering Value Rankings
Explore 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Architectural Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Architectural Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published 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).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.