2026 Best Value Architectural Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Architectural Engineering master’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 30 colleges 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 reviewed 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Our analysis found University Of Nebraska Lincoln to be the best-value Architectural Engineering school in the United States. Based in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, 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. University Of Nebraska Lincoln alumni report median earnings of $56,887 a decade after entry. 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
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lawrence Technological University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Based in Southfield, MI, Lawrence Technological University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,760 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $27,799 in student loans. 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. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Lawrence Technological University report
A rank of #2 makes California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo one of the best values in the United States. Based in San Luis Obispo, CA, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Students borrow a median of $25,116 to complete their Architectural Engineering program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $90,768. Set against $25,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 31% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Out of the 30 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Auburn University landed the #5 spot. 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. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants. More on Auburn University
Kansas State University came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Located in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Typical Architectural Engineering student debt is $27,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%. Get the full Kansas State University report
Milwaukee School Of Engineering placed #7 among the best-value Architectural Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Milwaukee, WI, Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $50,480. Milwaukee School Of Engineering Architectural Engineering students take on a median of $27,667 in debt. Median earnings reach $89,070 ten years out. Set against $27,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Milwaukee School Of Engineering has an acceptance rate of 59%. More on Milwaukee School Of Engineering
University Of Wyoming landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Laramie, WY, University Of Wyoming is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,880. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Wyoming
Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Set in Chicago, IL, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete their Architectural Engineering program here. Median earnings reach $82,592 ten years out. Set against $26,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%. More on Illinois Institute Of Technology
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering schools. Located in Boulder, CO, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. University Of Colorado Boulder Architectural Engineering students take on a median of $15,165 in debt. Median earnings reach $69,738 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $15,165 median debt. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants. Read more about University Of Colorado Boulder
Drexel University placed #11 among the best-value Architectural Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Typical Architectural Engineering student debt is $31,000. Median earnings reach $84,648 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Drexel University has an acceptance rate of 79%. Get the full Drexel University report
University Of Miami placed #12 among the best-value Architectural Engineering schools in the United States. University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit school based in Coral Gables, FL. In-state tuition and fees average $62,616. Graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Median earnings reach $75,328 ten years out. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Miami has an acceptance rate of 19%. Read more about University Of Miami
Tennessee State University came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Tennessee State University
Missouri University Of Science And Technology placed #13 among the best-value Architectural Engineering schools in the United States. Read the full report on Missouri University Of Science And Technology
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering schools. See the full University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus profile
Texas A And M University College Station offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report
University Of Kansas offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. See the full University Of Kansas profile
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering schools. Read more about University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. See the full North Carolina A And T State University profile
University Of Detroit Mercy ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering schools. More on University Of Detroit Mercy
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering schools. Read more about Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Worcester Polytechnic Institute came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. See the full Worcester Polytechnic Institute profile
Oregon State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering schools. Get the full Oregon State University report
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering schools. Get the full The University Of Texas At Arlington report
Texas A And M University Kingsville came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Texas A And M University Kingsville
Tufts University
Tufts University placed #25 among the best-value Architectural Engineering schools in the United States. More on Tufts University
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Architectural Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
The University Of Alabama ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering schools. Get the full The University Of Alabama report
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full The University Of Texas At Austin profile
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus profile
University Of Arizona landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full University Of Arizona profile
Front Range Community College placed #30 among the best-value Architectural Engineering schools in the United States. Get the full Front Range Community College report
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 Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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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