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Architectural History and Criticism Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

Rice University delivers the nation's most affordable Architectural History and Criticism education at $12,640 net cost, despite its 8.68% acceptance rate making it among the most selective programs available. The $6,000 gap between Rice and University of Washington reflects how elite private colleges can match public affordability through generous aid packages. Graduates enter a field where museum curators, preservation specialists, and architectural critics serve major cultural institutions from the Getty Center to the National Building Museum.
5
Programs
$12,640 – $19,040
Net Price Range
86.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

5 Architectural History and Criticism Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $12,640 $58,128 95.7% 8.7%
2 $13,485 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
3 $17,365 $11,700 68.8% 87.8%
4 $18,246 $67,280 93.4% 7.3%
5 $19,040 $63,946 92.7% 6.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

How do private colleges achieve such low net costs for Architectural History programs?

Rice University and Amherst College demonstrate how substantial endowments enable need-based aid that reduces costs to $12,640 and $18,246 respectively. Both schools meet 100% of demonstrated financial need, making their programs more affordable than many public options for qualifying students.

What explains the wide acceptance rate range among these programs?

Acceptance rates span from Vanderbilt's 6.67% to Kansas's 87.84%, reflecting different institutional priorities and program structures. Highly selective schools like Rice and Amherst typically offer interdisciplinary approaches through art history departments, while larger public universities provide more accessible entry points.

Is the University of Washington's in-state tuition significantly lower than its net price?

Washington residents pay $12,643 in tuition compared to the $13,485 average net price, indicating minimal additional costs beyond tuition. This makes it particularly attractive for state residents pursuing architectural criticism careers in the Pacific Northwest's active design scene.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.