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Best Value Architectural Sciences and Technology Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Public universities dominate the best value market for Architectural Sciences and Technology, with CUNY City College offering net costs as low as $3,486 compared to private alternatives reaching $45,450 at Savannah College of Art and Design. The University of Washington leads earnings potential at $72,134 annually, nearly double the lowest-earning graduates at $37,568. This earnings gap reflects the field's connection to regional construction markets and urban planning sectors, where Pacific Northwest tech company campuses and sustainable building initiatives drive higher compensation. Pennsylvania emerges as a key training ground with three programs, while New York's affordable CUNY system produces graduates entering a metropolitan market where architectural technology specialists support major development projects. Graduation rates vary dramatically from 19.40% to 95.10%, suggesting program rigor and student support differ significantly across institutions. The debt burden remains manageable across most programs, with median debt under $27,000, making this field accessible for students seeking stable technical careers in the built environment.
50
Programs
$3,486 – $55,359
Net Price Range
$45,453
Avg. Program Earnings
69.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Architectural Sciences and Technology Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $4,783 $42,235 $7,332 19.4% 81.8%
2 $13,485 $72,134 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
3 $10,916 $41,937 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
4 $20,709 $45,696 $44,360 56.0% 75.7%
5 $29,219 $44,776 $22,082 74.7% 79.7%
6 $28,163 $42,682 $45,683 68.2% 88.9%
7 $26,084 $37,568 $17,940 50.4%
8 $32,977 $42,682 $23,440 57.1% 29.7%
9 $45,450 $39,369 $40,595 70.5% 81.7%
10 $17,387 $8,710 48.0% 83.2%
11 $27,662 $17,809 81.8% 87.9%
12 $33,139 $61,884 83.2% 64.5%
13 $50,647 $59,683 72.7% 50.5%
14 $55,359 $56,386 71.2% 57.2%
15 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
16 $32,337 $66,014 95.1% 7.5%
17 $17,478 $8,115 52.5% 96.1%
18 $16,496 $19,022 73.1% 66.0%
19 $20,593 $8,083 57.3% 73.3%
20 $26,196 $30,730 61.1% 55.1%
21 $41,026 $63,061 81.4% 51.8%
22 $16,487 $7,541 73.1% 83.1%
23 $21,523 $35,235 66.0% 63.4%
24 $16,378 $10,234 65.9% 70.6%
25 $17,413 $9,595 75.3% 72.9%
26 $21,782 $15,669 71.5% 86.3%
27 $31,671 $63,829 92.5% 11.3%
28 $46,253 $59,760 88.5% 17.4%
29 $18,219 $9,299 59.6% 86.1%
30 $12,640 $58,128 95.7% 8.7%
31 $13,172 $9,315 63.9% 89.1%
32 $23,790 $15,478 86.3% 57.0%
33 $14,401 $12,997 61.6% 83.1%
34 $26,389 $20,572 64.0% 76.7%
35 $12,188 $9,992 41.1% 92.3%
36 $15,960 $13,626 65.9% 86.8%
37 $50,209 $51,640 82.6% 71.0%
38 $42,168 $57,946 58.7% 75.7%
39 $15,624 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%
40 $48,616 $30,291 50.9% 45.0%
41 $37,535 $53,564 70.0% 59.8%
42 $31,927 $68,237 92.0% 12.0%
43 $28,248 $44,886 54.8% 62.6%
44 $19,133 $10,017 47.4% 74.6%
45 $36,803 $59,926 84.2% 18.9%
46 $13,289 $11,764 92.3% 17.1%
47 $13,782 $8,816 60.9% 73.9%
48 $15,201 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
49 $19,353 $51,763 72.4% 61.4%
50 $22,117 $62,982 94.4% 11.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive graduation rate gap from 19.40% to 95.10% among these programs?

Cornell University achieves a 95.10% graduation rate with highly selective admissions accepting just 7.47% of applicants, while CUNY New York City College of Technology graduates only 19.40% despite accepting 81.80%. This reflects differences in student preparation and institutional support rather than program quality. The most accessible programs often serve working adults and transfer students who face completion challenges beyond academics.

How does geographic location affect earnings potential in Architectural Sciences and Technology?

University of Washington graduates earn $72,134 annually, benefiting from Seattle's tech-driven construction boom and sustainable building mandates. Pennsylvania College of Technology graduates earn $37,568, nearly half as much, reflecting regional construction wage differences. Urban markets with major development projects consistently offer higher compensation than smaller metropolitan areas.

Is the debt load reasonable given the earning potential in this field?

Most programs maintain debt levels between $17,000-$31,000, representing manageable loan payments for graduates earning $37,568-$72,134 annually. Cornell graduates carry just $17,315 in debt despite the high sticker price, thanks to generous financial aid. Even the highest debt at Thomas Jefferson University ($31,000) remains below the national average for four-year degrees.

What makes CUNY schools such strong value propositions for this major?

CUNY City College costs just $3,486 net with a 54.70% graduation rate, while CUNY NYC College of Technology charges $4,783 with access to Brooklyn's booming construction market. Both programs connect students to New York's massive infrastructure projects and building technology sector. The low costs make these programs accessible to working-class students entering middle-class careers.

Does program selectivity correlate with better career outcomes in this field?

Not necessarily. Cornell's 7.47% acceptance rate produces the highest graduation rates but lacks earnings data, while Temple University accepts 79.70% and still generates $44,776 in graduate earnings. University of Washington balances moderate selectivity (47.52% acceptance) with the highest earnings at $72,134. Success depends more on regional job markets than admissions standards.

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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.