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Cheapest Architectural Engineering Colleges

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Tennessee State University stands out with a remarkably low net price of $10,026 for Architectural Engineering students, making it the most affordable option among these programs. This represents significant savings compared to other schools on the list, where costs can reach over $20,000 annually. The field of Architectural Engineering has grown increasingly important across the Southeast and Mountain West regions, where building codes and seismic considerations demand specialized expertise. Students entering this field can expect median earnings ranging from $53,810 to $69,338 upon graduation. Programs like Missouri University of Science and Technology demonstrate strong return on investment, with graduates earning $65,066 despite a net price of $13,773. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo achieves an impressive 85.20% graduation rate while maintaining reasonable costs at $15,624 net price. The acceptance rates vary dramatically across these programs, from Cal Poly's competitive 30.43% to Texas A&M Kingsville's accessible 96.55%, giving students options regardless of their academic profile.
29
Programs
$10,026 – $43,273
Net Price Range
$64,430
Avg. Program Earnings
69.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

29 Architectural Engineering Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $10,026 $8,568 33.0%
2 $10,204 $9,892 45.6% 96.6%
3 $10,980 $6,748 55.3% 56.4%
4 $11,779 $6,938 59.8% 96.0%
5 $12,791 $8,370 47.5% 85.9%
6 $13,773 $14,278 63.6% 81.5%
7 $15,235 $11,728 56.5% 80.8%
8 $15,624 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%
9 $15,960 $13,626 65.9% 86.8%
10 $16,179 $32,300 68.1% 90.5%
11 $16,378 $10,234 65.9% 70.6%
12 $17,365 $11,700 68.8% 87.8%
13 $17,413 $9,595 75.3% 72.9%
14 $17,424 $10,108 65.8% 78.6%
15 $17,722 $12,594 51.2% 79.0%
16 $17,883 $10,942 70.5% 95.1%
17 $19,353 $51,763 72.4% 61.4%
18 $19,568 $13,494 70.6% 82.5%
19 $19,678 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
20 $20,924 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
21 $21,480 $16,430 75.0% 80.7%
22 $22,150 $11,900 73.7% 80.1%
23 $23,156 $13,570 71.5% 86.2%
24 $23,897 $12,536 79.2% 43.7%
25 $24,021 $48,421 71.5% 63.5%
26 $35,435 $67,844 93.3% 9.7%
27 $36,803 $59,926 84.2% 18.9%
28 $38,428 $60,663 77.1% 79.6%
29 $43,273 $59,070 88.4% 57.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Tennessee State University the most affordable option for Architectural Engineering?

Tennessee State University offers the lowest net price at $10,026 annually, with an in-state tuition of just $8,568. The school provides significant financial aid that brings costs down substantially from the published tuition rates. While the graduation rate sits at 33%, the extremely low cost makes it an attractive option for students prioritizing affordability. The program prepares students for careers in the growing Nashville construction market.

How do graduation rates vary among these affordable programs?

Graduation rates span a wide range from Tennessee State's 33% to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's impressive 85.20%. Missouri University of Science and Technology achieves a solid 63.60% graduation rate while maintaining reasonable costs. University of Oklahoma Norman demonstrates strong student success with a 75.30% graduation rate at a net price of $17,413. These variations often reflect admission selectivity and student support resources.

Is the earning potential worth the investment for these programs?

North Carolina A&T State graduates earn a median of $53,810 with a relatively low net price of $10,980, providing excellent value. Missouri University of Science and Technology graduates command higher salaries at $65,066, justifying the slightly higher cost of $13,773. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduates earn $63,005, making the $15,624 investment highly worthwhile. The debt levels remain manageable, with several schools reporting under $25,000 in average student debt.

Does admission competitiveness affect program quality at these schools?

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo maintains the highest selectivity at 30.43% acceptance rate while achieving the best graduation rate of 85.20%. Texas A&M Kingsville accepts 96.55% of applicants but still maintains a respectable 45.60% graduation rate. Missouri University of Science and Technology balances moderate selectivity at 81.49% acceptance with strong outcomes including $65,066 graduate earnings. The data suggests that both selective and accessible programs can deliver quality education in Architectural Engineering.

Where do these affordable programs offer the best regional job opportunities?

Texas schools like UT Arlington and Texas A&M Kingsville benefit from the state's massive construction industry and energy sector growth. California's Cal Poly San Luis Obispo connects students to both Silicon Valley tech campuses and earthquake-resistant design projects. Missouri University of Science and Technology serves the Midwest manufacturing corridor where Architectural Engineers work on industrial facilities. Oklahoma and Kansas programs support regional oil and gas infrastructure projects requiring specialized building expertise.

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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.