2026 Best Value Architecture And Related Services Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Architecture And Related Services graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 387 institutions 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, Grad Degree evaluated 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 Architecture And Related Services Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Austin, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical Architecture And Related Services student debt is $21,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $75,121 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 27% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about The University Of Texas At Austin
Out of the 387 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Clemson University landed the #2 spot. Set in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Graduates carry a median of $22,765 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,513 ten years after entry. Set against $22,765 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clemson University has an acceptance rate of 38%. More on Clemson University
You'll get strong value at North Carolina State University At Raleigh, which ranked #3 this year. Based in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,823 in student loans. Median earnings reach $68,758 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,823 median debt. About 42% of those who apply are admitted. More on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas Tech University earned it the #4 place in the United States. Located in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Students borrow a median of $22,007 to complete their Architecture And Related Services program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,454. Set against $22,007 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants. See the full Texas Tech University profile
A rank of #5 makes Texas A And M University College Station one of the best values in the United States. Located in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Graduates carry a median of $18,939 in student loans. Median earnings reach $72,097 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $18,939 median debt. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants. Read the full report on Texas A And M University College Station
University Of Kansas came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Lawrence, KS. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Architecture And Related Services program here. University Of Kansas alumni report median earnings of $61,945 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. About 94% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Kansas
University Of California Davis placed #7 among the best-value Architecture And Related Services schools in the United States. Located in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $80,838. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 42% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of California Davis report
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architecture And Related Services schools. Set in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Graduates carry a median of $23,965 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $86,863 ten years after entry. Set against $23,965 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Virginia Main Campus
Roger Williams University landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Bristol, RI, Roger Williams University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,197. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Architecture And Related Services program here. Roger Williams University alumni report median earnings of $70,266 a decade after entry. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roger Williams University admits about 88% of applicants. Read the full report on Roger Williams University
The University Of Texas At Arlington offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Located in Arlington, TX, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. The University Of Texas At Arlington Architecture And Related Services students take on a median of $23,535 in debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington alumni report median earnings of $63,199 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Arlington
University Of Florida landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical Architecture And Related Services student debt is $19,843. Median earnings reach $71,588 ten years out. Set against $19,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Florida
Harvard University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architecture And Related Services schools. Located in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical Architecture And Related Services student debt is $16,616. Median earnings reach $101,817 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%. More on Harvard University
Ball State University offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Ball State University is a public school based in Muncie, IN. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Ball State University Architecture And Related Services students take on a median of $28,670 in debt. Ball State University alumni report median earnings of $51,833 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $28,670 median debt. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. More on Ball State University
Kent State University At Kent offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Based in Kent, OH, Kent State University At Kent is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Typical Architecture And Related Services student debt is $26,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,388. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%. Read the full report on Kent State University At Kent
University Of Pennsylvania offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete their Architecture And Related Services program here. University Of Pennsylvania alumni report median earnings of $111,371 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%. Read more about University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Miami landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Coral Gables, FL, University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,616 in tuition and fees. The median Architecture And Related Services program debt is $17,750. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $75,328. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 19%. More on University Of Miami
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architecture And Related Services schools. This public school is set in Cincinnati, OH. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Graduates carry a median of $22,768 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,810. That is a strong return on a $22,768 median debt. About 85% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
University Of Rhode Island placed #18 among the best-value Architecture And Related Services schools in the United States. Set in Kingston, RI, University Of Rhode Island is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. Students borrow a median of $23,432 to complete their Architecture And Related Services program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $69,743. Set against $23,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Rhode Island
New York Institute Of Technology came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Old Westbury, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $46,560. Graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. New York Institute Of Technology alumni report median earnings of $70,080 a decade after entry. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 81% of those who apply are admitted. More on New York Institute Of Technology
University Of Oregon came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Eugene, OR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,320, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. The median Architecture And Related Services program debt is $19,500. University Of Oregon alumni report median earnings of $61,324 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%. Read more about University Of Oregon
Florida International University offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Based in Miami, FL, Florida International University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Florida International University report
University Of Southern California offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Students borrow a median of $29,263 to complete their Architecture And Related Services program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $92,498. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 10%. More on University Of Southern California
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architecture And Related Services schools. Set in Albuquerque, NM, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,792. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Columbia University In The City Of New York offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Based in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $102,491. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York has an acceptance rate of 4%. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York
Portland State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architecture And Related Services schools. Located in Portland, OR, Portland State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Architecture And Related Services program here. Median earnings reach $57,906 ten years out. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%. Read the full report on Portland State University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Architecture And Related Services Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
The University Of Texas At San Antonio offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Based in San Antonio, TX, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical Architecture And Related Services student debt is $23,443. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,131 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted. See the full The University Of Texas At San Antonio profile
College Of The Desert ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architecture And Related Services schools. Read the full report on College Of The Desert
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architecture And Related Services schools. Read more about City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College
Conway School Of Landscape Design placed #29 among the best-value Architecture And Related Services schools in the United States. Read the full report on Conway School Of Landscape Design
Oakland Community College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architecture And Related Services schools. See the full Oakland Community College profile
University Of California San Diego ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architecture And Related Services schools. Read more about University Of California San Diego
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architecture And Related Services schools. Read the full report on University Of Colorado Boulder
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #33 among the best-value Architecture And Related Services schools in the United States. See the full University Of Nebraska Lincoln profile
Auburn University offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. More on Auburn University
American College Of The Building Arts came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Read more about American College Of The Building Arts
City College Of San Francisco ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architecture And Related Services schools. Read more about City College Of San Francisco
Portland Community College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architecture And Related Services schools. See the full Portland Community College profile
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architecture And Related Services schools. Read the full report on Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #39 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Tulane University Of Louisiana
University Of Louisville came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of Louisville
University Of Maine At Augusta ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architecture And Related Services schools. More on University Of Maine At Augusta
Massachusetts College Of Art And Design placed #42 among the best-value Architecture And Related Services schools in the United States. Read more about Massachusetts College Of Art And Design
New York School Of Interior Design placed #43 among the best-value Architecture And Related Services schools in the United States. More on New York School Of Interior Design
Oral Roberts University offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. More on Oral Roberts University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architecture And Related Services schools. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
Boston University offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Read more about Boston University
Howard University landed the #47 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Howard University report
University Of Colorado Denver landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of Colorado Denver
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architecture And Related Services schools. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
Mercer County Community College came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. See the full Mercer County Community College profile
Related Architecture And Related Services Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Architecture And Related Services Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Architecture And Related Services Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Architecture And Related Services Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Architecture And Related Services Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Architecture And Related Services Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Architecture And Related Services Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Architecture And Related Services Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 387 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).