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2026 Best Value Architectural Engineering Technology Schools
Looking for the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 95 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on 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, Trade College 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 Technology Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Leading the list is Brigham Young University Idaho, our #1 best-value Architectural Engineering Technology school in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Rexburg, ID. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,406 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Idaho has an acceptance rate of 96%. Read more about Brigham Young University Idaho
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Technical College La Cross earned it the #2 place in the United States. Based in La Crosse, WI, Western Technical College La Cross is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Graduates carry a median of $13,669 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,303. Set against $13,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Western Technical College La Cross
A rank of #3 makes Madison Area Technical College one of the best values in the United States. Madison Area Technical College is a public school based in Madison, WI. Students from in state pay about $4,977 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Typical Architectural Engineering Technology student debt is $16,812. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Madison Area Technical College profile
Out of the 95 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Southeast Technical Institute landed the #4 spot. Located in Sioux Falls, SD, Southeast Technical Institute is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,650. The median Architectural Engineering Technology program debt is $18,442. Median earnings reach $46,709 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Southeast Technical Institute
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earned it the #5 place in the United States. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a public school based in Green Bay, WI. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, compared with $7,203 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,188 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,553. Set against $14,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Northeast Wisconsin Technical College report
North Dakota State College Of Science landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Wahpeton, ND, North Dakota State College Of Science is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,974 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,973 for out-of-state students. North Dakota State College Of Science Architectural Engineering Technology students take on a median of $15,706 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,513 ten years after entry. Set against $15,706 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full North Dakota State College Of Science report
Del Mar College came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Set in Corpus Christi, TX, Del Mar College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,656 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Del Mar College profile
Greenville Technical College placed #8 among the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Set in Greenville, SC, Greenville Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,495, with out-of-state students paying around $10,775. Students borrow a median of $16,411 to complete their Architectural Engineering Technology program here. Greenville Technical College alumni report median earnings of $39,473 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Greenville Technical College
Ferris State University landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. Ferris State University is a public school based in Big Rapids, MI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Ferris State University Architectural Engineering Technology students take on a median of $14,589 in debt. Ferris State University alumni report median earnings of $54,735 a decade after entry. Set against $14,589 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants. Read more about Ferris State University
University Of Southern Mississippi offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. This public school is set in Hattiesburg, MS. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Typical Architectural Engineering Technology student debt is $25,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,140 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 99% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Southern Mississippi
Ranken Technical College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools. Ranken Technical College is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Louis, MO. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,008. Students borrow a median of $13,989 to complete their Architectural Engineering Technology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,955 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Ranken Technical College
Midlands Technical College landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. Midlands Technical College is a public school based in West Columbia, SC. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Midlands Technical College Architectural Engineering Technology students take on a median of $17,611 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,701. Set against $17,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Midlands Technical College profile
Tarrant County College District placed #13 among the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools in the United States. This public school is set in Fort Worth, TX. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. The median Architectural Engineering Technology program debt is $15,148. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Tarrant County College District
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical Architectural Engineering Technology student debt is $19,270. Purdue University Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $72,424 a decade after entry. Set against $19,270 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%. Read more about Purdue University Main Campus
Weber State University came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Set in Ogden, UT, Weber State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical Architectural Engineering Technology student debt is $19,176. Median earnings reach $56,287 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Weber State University
Front Range Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. This public school is set in Westminster, CO. In-state tuition and fees average $4,663, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. The median Architectural Engineering Technology program debt is $17,384. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,910. Set against $17,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Front Range Community College profile
Seminole State College Of Florida came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Sanford, FL. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,122, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Seminole State College Of Florida alumni report median earnings of $41,733 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Read more about Seminole State College Of Florida
Sinclair Community College landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Dayton, OH, Sinclair Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete their Architectural Engineering Technology program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $37,558. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt. See the full Sinclair Community College profile
Erie Community College placed #19 among the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Located in Buffalo, NY, Erie Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete their Architectural Engineering Technology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,228. That is a strong return on a $12,580 median debt. More on Erie Community College
Northern Kentucky University offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Located in Highland Heights, KY, Northern Kentucky University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Northern Kentucky University Architectural Engineering Technology students take on a median of $22,738 in debt. Northern Kentucky University alumni report median earnings of $50,220 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,738 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%. Read more about Northern Kentucky University
Hudson Valley Community College landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Troy, NY. Students from in state pay about $6,796 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Hudson Valley Community College Architectural Engineering Technology students take on a median of $12,868 in debt. Hudson Valley Community College alumni report median earnings of $45,460 a decade after entry. Set against $12,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Hudson Valley Community College
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Located in Indianapolis, IN, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $21,717 to complete their Architectural Engineering Technology program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $55,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%. Read more about Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Fairmont State University landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Fairmont, WV, Fairmont State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,708, with out-of-state students paying around $18,924. The median Architectural Engineering Technology program debt is $26,447. Median earnings reach $46,857 ten years out. Set against $26,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fairmont State University has an acceptance rate of 99%. Read the full report on Fairmont State University
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Suny College Of Technology At Delhi is a public school based in Delhi, NY. Students from in state pay about $8,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,762. Typical Architectural Engineering Technology student debt is $20,303. Median earnings reach $51,629 ten years out. Set against $20,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College Of Technology At Delhi has an acceptance rate of 89%. More on Suny College Of Technology At Delhi
New England Institute Of Technology landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in East Greenwich, RI, New England Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,275. New England Institute Of Technology Architectural Engineering Technology students take on a median of $32,834 in debt. Median earnings reach $48,684 ten years out. Set against $32,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New England Institute Of Technology has an acceptance rate of 67%. See the full New England Institute Of Technology profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Architectural Engineering Technology Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Located in Alfred, NY, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,892, while out-of-state students pay about $16,837. The median Architectural Engineering Technology program debt is $27,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,445. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 76% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Suny College Of Technology At Alfred profile
Farmingdale State College placed #27 among the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Located in Farmingdale, NY, Farmingdale State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Farmingdale State College Architectural Engineering Technology students take on a median of $16,825 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $69,781. That is a strong return on a $16,825 median debt. Farmingdale State College has an acceptance rate of 63%. Read the full report on Farmingdale State College
Nashville State Community College came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Located in Nashville, TN, Nashville State Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,730, compared with $17,714 for out-of-state students. Nashville State Community College Architectural Engineering Technology students take on a median of $16,745 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,519. Set against $16,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Nashville State Community College
Pellissippi State Community College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools. Based in Knoxville, TN, Pellissippi State Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,786, compared with $17,770 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $8,951 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,440 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $8,951 median debt. See the full Pellissippi State Community College profile
University Of Hartford ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools. Set in West Hartford, CT, University Of Hartford is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,075. The median Architectural Engineering Technology program debt is $27,000. University Of Hartford alumni report median earnings of $60,823 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 96% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Hartford report
Vermont Technical College came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Vermont Technical College is a public school based in Randolph, VT. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,952, while out-of-state students pay about $22,296. The median Architectural Engineering Technology program debt is $24,208. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $50,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vermont Technical College admits about 82% of applicants. Read more about Vermont Technical College
Coastal Carolina Community College placed #32 among the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Get the full Coastal Carolina Community College report
Mt Hood Community College landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Mt Hood Community College profile
Augusta Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. Read more about Augusta Technical College
Santa Fe Community College came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. See the full Santa Fe Community College profile
Rutgers University Camden ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools. Get the full Rutgers University Camden report
Columbus State Community College came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Columbus State Community College
Orange County Community College came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. More on Orange County Community College
Wilkes Community College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools. See the full Wilkes Community College profile
Nhti Concords Community College landed the #40 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Nhti Concords Community College
Coconino Community College placed #41 among the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools in the United States. More on Coconino Community College
Delta College
Delta College landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Delta College
Holmes Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. Get the full Holmes Community College report
Massasoit Community College placed #44 among the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Read the full report on Massasoit Community College
Northampton County Area Community College came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. More on Northampton County Area Community College
Copiah Lincoln Community College landed the #46 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Copiah Lincoln Community College profile
Southwest Tennessee Community College came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Southwest Tennessee Community College
Zane State College came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. See the full Zane State College profile
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of California Santa Cruz report
Northcentral Technical College landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Northcentral Technical College
Best Value Architectural Engineering Technology Schools by Degree Level
Explore value rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Value Architectural Engineering Technology Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Architectural Engineering Technology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Architectural Engineering Technology Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Architectural Engineering Technology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Architectural Engineering Technology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Architectural Engineering Technology Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Architectural Engineering Technology Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Trade College (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 95 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).