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2026 Best Value Architectural Engineering Technology Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology associate’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 95 colleges 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.
So you can compare your options, Trade College analyzed 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 Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Brigham Young University Idaho tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology associate's degree schools in the United States. Located in Rexburg, ID, Brigham Young University Idaho is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. The median Architectural Engineering Technology program debt is $13,287. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,406. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%. More on Brigham Young University Idaho
You'll get strong value at Western Technical College La Cross, which ranked #2 this year. This public school is set in La Crosse, WI. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,303 ten years after entry. Set against $13,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Western Technical College La Cross report
Madison Area Technical College came in at #3 on this year's best-value Architectural Engineering Technology ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Madison, WI. In-state tuition and fees average $4,977, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Typical Architectural Engineering Technology student debt is $16,812. Madison Area Technical College alumni report median earnings of $45,413 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Madison Area Technical College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeast Technical Institute earned it the #4 place in the United States. Based in Sioux Falls, SD, Southeast Technical Institute is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,650 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,442 to complete their Architectural Engineering Technology program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $46,709. Set against $18,442 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Southeast Technical Institute
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #5 on this year's best-value Architectural Engineering Technology ranking in the United States. Set in Green Bay, WI, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, compared with $7,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,188 to complete their Architectural Engineering Technology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,553. That is a strong return on a $14,188 median debt. Get the full Northeast Wisconsin Technical College report
North Dakota State College Of Science ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,973. Typical Architectural Engineering Technology student debt is $15,706. Median earnings reach $50,513 ten years out. Set against $15,706 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on North Dakota State College Of Science
Del Mar College landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Corpus Christi, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete their Architectural Engineering Technology program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Del Mar College report
Greenville Technical College landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Greenville, SC, Greenville Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,495, with out-of-state students paying around $10,775. Greenville Technical College Architectural Engineering Technology students take on a median of $16,411 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,473 ten years after entry. Set against $16,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Greenville Technical College profile
Ferris State University placed #9 among the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Located in Big Rapids, MI, Ferris State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. 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 has an acceptance rate of 91%. See the full Ferris State University profile
Ranken Technical College placed #10 among the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Located in Saint Louis, MO, Ranken Technical College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,008. The median Architectural Engineering Technology program debt is $13,989. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $55,955. Set against $13,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Ranken Technical College report
Midlands Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Set in West Columbia, SC, Midlands Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $14,700. Midlands Technical College Architectural Engineering Technology students take on a median of $17,611 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,701 ten years after entry. Set against $17,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Midlands Technical College report
Tarrant County College District offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Tarrant County College District is a public school based in Fort Worth, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Tarrant County College District Architectural Engineering Technology students take on a median of $15,148 in debt. Median earnings reach $42,727 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Tarrant County College District profile
Front Range Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools. This public school is set in Westminster, CO. Students from in state pay about $4,663 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,263 for out-of-state students. Front Range Community College Architectural Engineering Technology students take on a median of $17,384 in debt. Median earnings reach $45,910 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $17,384 median debt. See the full Front Range Community College profile
Sinclair Community College landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Dayton, OH. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. The median Architectural Engineering Technology program debt is $12,525. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,558 ten years after entry. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Sinclair Community College
Erie Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools. This public school is set in Buffalo, NY. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Erie Community College Architectural Engineering Technology students take on a median of $12,580 in debt. Erie Community College alumni report median earnings of $41,228 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,580 median debt. Read the full report on Erie Community College
Hudson Valley Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools. Set in Troy, NY, Hudson Valley Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,796 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,868 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,460 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,868 median debt. Get the full Hudson Valley Community College report
Northern Kentucky University placed #16 among the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Set in Highland Heights, KY, Northern Kentucky University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. The median Architectural Engineering Technology program debt is $22,738. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $50,220. Set against $22,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants. More on Northern Kentucky University
New England Institute Of Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. Set in East Greenwich, RI, New England Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,275. Graduates carry a median of $32,834 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,684. Set against $32,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted. Read more about New England Institute Of Technology
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi offered strong value this year, earning the #19 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, compared with $12,762 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,303 in student loans. Suny College Of Technology At Delhi alumni report median earnings of $51,629 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College Of Technology At Delhi admits about 89% of applicants. Read more about Suny College Of Technology At Delhi
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools. Located in Alfred, NY, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,892 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,837. Typical Architectural Engineering Technology student debt is $27,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,445 ten years after entry. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Suny College Of Technology At Alfred
Fairmont State University landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Fairmont, WV, Fairmont State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,708, while out-of-state students pay about $18,924. Typical Architectural Engineering Technology student debt is $26,447. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,857 ten years after entry. Set against $26,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted. See the full Fairmont State University profile
Nashville State Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools. Set in Nashville, TN, Nashville State Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,730, compared with $17,714 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,745 in student loans. Median earnings reach $38,519 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Nashville State Community College
Pellissippi State Community College landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Knoxville, TN, Pellissippi State Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,786, compared with $17,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,951 to complete their Architectural Engineering Technology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,440. That is a strong return on a $8,951 median debt. More on Pellissippi State Community College
Vermont Technical College placed #24 among the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Based in Randolph, VT, Vermont Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,952, with out-of-state students paying around $22,296. Graduates carry a median of $24,208 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,331. That is a strong return on a $24,208 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted. More on Vermont Technical College
Coconino Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools. Get the full Coconino Community College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Architectural Engineering Technology Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Essex County College came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Essex County College
Guilford Technical Community College came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Guilford Technical Community College report
Massasoit Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. More on Massasoit Community College
Copiah Lincoln Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. More on Copiah Lincoln Community College
Sandhills Community College landed the #30 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Sandhills Community College
Forsyth Technical Community College ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools. Read more about Forsyth Technical Community College
Mt Hood Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Get the full Mt Hood Community College report
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. More on Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
Alpena Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. See the full Alpena Community College profile
Northcentral Technical College ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools. Read more about Northcentral Technical College
Northampton County Area Community College came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Northampton County Area Community College
Mott Community College landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Mott Community College profile
Triton College
Triton College offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. Read the full report on Triton College
University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. See the full University Of Southern Mississippi profile
Bates Technical College ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools. More on Bates Technical College
Santa Fe Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. See the full Santa Fe Community College profile
University Of Hartford ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools. Read the full report on University Of Hartford
Wilkes Community College placed #43 among the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools in the United States. See the full Wilkes Community College profile
Cape Fear Community College landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Cape Fear Community College
Weber State University offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. See the full Weber State University profile
Community College Of Denver offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Get the full Community College Of Denver report
Orange County Community College placed #47 among the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Read more about Orange County Community College
Clover Park Technical College placed #48 among the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools in the United States. See the full Clover Park Technical College profile
Owens Community College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools. More on Owens Community College
Gateway Technical College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural Engineering Technology schools. See the full Gateway Technical College profile
Related Architectural Engineering Technology Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Architectural Engineering Technology Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Architectural Engineering Technology Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Architectural Engineering Technology Undergraduate Certificate 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
This list is compiled by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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).
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