2026 Best Value Architectural Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region
[Architectural Engineering](/majors/engineering/architectural-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for architectural engineering students.
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2026 Best Value Architectural Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the architectural engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Architectural Engineering Schools
The University Of Texas At Arlington tops our 2026 list of the best value architectural engineering schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical student debt for architectural engineering graduates is $21,632. Early-career architectural engineering graduates make about $55,304. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Kingsville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architectural engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,743 to complete the architectural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $55,459. That is a strong return on a $24,743 median debt. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Arizona came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural engineering schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural engineering graduates is $21,861. Early-career architectural engineering graduates make about $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Oklahoma State University Main Campus one of the best values for architectural engineering. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural engineering graduates is $22,337. Architectural Engineering graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,993 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus one of the best values for architectural engineering. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Architectural Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans. Early-career architectural engineering graduates make about $58,084. That is a strong return on a $23,138 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #6 among the best values for architectural engineering. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Architectural Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,701 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $73,510. That is a strong return on a $25,701 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #7 among the best values for architectural engineering. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the architectural engineering program here. Architectural Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,891 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
