Best colleges for Architecture in New York
Ranked by graduate earnings
University at Buffalo, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Columbia University award the most Architecture degrees in New York: 62, 59 and 28 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 8 New York colleges offer Architecture and award 218 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Architecture program offers students an in-depth exploration of architectural design and construction. Typically spanning three to four years, this program prepares students for advanced studies in architecture or a professional career…
Top 3 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,334 | 59 | 84% | $28,900 | $31,000 |
| 2 | University at Buffalo Buffalo Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,622 | 62 | 75% | — | $22,854 |
| 3 | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred Alfred Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $49,192 | 16 | 55% | — | $31,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Architecture degrees in New York
Top 8 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University at Buffalo Buffalo Public | 62 | $37,622 |
| 2 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy Private not-for-profit | 59 | $54,334 |
| 3 | Columbia University New York Private not-for-profit | 28 | Not reported |
| 4 | The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art New York Private not-for-profit | 25 | Not reported |
| 5 | Barnard College New York Private not-for-profit | 16 | Not reported |
| 6 | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred Alfred Public | 16 | $49,192 |
| 7 | Ithaca College Ithaca Private not-for-profit | 10 | Not reported |
| 8 | SUNY College of Technology at Delhi Delhi Public | 2 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Architects, Except Landscape and Naval (SOC 17-1011).
Top skills
What Architects, Except Landscape and Naval earn in New York
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Architecture programs in New York.
Which New York colleges award the most Architecture degrees?+
University at Buffalo (62 graduates a year), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (59 graduates a year) and Columbia University (28 graduates a year) award the most Architecture degrees in New York, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 8 New York colleges offer Architecture.
Which Architecture program in New York has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute tops the list at $54,334. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Architects, Except Landscape and Naval earn in New York?+
The average annual wage for Architects, Except Landscape and Naval in New York is $111,890 (median $99,280), across about 10,360 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Architecture program?+
The Architecture program offers students an in-depth exploration of architectural design and construction. Typically spanning three to four years, this program prepares students for advanced studies in architecture or a professional career…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, speaking, reading comprehension, active listening, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Architects, Except Landscape and Naval?+
The national job outlook is about +3.9% growth with around 7,800 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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