Best degree programs for Architects, ranked by enrollment
4 college programs and 138 schools train Architects. Compare graduates per year, cost and pay, $99,280 median wage, 106,770 U.S. jobs. Federal data.
4 college programs at 138 schools train architects, graduating 5,369 people a year (IPEDS completions). The largest is Architecture. The job pays a median of $99,280 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About architects
Plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property.
An architect is a person who plans, designs, and oversees the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to provide services in connection with the design of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the buildings that have human occupancy or use as their principal purpose. Etymologically, the term architect derives from the Latin architectus, which derives from the Greek, i.e., chief builder.
Read more on Wikipedia →Fields of study that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level, the tier our program pages are built on. Numbers are graduates per year.
4 degree programs that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are College Scorecard figures for people who finished the program, reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. That is a different measurement from the occupation-wide wages further down this page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Architecturemain feeder CIP 04.0201 | 4,520 | 84.2% | 105 | $47,542 | $27,000 |
| 2 | CIP 04.0401 | 700 | 13.0% | 42 | $40,176 | $22,844 |
| 3 | CIP 04.0801 | 129 | 2.4% | 16 | $30,189 | $25,000 |
| 4 | Architectural Designmain feeder CIP 04.0202 | 20 | 0.4% | 3 | $47,542 | $27,000 |
Top 50 schools by graduates into this job
Counting every feeder program a school offers, not just its largest one.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · 2 feeder programs | 227 | Architecture | 68% | — | 90% |
| 2 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX Public · 2 feeder programs | 211 | Architecture | 69% | — | 73% |
| 3 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO Public · 1 feeder programs | 172 | Environmental Design/Architecture | 74% | — | 78% |
| 4 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL Public · 1 feeder programs | 153 | Architecture | 91% | — | 24% |
| 5 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 151 | Architecture | 84% | — | 57% |
| 6 | The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX Public · 2 feeder programs | 151 | Architecture | 53% | — | 87% |
| 7 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI Public · 1 feeder programs | 151 | Architecture | 49% | — | 91% |
| 8 | Clemson University Clemson, SC Public · 2 feeder programs | 142 | Architecture | 87% | — | 38% |
| 9 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 133 | Architecture | 54% | — | 80% |
| 10 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · 2 feeder programs | 129 | Architecture | 93% | — | 11% |
| 11 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus Fargo, ND Public · 2 feeder programs | 123 | Architecture | 64% | — | 95% |
| 12 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY Public · 2 feeder programs | 118 | Architecture | 75% | — | 74% |
| 13 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 116 | Architecture | 68% | — | 75% |
| 14 | University of Houston Houston, TX Public · 2 feeder programs | 116 | Architecture | 65% | — | 74% |
| 15 | University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras San Juan, PR Public · 2 feeder programs | 114 | Environmental Design/Architecture | 50% | — | 55% |
| 16 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL Public · 2 feeder programs | 108 | Architecture | 62% | — | 77% |
| 17 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · 2 feeder programs | 105 | Environmental Design/Architecture | 85% | — | 42% |
| 18 | Auburn University Auburn, AL Public · 2 feeder programs | 99 | Architecture | 82% | — | 46% |
| 19 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · 1 feeder programs | 98 | Architecture | 85% | — | 80% |
| 20 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Public · 1 feeder programs | 92 | Architecture | 85% | — | 39% |
| 21 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · 1 feeder programs | 86 | Architecture | 93% | — | 16% |
| 22 | University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VA Public · 3 feeder programs | 84 | Architecture | 96% | — | 17% |
| 23 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH Public · 1 feeder programs | 83 | Architecture | 75% | — | 85% |
| 24 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR Public · 1 feeder programs | 78 | Architecture | 71% | — | 74% |
| 25 | Ball State University Muncie, IN Public · 2 feeder programs | 75 | Architecture | 62% | — | 85% |
| 26 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC Public · 1 feeder programs | 69 | Architecture | 69% | — | 80% |
| 27 | University of New Mexico - Main Campus Albuquerque, NM Public · 2 feeder programs | 67 | Architecture | 55% | — | 95% |
| 28 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale, IL Public · 1 feeder programs | 65 | Architecture | 62% | — | 87% |
| 29 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · 3 feeder programs | 60 | Architecture | 89% | — | 27% |
| 30 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 59 | Architecture | 84% | $28,900 | 63% |
| 31 | Howard University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 57 | Architecture | 70% | $48,194 | 41% |
| 32 | Prairie View A & M University Prairie View, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 57 | Architecture | 43% | — | 79% |
| 33 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PA Public · 1 feeder programs | 56 | Architecture | 86% | — | 61% |
| 34 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 56 | Architecture | 95% | $19,452 | 11% |
| 35 | University of South Florida Tampa, FL Public · 2 feeder programs | 55 | Architecture | 77% | — | 43% |
| 36 | El Paso Community College El Paso, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 52 | Architecture | 24% | — | — |
| 37 | Portland State University Portland, OR Public · 2 feeder programs | 51 | Architecture | 53% | — | 91% |
| 38 | Marywood University Scranton, PA Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 46 | Architecture | 72% | $21,769 | 61% |
| 39 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OH Public · 2 feeder programs | 45 | Environmental Design/Architecture | 64% | — | 81% |
| 40 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS Public · 1 feeder programs | 45 | Architecture | 67% | — | 78% |
| 41 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 44 | Architecture | 78% | $36,004 | 79% |
| 42 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · 1 feeder programs | 44 | Architecture | 85% | — | 58% |
| 43 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 41 | Architecture | 96% | $15,315 | 4% |
| 44 | Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico Hato Rey, PR Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 41 | Architecture | 28% | $18,544 | — |
| 45 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FL Public · 1 feeder programs | 41 | Architecture | 78% | — | 40% |
| 46 | Judson University Elgin, IL Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 40 | Architecture | 60% | $25,200 | 48% |
| 47 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI Public · 1 feeder programs | 38 | Environmental Design/Architecture | 64% | — | 87% |
| 48 | California State University - Fresno Fresno, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 37 | Architecture | 57% | — | 95% |
| 49 | University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 37 | Architecture | 70% | $37,121 | 62% |
| 50 | Drury University Springfield, MO Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 36 | Architecture | 62% | $20,482 | 58% |
What architects earn
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
Top-paying states
Top-paying metro areas
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Where the jobs are, state by state
Pick a state for in-state pay, the schools there, and the programs they run.
| State | Median pay | Jobs | Concentration | Schools | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $94,490 | 7,820 | 0.81× | 12 | 984 |
| California | $108,540 | 13,270 | 1.06× | 9 | 388 |
| New York | $99,280 | 10,360 | 1.56× | 10 | 295 |
| Florida | $96,240 | 5,580 | 0.82× | 5 | 264 |
| Pennsylvania | $97,030 | 3,760 | 0.90× | 8 | 263 |
| Arizonalimited | $102,000 | 1,550 | 0.69× | 1 | 227 |
| Illinois | $81,780 | 5,130 | 1.22× | 5 | 223 |
| Coloradolimited | $102,400 | 3,290 | 1.67× | 2 | 175 |
| North Carolinamoderate | $95,700 | 2,980 | 0.88× | 3 | 175 |
| Wisconsinlimited | $98,510 | 1,230 | 0.61× | 1 | 151 |
| South Carolinalimited | $101,550 | 1,030 | 0.65× | 1 | 142 |
| Ohiomoderate | $94,960 | 3,480 | 0.91× | 3 | 135 |
| Indianalimited | $96,060 | 1,430 | 0.65× | 2 | 131 |
| North Dakotalimited | $97,110 | 290 | 0.99× | 1 | 123 |
| Massachusetts | $117,330 | 4,590 | 1.84× | 10 | 114 |
| Alabamamoderate | $95,990 | 990 | 0.68× | 3 | 112 |
| Virginiamoderate | $97,680 | 2,130 | 0.75× | 3 | 106 |
| Michiganmoderate | $88,430 | 2,630 | 0.87× | 4 | 102 |
| Minnesotalimited | $99,940 | 2,340 | 1.16× | 1 | 98 |
| Washingtonlimited | $100,190 | 3,720 | 1.52× | 1 | 92 |
| New Jerseymoderate | $99,800 | 2,390 | 0.81× | 4 | 88 |
| Arkansaslimited | $78,190 | 720 | 0.81× | 1 | 78 |
| New Mexicomoderate | $77,720 | 600 | 1.01× | 3 | 72 |
| District of Columbiamoderate | $102,040 | 1,700 | 3.52× | 3 | 66 |
| Mississippimoderate | $80,870 | 330 | 0.41× | 4 | 64 |
| Oregonlimited | $98,800 | 2,050 | 1.52× | 2 | 63 |
| Missourimoderate | $98,490 | 2,150 | 1.07× | 3 | 52 |
| Vermontmoderate | $82,400 | 320 | 1.52× | 3 | 50 |
| Marylandmoderate | $114,550 | 1,800 | 0.95× | 3 | 44 |
| Tennesseemoderate | $94,030 | 2,570 | 1.14× | 3 | 42 |
| Louisianalimited | $79,580 | 1,200 | 0.90× | 2 | 41 |
| Hawaiilimited | $102,340 | 600 | 1.39× | 1 | 38 |
| Connecticutlimited | $103,540 | 1,200 | 1.03× | 2 | 37 |
| Nevadalimited | $101,570 | 530 | 0.50× | 2 | 32 |
| Oklahomalimited | $100,350 | 910 | 0.77× | 1 | 30 |
| New Hampshirelimited | $101,100 | 250 | 0.53× | 2 | 24 |
| Utahlimited | $95,590 | 1,520 | 1.28× | 2 | 20 |
| Rhode Islandlimited | $105,160 | 550 | 1.60× | 2 | 12 |
| Georgialimited | $100,420 | 2,440 | 0.73× | 2 | 11 |
| Kansaslimited | $85,490 | 840 | 0.85× | 1 | 10 |
| Mainelimited | $78,600 | 500 | 1.13× | 1 | 8 |
| Idaholimited | $93,710 | 850 | 1.44× | 1 | 2 |
| Nebraskalimited | $91,530 | 620 | 0.87× | 1 | 1 |
Skills and tools
From O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor's occupational database. Importance is a 1 to 5 scale.
What they do day to day
- Develop final construction plans that include aesthetic representations of the structure or details for its construction.
- Prepare scale drawings or architectural designs, using computer-aided design or other tools.
- Prepare information regarding design, structure specifications, materials, color, equipment, estimated costs, or construction time.
- Consult with clients to determine functional or spatial requirements of structures.
- Meet with clients to review or discuss architectural drawings.
- Monitor the work of specialists, such as electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, interior designers, or sound specialists to ensure optimal form or function of designs or final structures.
- Integrate engineering elements into unified architectural designs.
- Plan layouts of structural architectural projects.
Skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Active Listening3.9
- Writing3.9
- Monitoring3.8
- Active Learning3.6
- Mathematics3.5
Knowledge areas
- Design4.9
- Building and Construction4.8
- Public Safety and Security4.1
- Engineering and Technology4.0
- Computers and Electronics4.0
- English Language4.0
Abilities
- Visualization4.1
- Fluency of Ideas4.0
- Inductive Reasoning4.0
- Deductive Reasoning4.0
- Category Flexibility4.0
- Information Ordering4.0
Core activities
- Working with Computers4.7
- Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment4.5
- Thinking Creatively4.5
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.4
- Getting Information4.4
- Documenting/Recording Information4.3
Tools and technology
hotmarks an O*NET hot technologyHow to get in
How to become a Architect
Job zone 5 of 5 · SVP 8.0 and above- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 4 majors mapped to Architects4 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 04.0201Architecture
- 04.0202Architectural Design
- 04.0401Environmental Design/Architecture
- 04.0801Architectural History and Criticism, General
Related careers
Jobs O*NET identifies as close to this one, with their own pay and outlook.
Common questions
What degree do you need to become an Architect?+
Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Architecture, which awarded 4,520 degrees in 2024-25, 84.2% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming an Architect?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 4 programs to this occupation. The largest are Architecture, Environmental Design, Architectural History. Together they graduate about 5,369 people a year.
How much do architects earn?+
The median is $99,280 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). The middle range runs from $62,300 at the 10th percentile to $161,420 at the 90th. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for architects growing?+
BLS projects a +3.9% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, about as fast as average, with roughly 7,800 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career?+
138 institutions reported graduates from at least one of the 4 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
What other job titles do architects work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Planner, Architect, Design Architect, Project Architect among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 17-1011.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024-25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
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