Best colleges for Architectural Engineering
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of materials, systems, and methods used to construct and equip buildings intended for human habitation or other purposes.
30 U.S. institutions graduated 1,268 Architectural Engineering students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 14.0401, a specialization of Architectural Engineering (CIP 14.04), and leads most directly to the Architectural and Engineering Managers occupation (BLS SOC 11-9041).
About Architectural Engineering programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of materials, systems, and methods used to construct and equip buildings intended for human habitation or other purposes.
See also: 04.0201 - Architecture.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Architectural Engineering program prepares students to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design and development of buildings and structures. This program is ideal for individuals interested in the technical aspects of architecture, focusing on the systems and methods used to construct buildings for various purposes, including human habitation.
Students in this program gain essential skills in reading comprehension, mathematics, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers design principles, engineering technology, project management, and client relations, equipping graduates with a well-rounded knowledge base for the field.
Credentials awarded
What Architectural Engineering graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree975 graduates / yr · 29 institutions77%
- Master's degree202 graduates / yr · 14 institutions16%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate58 graduates / yr · 1 institution4.6%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship33 graduates / yr · 4 institutions2.6%
Graduates over time
Architectural Engineering completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 971 |
| 2013 | 931 |
| 2014 | 850 |
| 2015 | 822 |
| 2016 | 932 |
| 2017 | 930 |
| 2018 | 878 |
| 2019 | 1,017 |
| 2020 | 938 |
| 2021 | 1,012 |
| 2022 | 1,088 |
| 2023 | 1,089 |
| 2024 | 1,182 |
| 2025 | 1,268 |
Top 30 institutions for Architectural Engineering, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field starting salary* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Master's | 227 | 82% | — | $77,115 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania State University University Park, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 181 | 86% | — | $80,070 |
| 3 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 89 | 86% | — | $80,481 |
| 4 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NEPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 60 | 67% | — | — |
| 5 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor's | 59 | 84% | — | — |
| 6 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor's | 58 | 89% | — | $73,510 |
| 7 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 55 | 74% | — | $72,567 |
| 8 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 47 | 71% | — | $74,091 |
| 9 | Milwaukee School of Engineering Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 46 | 67% | $20,167 | — |
| 10 | Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, MOPublicBachelor's | 45 | 64% | — | $73,274 |
| 11 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TXPublicBachelor's | 40 | 54% | — | — |
| 12 | North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NCPublicBachelor's | 37 | 57% | — | $67,152 |
| 13 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 36 | 69% | — | $76,353 |
| 14 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 30 | 78% | $36,004 | $76,272 |
| 15 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 29 | 75% | $19,899 | — |
| 16 | University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 29 | 75% | — | $72,691 |
| 17 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicBachelor's | 28 | 70% | — | — |
| 18 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 24 | 90% | $32,926 | — |
| 19 | Texas A&M University - Kingsville Kingsville, TXPublicBachelor's | 19 | 42% | — | $55,459 |
| 20 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, OKPublicBachelor's | 18 | 75% | — | — |
| 21 | Tennessee State University Nashville, TNPublicBachelor's | 18 | 34% | — | — |
| 22 | University of Wyoming Laramie, WYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 18 | 59% | — | $66,497 |
| 23 | Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OKPublicBachelor's | 17 | 68% | — | — |
| 24 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, ALPublicBachelor's | 16 | 73% | — | — |
| 25 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 16 | 84% | $26,589 | — |
| 26 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor's | 12 | 68% | — | — |
| 27 | Lawrence Technological University Southfield, MIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | 61% | $32,679 | — |
| 28 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon Bayamon, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 35% | $10,334 | — |
| 29 | Tufts University Medford, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 94% | $23,570 | — |
| 30 | University of Detroit Mercy Detroit, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 67% | $16,109 | — |
* Field starting salary (1 yr): median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Architectural Engineering field (CIP 14.04) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 21 states & territories
Where Architectural Engineering graduates come from. Each state links to all Architectural Engineering programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-9041, Architectural and Engineering Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Architectural Engineering program can pursue careers as Architectural and Engineering Managers, among other roles. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth of 3.8% and approximately 14,500 annual openings. The median wage for this field is $167,740, with a typical education requirement of a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 14.0401
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Architectural and Engineering Managersprimary SOC 11-9041 | $171,270 | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~14,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Engineers, All Other SOC 17-2199 | $122,930 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~9,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1032 | $109,270 | +8.1% Much faster than average | ~4,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1031 | $96,870 | +2.0% About as fast as average | ~900 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- 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).
- Experience
- 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.
- Training
- 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.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Architectural Engineering programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Manage the coordination and overall integration of technical activities in architecture or engineering projects.
- Direct, review, or approve project design changes.
- Consult or negotiate with clients to prepare project specifications.
- Prepare budgets, bids, or contracts.
- Present and explain proposals, reports, or findings to clients.
- Confer with management, production, or marketing staff to discuss project specifications or procedures.
Tools and technology used
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Architectural Engineering?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, or a Doctor's degree in this field.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in mathematics, critical thinking, communication, and project management.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as an Architectural and Engineering Manager, among other engineering-related roles.
What is the job outlook for Architectural Engineering graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 3.8% and 14,500 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Architectural Engineering?+
Architectural Engineering is CIP 14.0401 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Architectural Engineering (CIP 14.04). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of materials, systems, and methods used to construct and equip buildings intended for human habitation or other purposes.
How many institutions offer Architectural Engineering programs?+
30 U.S. institutions reported Architectural Engineering graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 21 states & territories, awarding 1,268 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Architectural Engineering graduates.
How much do Architectural Engineering graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Architectural and Engineering Managers occupation, which Architectural Engineering most directly leads to, pays a median of $171,270 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Architectural Engineering field report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $73,510, College Scorecard.
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. This specialization accounts for nearly all Architectural Engineering graduates, so its figures match the Architectural Engineering program page.
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