Best institutions to study Architectural History
Compare 25 U.S. colleges offering Architectural History by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 15 states.
Architectural History programs report a median of $30,189 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 04.08 and the Historians occupation (BLS SOC).
About Architectural History programs
The Architectural History, Criticism, and Conservation program explores the evolution of architecture across different cultures and time periods. It is designed for students interested in understanding the historical context of architectural practices and the significance of preserving historical structures. This program combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills to prepare students for various roles in the field of architecture and related services.
Students will develop core skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers historical research methods, the analysis of architectural styles, and the principles of conservation, equipping students with a well-rounded understanding of both historical and contemporary architectural practices.
Top 1 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DePaul University Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,189 | 9 | 68% | $28,141 | — |
Offered across 15 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinoislimited | 2 | $30,189 | DePaul University |
| Californialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Floridalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Georgialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Massachusetts | 6 | — | — |
| Missourilimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Mexicolimited | 1 | — | — |
| New York | 3 | — | — |
| Ohiolimited | 1 | — | — |
| Oklahomalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Pennsylvanialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Rhode Islandlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Tennesseelimited | 2 | — | — |
| Texaslimited | 2 | — | — |
| Virginialimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3093, Historians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Architectural History program can pursue careers in various fields related to architecture and conservation. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 2.2% and approximately 300 annual openings. The median wage for positions in this area is around $74,050, with many roles requiring a master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Architectural History
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 04.08.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 04.08 (Architectural History, Criticism, and Conservation) maps to 3 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 17-1011 | Architects, Except Landscape and Naval |
| 19-3093 | Historiansprimary |
| 25-1031 | Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Architectural History programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Gather historical data from sources such as archives, court records, diaries, news files, and photographs, as well as from books, pamphlets, and periodicals.
- Organize data, and analyze and interpret its authenticity and relative significance.
- Prepare publications and exhibits, or review those prepared by others, to ensure their historical accuracy.
- Organize information for publication and for other means of dissemination, such as via storage media or the Internet.
- Conduct historical research as a basis for the identification, conservation, and reconstruction of historic places and materials.
- Conserve and preserve manuscripts, records, and other artifacts.
Concentrations within Architectural History
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Architectural History and Criticism, GeneralCIP 04.0801
A general program that focuses on the aesthetic, technical, and social development of the built environment and the architectural profession from earliest times to the present
- Architectural ConservationCIP 04.0802
A program that focuses on the architectural design principles and building techniques used in historic structures and environments, and the process of saving and restoring old buildings and districts
- Architectural StudiesCIP 04.0803
A program that focuses on the study of architecture, cities, landscapes, designed objects, ornament, architectural photography, and material culture in diverse places and time periods, and the social
- Architectural History, Criticism, and Conservation, OtherCIP 04.0899
Any instructional program in architectural history, criticism, and conservation not listed above.
Common questions
What is the focus of the Architectural History program?+
The program focuses on the evolution of architecture, including historical context, criticism, and conservation.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
Students will enhance skills in critical thinking, writing, research, and effective communication.
What are the career prospects after graduation?+
Graduates can expect about 300 annual job openings, with a median wage of $74,050.
What level of education is typically required for careers in this field?+
Most positions require a master's degree in Architectural History or a related field.
How much do Architectural History graduates earn?+
Architectural History graduates report median earnings of $30,189 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Historians occupation pays about $81,240 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Architectural History?+
Architectural History maps to CIP 04.08 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card