Best colleges for Architectural Sciences and Technology
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Architectural Sciences and Technology by graduate earnings are University of Washington-Seattle Campus ($81,377), University of Massachusetts-Amherst ($64,939) and California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ($58,653), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus (Seattle, WA): $81,377, 145 graduates a year
- University of Massachusetts-Amherst (Amherst, MA): $64,939, 140 graduates a year
- California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, CA): $58,653, 146 graduates a year
- Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY): $58,622, 155 graduates a year
- Pratt Institute (Brooklyn, NY): $58,246, 240 graduates a year
Compare 185 U.S. colleges offering Architectural Sciences and Technology by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 44 states.
Architectural Sciences and Technology programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $48,514 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 04.09 and the Architectural and Civil Drafters occupation (BLS SOC).
About Architectural Sciences and Technology programs
The Architectural Sciences and Technology program focuses on the principles and practices involved in architecture and related services. This program is designed for students interested in understanding the technical aspects of building design and construction, providing a solid foundation for those looking to enter the field of architecture or construction management.
Students in this program will gain essential skills in design, building and construction, and engineering technology. Coursework typically includes training in computer-assisted drafting (CAD), analysis of building codes, and the creation of detailed architectural plans and drawings.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $81,377 | 145 | 85% | — | $18,977 |
| 2 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $64,939 | 140 | 83% | — | $23,750 |
| 3 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $58,653 | 146 | 86% | — | $23,500 |
| 4 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $58,622 | 155 | 84% | $28,851 | $31,000 |
| 5 | Pratt Institute Brooklyn, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $58,246 | 240 | 74% | $49,088 | $31,000 |
| 6 | Iowa State University Ames, IA Public · Bachelor's degree | $57,928 | 109 | 75% | — | $31,000 |
| 7 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,797 | 180 | 86% | — | $30,750 |
| 8 | Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,272 | 40 | 68% | — | $28,000 |
| 9 | Rhode Island School of Design Providence, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $55,673 | 90 | 89% | $41,764 | — |
| 10 | Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $55,334 | 87 | 69% | $26,034 | $31,000 |
| 11 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,428 | 159 | 95% | $17,613 | $17,315 |
| 12 | Temple University Philadelphia, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,267 | 98 | 75% | — | $27,000 |
| 13 | New York Institute of Technology Old Westbury, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,115 | 147 | 59% | $22,158 | $29,000 |
| 14 | Washington State University Pullman, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,561 | 78 | 60% | — | $27,000 |
| 15 | New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,961 | 132 | 73% | — | $31,000 |
| 16 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $48,514 | 51 | 94% | $23,803 | $29,000 |
| 17 | Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, GA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $48,181 | 98 | 69% | $44,902 | $24,643 |
| 18 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,874 | 144 | 92% | $26,873 | $30,625 |
| 19 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,255 | 94 | 68% | — | $31,000 |
| 20 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,953 | 151 | 46% | — | $24,150 |
| 21 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,102 | 149 | 85% | — | $21,291 |
| 22 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,717 | 78 | 65% | — | — |
| 23 | Woodbury University Burbank, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,484 | 88 | 60% | $28,493 | $39,750 |
| 24 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $37,948 | 181 | 75% | $19,899 | $31,343 |
| 25 | University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,089 | 22 | 55% | — | $22,500 |
Top 4 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dunwoody College of Technology Minneapolis, MN Private not-for-profit · Associate degree | $44,690 | 63 | 66% | $25,132 | $18,500 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PA Public · Associate degree | $41,418 | 56 | 53% | — | $27,000 |
| 3 | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Lancaster, PA Public · Associate degree Small program | $43,244 | 14 | 71% | — | — |
| 4 | Texas State Technical College Waco, TX Public · Associate degree Small program | $36,265 | 8 | 46% | — | $9,875 |
Specializations within Architectural Sciences and Technology
3 of the 3 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 04.09 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 44 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-3011, Architectural and Civil Drafters, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Architectural Sciences and Technology program can pursue various careers in architecture and construction. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 4.1% and approximately 10,000 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this area is $64,280, and a typical education requirement is an associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Architectural Sciences and Technology
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 04.09.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 04.09 (Architectural Sciences and Technology) 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 |
|---|---|
| 11-9041 | Architectural and Engineering Managers |
| 17-3011 | Architectural and Civil Draftersprimary |
| 25-1031 | Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Architectural Sciences and Technology 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
- Produce drawings, using computer-assisted drafting systems (CAD) or drafting machines, or by hand, using compasses, dividers, protractors, triangles, and other drafting devices.
- Draft plans and detailed drawings for structures, installations, and construction projects, such as highways, sewage disposal systems, and dikes, working from sketches or notes.
- Coordinate structural, electrical, and mechanical designs and determine a method of presentation to graphically represent building plans.
- Analyze building codes, by-laws, space and site requirements, and other technical documents and reports to determine their effect on architectural designs.
- Draw maps, diagrams, and profiles, using cross-sections and surveys, to represent elevations, topographical contours, subsurface formations, and structures.
- Lay out and plan interior room arrangements for commercial buildings, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment and software.
Common questions
What types of specializations are available?+
Specializations include Architectural Technology/Technician, Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology, and other related fields.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, mathematics, and active listening.
What tasks will I be able to perform after completing this program?+
You will be able to produce drawings, draft plans, analyze building codes, and represent topographical features.
What is the typical education level for careers in this field?+
Most careers in Architectural Sciences and Technology require an associate's degree.
How much do Architectural Sciences and Technology graduates earn?+
Architectural Sciences and Technology graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $48,514, College Scorecard (2019); the Architectural and Civil Drafters occupation pays about $70,740 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Architectural Sciences and Technology?+
Architectural Sciences and Technology maps to CIP 04.09 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.
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