Best institutions to study Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology
A program that focuses on the application of advanced technology to building design and construction, retrofitting existing buildings, and efficient operation of buildings, including lighting and daylight design, acoustics, solar design, building conservation, and energy-conscious design.
124 U.S. institutions graduated 9,098 Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 04.0902, a specialization of Architectural Sciences and Technology (CIP 04.09), and leads most directly to the Architectural and Civil Drafters occupation (BLS SOC 17-3011).
About Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology programs
A program that focuses on the application of advanced technology to building design and construction, retrofitting existing buildings, and efficient operation of buildings, including lighting and daylight design, acoustics, solar design, building conservation, and energy-conscious design. Includes instruction in architecture, building technology, civil and structural engineering, mechanical engineering, environmental control systems, sustainability, and computer tools and applications.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology program focuses on the integration of advanced technology in building design and construction. It is ideal for students interested in enhancing their skills in efficient building operation, retrofitting existing structures, and sustainable design practices. This program prepares graduates for a variety of roles in the architecture and construction industries.
Students in this program gain essential skills in design, building technology, and engineering principles. Coursework typically covers areas such as environmental control systems, sustainability, and the use of computer tools for drafting and modeling, equipping them with the knowledge needed to excel in the field.
Credentials awarded
What Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree4,541 graduates / yr · 105 institutions50%
- Bachelor's degree4,294 graduates / yr · 75 institutions47%
- Associate's degree93 graduates / yr · 11 institutions1.0%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate61 graduates / yr · 5 institutions0.7%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship49 graduates / yr · 11 institutions0.5%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year30 graduates / yr · 5 institutions0.3%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice17 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
- Post-master's certificate13 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 176 |
| 2013 | 122 |
| 2014 | 165 |
| 2015 | 524 |
| 2016 | 730 |
| 2017 | 2,112 |
| 2018 | 2,982 |
| 2019 | 4,535 |
| 2020 | 5,853 |
| 2021 | 6,003 |
| 2022 | 6,677 |
| 2023 | 8,154 |
| 2024 | 8,524 |
| 2025 | 9,098 |
Top 50 institutions for Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology, 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 earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pratt Institute - Main Brooklyn, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sAssociate's | 240 | 74% | $49,088 | $58,246 |
| 2 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 238 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 3 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert.DoctoralAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 236 | 69% | — | — |
| 4 | Wentworth Institute of Technology Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 182 | 68% | $32,713 | — |
| 5 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 182 | 97% | $22,055 | — |
| 6 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 181 | 75% | $19,899 | $37,948 |
| 7 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 180 | 86% | — | $56,797 |
| 8 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 163 | 89% | — | — |
| 9 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 159 | 95% | $17,613 | $50,428 |
| 10 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 155 | 84% | $26,589 | — |
| 11 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 155 | 84% | $28,851 | $58,622 |
| 12 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 153 | 74% | — | — |
| 13 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, COPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 151 | 46% | — | $43,953 |
| 14 | Boston Architectural College Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 150 | 32% | $41,647 | — |
| 15 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 149 | 85% | — | $41,102 |
| 16 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 147 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 17 | New York Institute of Technology Old Westbury, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 147 | 59% | $22,158 | $50,115 |
| 18 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CAPublicBachelor's | 146 | 86% | — | $58,653 |
| 19 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 145 | 85% | — | $81,377 |
| 20 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sMaster's | 144 | 92% | $26,873 | $47,874 |
| 21 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 140 | 83% | — | $64,939 |
| 22 | Lawrence Technological University Southfield, MIPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 134 | 61% | $32,679 | — |
| 23 | New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, NJPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 132 | 73% | — | $48,961 |
| 24 | Southern California Institute of Architecture Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 131 | 71% | $36,643 | — |
| 25 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicMaster's | 125 | 93% | — | — |
| 26 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 118 | 64% | — | — |
| 27 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicMaster's | 115 | 93% | — | — |
| 28 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Atlanta, GAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 115 | 94% | — | — |
| 29 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 109 | 75% | — | $57,928 |
| 30 | University of Oregon Eugene, ORPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 107 | 72% | — | — |
| 31 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 105 | 74% | — | — |
| 32 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 103 | 94% | $14,126 | — |
| 33 | Roger Williams University Bristol, RIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 101 | 69% | $34,648 | — |
| 34 | Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 98 | 69% | $44,902 | $48,181 |
| 35 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 98 | 75% | — | $50,267 |
| 36 | Montana State University Bozeman, MTPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 97 | 57% | — | — |
| 37 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 95 | 88% | — | — |
| 38 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 94 | 68% | — | $47,255 |
| 39 | Northeastern University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 92 | 91% | $18,925 | — |
| 40 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 90 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 41 | Rhode Island School of Design Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 90 | 89% | $41,764 | $55,673 |
| 42 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NEPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 89 | 67% | — | — |
| 43 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GAPublicBachelor's | 89 | 52% | — | — |
| 44 | Woodbury University Burbank, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 88 | 60% | $28,493 | $40,484 |
| 45 | The New School New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 87 | 69% | $54,185 | — |
| 46 | Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 87 | 69% | $26,034 | $55,334 |
| 47 | CUNY City College New York, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 85 | 57% | — | — |
| 48 | California Baptist University Riverside, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 83 | 62% | $26,940 | — |
| 49 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 81 | 71% | — | — |
| 50 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicMaster's | 78 | 71% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Architectural Sciences and Technology field (CIP 04.09) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 43 states
Where Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology graduates come from. Each state links to all Architectural Sciences and Technology programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-3011, Architectural and Civil Drafters, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology program can pursue careers as Architectural and Civil Drafters, among other roles. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth rate of 4.1% and approximately 10,000 annual openings. The median wage for this field is around $64,280, with a typical education requirement of an Associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 04.0902
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 Civil Draftersprimary SOC 17-3011 | $66,150 | +4.1% About as fast as average | ~10,000 | Associate's degree |
Architectural and Engineering Managers SOC 11-9041 | $171,270 | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~14,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1031 | $96,870 | +2.0% About as fast as average | ~900 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology 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
- 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.
Tools and technology used
Other Architectural Sciences and Technology specializations
The 2 other 6-digit CIP codes under Architectural Sciences and Technology (CIP 04.09).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Associate's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, mathematics, and computer-aided design.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?+
You can work as an Architectural and Civil Drafter, Architectural and Engineering Manager, or a Postsecondary Architecture Teacher.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.1% and around 10,000 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology?+
Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology is CIP 04.0902 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Architectural Sciences and Technology (CIP 04.09). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the application of advanced technology to building design and construction, retrofitting existing buildings, and efficient operation of buildings, including lighting and daylight design, acoustics, solar design, building conservation, and energy-conscious design. Includes instruction in architecture, building technology, civil and structural engineering, mechanical engineering, environmental control systems, sustainability, and computer tools and applications.
How many institutions offer Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology programs?+
124 U.S. institutions reported Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 43 states, awarding 9,098 credentials in the year. That is 88.1% of all Architectural Sciences and Technology graduates.
How much do Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Architectural and Civil Drafters occupation, which Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology most directly leads to, pays a median of $66,150 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Architectural Sciences and Technology field report median earnings of $49,561 one year after graduation (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.
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