Best colleges for Architecture
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Architecture by graduate earnings are University of Notre Dame ($62,957), Pennsylvania State University ($60,898) and Drexel University ($57,730), 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 Notre Dame (Notre Dame, IN): $62,957, 56 graduates a year
- Pennsylvania State University (University Park, PA): $60,898, 56 graduates a year
- Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA): $57,730, 44 graduates a year
- Ball State University (Muncie, IN): $57,603, 73 graduates a year
- California State Polytechnic University - Pomona (Pomona, CA): $57,514, 116 graduates a year
Compare 114 U.S. colleges offering Architecture by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 41 states.
Architecture programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $46,347 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 04.02 and the Architects, Except Landscape and Naval occupation (BLS SOC).
About Architecture programs
The Architecture program offers students an in-depth exploration of architectural design and construction. Typically spanning three to four years, this program prepares students for advanced studies in architecture or a professional career in the field. It is ideal for individuals passionate about creating functional and aesthetically pleasing structures.
Students in the Architecture program will develop critical skills in design, mathematics, and engineering technology. Coursework includes training in computer-aided design, construction planning, and client consultation, equipping graduates with the necessary knowledge to succeed in the architectural field.
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 Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $62,957 | 56 | 95% | $19,452 | $28,419 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $60,898 | 56 | 86% | — | $30,440 |
| 3 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $57,730 | 44 | 78% | $36,004 | $31,000 |
| 4 | Ball State University Muncie, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $57,603 | 73 | 62% | — | $28,670 |
| 5 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $57,514 | 116 | 68% | — | $28,000 |
| 6 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $57,034 | 52 | 85% | — | $25,886 |
| 7 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,327 | 58 | 89% | — | $21,000 |
| 8 | Drury University Springfield, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,723 | 36 | 62% | $20,482 | $31,000 |
| 9 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,334 | 59 | 84% | $28,900 | $31,000 |
| 10 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,679 | 45 | 67% | — | $31,000 |
| 11 | Auburn University Auburn, AL Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,146 | 65 | 82% | — | $28,000 |
| 12 | University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,740 | 69 | 96% | — | $23,965 |
| 13 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,558 | 69 | 69% | — | $27,000 |
| 14 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,080 | 78 | 71% | — | $27,250 |
| 15 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,917 | 108 | 93% | — | $15,000 |
| 16 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,809 | 92 | 85% | — | $20,423 |
| 17 | Clemson University Clemson, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,983 | 126 | 87% | — | $22,500 |
| 18 | University of Houston Houston, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,388 | 112 | 65% | — | $26,250 |
| 19 | Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,863 | 64 | 94% | — | $28,192 |
| 20 | Marywood University Scranton, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $48,650 | 44 | 72% | $21,769 | $31,000 |
| 21 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,431 | 151 | 84% | — | $18,465 |
| 22 | University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,598 | 83 | 75% | — | $22,600 |
| 23 | Keene State College Keene, NH Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,448 | 23 | 60% | — | $27,000 |
| 24 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,248 | 65 | 62% | — | $25,000 |
| 25 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,014 | 151 | 49% | — | $26,000 |
Specializations within Architecture
4 of the 4 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 04.02 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- ArchitectureCIP 04.02014,520 graduates / yr105 institutions40 states
- Pre-Architecture StudiesCIP 04.0200New in CIP 2020partial data79 graduates / yr5 institutions4 states
- Architectural DesignCIP 04.0202New in CIP 2020partial data20 graduates / yr3 institutions3 states
- ArchitectureCIP 04.0299New in CIP 2020limited data14 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states
Offered across 41 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-1011, Architects, Except Landscape and Naval, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Architecture program can pursue various career paths in the architectural sector. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 3.9% and approximately 7,800 annual openings. The median wage for architects is around $96,690, typically requiring a bachelor's degree for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Architecture
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 04.02.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 04.02 (Architecture) 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 |
| 17-1011 | Architects, Except Landscape and Navalprimary |
| 25-1031 | Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Architecture 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
- 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.
Common questions
What degree do I need to become an architect?+
A bachelor's degree in architecture is typically required.
How long does the Architecture program take?+
The program usually takes three to four years to complete.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, design, and mathematics.
What is the job outlook for architects?+
The job outlook is about 3.9% growth with 7,800 annual openings.
How much do Architecture graduates earn?+
Architecture graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $46,347, College Scorecard (2019); the Architects, Except Landscape and Naval occupation pays about $106,260 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Architecture?+
Architecture maps to CIP 04.02 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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