Best institutions to study Architecture
Compare 114 U.S. colleges offering Architecture by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 41 states.
Architecture programs report a median of $46,347 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), 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 49 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 | 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 - Main Campus University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $60,898 | 56 | 86% | — | $30,440 |
| 3 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $60,634 | 2 | 86% | — | $27,500 |
| 4 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $57,730 | 44 | 78% | $36,004 | $31,000 |
| 5 | Ball State University Muncie, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $57,603 | 73 | 62% | — | $28,670 |
| 6 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $57,514 | 116 | 68% | — | $28,000 |
| 7 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $57,034 | 52 | 85% | — | $25,886 |
| 8 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,708 | 8 | 86% | — | $29,000 |
| 9 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,327 | 58 | 89% | — | $21,000 |
| 10 | Boston Architectural College Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $55,079 | 3 | 32% | $41,647 | $53,192 |
| 11 | Drury University Springfield, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,723 | 36 | 62% | $20,482 | $31,000 |
| 12 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,334 | 59 | 84% | $28,900 | $31,000 |
| 13 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,679 | 45 | 67% | — | $31,000 |
| 14 | Auburn University Auburn, AL Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,146 | 65 | 82% | — | $28,000 |
| 15 | University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,740 | 69 | 96% | — | $23,965 |
| 16 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,558 | 69 | 69% | — | $27,000 |
| 17 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,080 | 78 | 71% | — | $27,250 |
| 18 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,917 | 108 | 93% | — | $15,000 |
| 19 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,809 | 92 | 85% | — | $20,423 |
| 20 | Clemson University Clemson, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,983 | 126 | 87% | — | $22,500 |
| 21 | University of Houston Houston, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,388 | 112 | 65% | — | $26,250 |
| 22 | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred Alfred, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,192 | 16 | 55% | — | $31,000 |
| 23 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Atlanta, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,863 | 64 | 94% | — | $28,192 |
| 24 | Marywood University Scranton, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $48,650 | 44 | 72% | $21,769 | $31,000 |
| 25 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,347 | 6 | 89% | — | $22,654 |
| 26 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,431 | 151 | 84% | — | $18,465 |
| 27 | The Catholic University of America Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,615 | 2 | 79% | $27,724 | $27,000 |
| 28 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,598 | 83 | 75% | — | $22,600 |
| 29 | Keene State College Keene, NH Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,448 | 23 | 60% | — | $27,000 |
| 30 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,248 | 65 | 62% | — | $25,000 |
| 31 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,014 | 151 | 49% | — | $26,000 |
| 32 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,029 | 98 | 85% | — | $22,284 |
| 33 | Judson University Elgin, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,033 | 40 | 60% | $25,200 | $26,221 |
| 34 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,542 | 153 | 91% | — | $19,843 |
| 35 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,166 | 133 | 54% | — | $23,535 |
| 36 | The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,181 | 145 | 53% | — | $23,000 |
| 37 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,060 | 209 | 69% | — | $21,699 |
| 38 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,998 | 86 | 93% | — | $18,750 |
| 39 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NE Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,750 | 1 | 67% | — | $26,000 |
| 40 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,918 | 205 | 68% | — | $21,067 |
| 41 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,622 | 62 | 75% | — | $22,854 |
| 42 | University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $37,556 | 37 | 70% | $37,121 | $27,000 |
| 43 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,389 | 41 | 78% | — | $13,250 |
| 44 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,723 | 7 | 64% | — | $26,000 |
| 45 | Portland State University Portland, OR Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,678 | 49 | 53% | — | $25,000 |
| 46 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,525 | 105 | 62% | — | $23,840 |
| 47 | Morgan State University Baltimore, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,282 | 29 | 41% | — | $30,500 |
| 48 | Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico Hato Rey, PR Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $20,080 | 41 | 28% | $18,544 | — |
| 49 | Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico - Ponce Ponce, PR Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $17,819 | 24 | 49% | $13,112 | $31,000 |
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.
Concentrations within Architecture
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Pre-Architecture StudiesCIP 04.0200
A program of study that is a precursor to an advanced degree in architecture
- ArchitectureCIP 04.0201
A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of architecture and to conduct research in various aspects of the field
- Architectural DesignCIP 04.0202
An advanced program of study for architects and related professionals that focuses on theoretical and practical issues in architecture and integrates digital technologies into architectural design, fa
- Architecture, OtherCIP 04.0299
Any instructional program in architecture not listed above.
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 of $46,347 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); 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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