Best institutions to study Architectural Design
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, fabrication, and construction.
3 U.S. institutions graduated 20 Architectural Design students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 04.0202, a specialization of Architecture (CIP 04.02), and leads most directly to the Architects, Except Landscape and Naval occupation (BLS SOC 17-1011).
About Architectural Design programs
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, fabrication, and construction. Includes instruction in architectural history and urban theory, 3-D digital technologies, construction, design and fabrication methods, and sustainable practices in architecture.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Architectural Design program is an advanced study designed for aspiring architects and related professionals. This program emphasizes both theoretical and practical issues in architecture, integrating digital technologies into the design, fabrication, and construction processes. It is ideal for students who are passionate about shaping the built environment and wish to explore innovative architectural solutions.
Students in this program will gain essential skills in critical thinking, design, and construction methods. Coursework includes architectural history, urban theory, 3-D digital technologies, and sustainable practices, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to excel in the field of architecture.
Credentials awarded
What Architectural Design graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree18 graduates / yr · 2 institutions90%
- Master's degree2 graduates / yr · 1 institution10%
Graduates over time
Architectural Design completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 12 |
| 2021 | 25 |
| 2022 | 59 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 20 |
CIP 04.0202 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 3 institutions for Architectural Design, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belmont University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 17 | 71% | $29,246 |
| 2 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicMaster's | 2 | 83% | — |
| 3 | Tuskegee University Tuskegee, ALPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 55% | $33,313 |
Offered in 3 states
Where Architectural Design graduates come from. Each state links to all Architecture programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 1 | 17 | Belmont University17 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 2 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst2 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 1 | Tuskegee University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-1011, Architects, Except Landscape and Naval, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Architectural Design program can pursue careers as architects, architectural and engineering managers, or architecture teachers at the postsecondary level. The job outlook for architects 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 $96,690, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 04.0202
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Architects, Except Landscape and Navalprimary SOC 17-1011 | $99,280 | +3.9% About as fast as average | ~7,800 | Bachelor'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 Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Architectural Design 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
- 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.
Tools and technology used
Other Architecture specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Architecture (CIP 04.02).
Common questions
What degree can I earn from this program?+
You can earn either a Bachelor's degree or a Master's degree.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, design, mathematics, and active listening.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as an architect, architectural manager, or a postsecondary architecture teacher.
What is the job outlook for architects?+
The job outlook for architects is about 3.9% growth, with 7,800 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Architectural Design?+
Architectural Design is CIP 04.0202 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Architecture (CIP 04.02). NCES defines it as: 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, fabrication, and construction. Includes instruction in architectural history and urban theory, 3-D digital technologies, construction, design and fabrication methods, and sustainable practices in architecture.
How many institutions offer Architectural Design programs?+
3 U.S. institutions reported Architectural Design graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 3 states, awarding 20 credentials in the year. That is 0.4% of all Architecture graduates.
How much do Architectural Design graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Architects, Except Landscape and Naval occupation, which Architectural Design most directly leads to, pays a median of $99,280 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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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