Best institutions to study Pre-Architecture Studies
A program of study that is a precursor to an advanced degree in architecture.
5 U.S. institutions graduated 79 Pre-Architecture Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 04.0200, a specialization of Architecture (CIP 04.02).
About Pre-Architecture Studies programs
A program of study that is a precursor to an advanced degree in architecture. Includes instruction in architectural design, architectural graphics, architectural history, architectural technology, architectural theory and criticism, building technology, calculus, design studio, human factors, environmental architecture, geometry and trigonometry, physics, and technical drawing.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Pre-Architecture Studies program serves as a foundational step for students aspiring to pursue an advanced degree in architecture. It is designed for individuals interested in the principles of architectural design and the various aspects that influence the built environment. This program is ideal for those who are passionate about creativity, technical skills, and the impact of architecture on society.
Students in the Pre-Architecture Studies program will gain knowledge in architectural design, architectural graphics, and architectural history. Coursework also includes building technology, calculus, environmental architecture, and technical drawing, providing a comprehensive foundation for further studies in architecture.
Credentials awarded
What Pre-Architecture Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree72 graduates / yr · 2 institutions91%
- Associate's degree7 graduates / yr · 3 institutions8.9%
Graduates over time
Pre-Architecture Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 72 |
| 2021 | 100 |
| 2022 | 102 |
| 2023 | 68 |
| 2024 | 76 |
| 2025 | 79 |
CIP 04.0200 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 5 institutions for Pre-Architecture Studies, 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 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Atlanta, GAPublicBachelor's | 56 | 94% | — | $48,863 |
| 2 | Barnard College New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 16 | 93% | $24,675 | — |
| 3 | Copiah - Lincoln Community College Wesson, MSPublicAssociate's | 3 | 50% | — | — |
| 4 | Mississippi Delta Community College Moorhead, MSPublicAssociate's | 2 | 31% | — | — |
| 5 | Abilene Christian University Abilene, TXPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 2 | 59% | $26,342 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Architecture field (CIP 04.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 4 states
Where Pre-Architecture Studies graduates come from. Each state links to all Architecture programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 1 | 56 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus56 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 16 | Barnard College16 / yr |
| Mississippi | 2 | 5 | Copiah - Lincoln Community College3 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 2 | Abilene Christian University2 / yr |
Other Architecture specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Architecture (CIP 04.02).
Common questions
What degree do I earn in this program?+
You can earn either a Bachelor's degree (91.1%) or an Associate's degree (8.9%).
How many colleges offer this program?+
There are five colleges in the U.S. that offer the Pre-Architecture Studies program.
What subjects will I study?+
Core subjects include architectural design, architectural graphics, calculus, and environmental architecture.
How many graduates complete this program each year?+
Approximately 79 graduates complete the Pre-Architecture Studies program each year in the U.S.
What is the CIP code for Pre-Architecture Studies?+
Pre-Architecture Studies is CIP 04.0200 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Architecture (CIP 04.02). NCES defines it as: A program of study that is a precursor to an advanced degree in architecture. Includes instruction in architectural design, architectural graphics, architectural history, architectural technology, architectural theory and criticism, building technology, calculus, design studio, human factors, environmental architecture, geometry and trigonometry, physics, and technical drawing.
How many institutions offer Pre-Architecture Studies programs?+
5 U.S. institutions reported Pre-Architecture Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 4 states, awarding 79 credentials in the year. That is 1.7% of all Architecture graduates.
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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