Best colleges for Landscape Architecture
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Landscape Architecture by graduate earnings are Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College ($60,668), California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ($58,331) and Pennsylvania State University ($58,304), 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%.
- Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (Baton Rouge, LA): $60,668, 27 graduates a year
- California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, CA): $58,331, 50 graduates a year
- Pennsylvania State University (University Park, PA): $58,304, 27 graduates a year
- University of Georgia (Athens, GA): $54,777, 70 graduates a year
- Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX): $54,701, 30 graduates a year
Compare 64 U.S. colleges offering Landscape Architecture by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 40 states.
Landscape Architecture programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $53,355 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 04.06 and the Landscape Architects occupation (BLS SOC).
About Landscape Architecture programs
The Landscape Architecture program focuses on the design of outdoor areas, landmarks, and structures to achieve various environmental, social, and aesthetic outcomes. This field combines elements of design, engineering, and environmental science, making it ideal for students interested in creating functional and beautiful outdoor spaces that enhance community and ecological well-being.
Students in this program will develop core skills in design, critical thinking, and project management. Coursework typically covers topics such as geography, building and construction, and environmental analysis, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to create sustainable and aesthetically pleasing landscapes.
Top 17 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 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA Public · Bachelor's degree | $60,668 | 27 | 69% | — | — |
| 2 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $58,331 | 50 | 86% | — | $22,433 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $58,304 | 27 | 86% | — | $30,999 |
| 4 | University of Georgia Athens, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $54,777 | 70 | 90% | — | $27,000 |
| 5 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $54,701 | 30 | 69% | — | $27,000 |
| 6 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $54,214 | 34 | 84% | — | $24,469 |
| 7 | Iowa State University Ames, IA Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,355 | 33 | 75% | — | $29,750 |
| 8 | Clemson University Clemson, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,304 | 28 | 87% | — | $27,000 |
| 9 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,253 | 105 | 68% | — | $20,893 |
| 10 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,163 | 32 | 83% | — | — |
| 11 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,459 | 28 | 84% | — | $27,000 |
| 12 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,413 | 24 | 93% | — | — |
| 13 | University of Nevada-Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,901 | 21 | 51% | — | — |
| 14 | Ball State University Muncie, IN Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $59,972 | 19 | 62% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $57,920 | 19 | 73% | — | — |
| 16 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KY Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $52,841 | 9 | 71% | — | — |
| 17 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $49,444 | 11 | 68% | — | $21,751 |
Specializations within Landscape Architecture
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 04.06 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 40 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 17-1012, Landscape Architects, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Landscape Architecture program can pursue careers in various sectors, with a median wage of $79,660. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 3.5% and approximately 1,700 annual openings, often requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Landscape Architecture
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 04.06.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 04.06 (Landscape 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 |
| 17-1012 | Landscape Architectsprimary |
| 25-1031 | Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Landscape 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
- Confer with clients, engineering personnel, or architects on landscape projects.
- Analyze data on conditions such as site location, drainage, or structure location for environmental reports or landscaping plans.
- Inspect landscape work to ensure compliance with specifications, evaluate quality of materials or work, or advise clients or construction personnel.
- Prepare site plans, specifications, or cost estimates for land development.
- Integrate existing land features or landscaping into designs.
- Collaborate with architects or related professionals on whole building design to maximize the aesthetic features of structures or surrounding land and to improve energy efficiency.
Common questions
What is Landscape Architecture?+
Landscape Architecture is the design of outdoor areas and structures to achieve environmental, social, or aesthetic outcomes.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
You will learn skills in design, critical thinking, and project management, along with knowledge in geography and environmental analysis.
What is the job outlook for Landscape Architecture?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 3.5% and around 1,700 annual openings.
What is the typical education required?+
A Bachelor's degree is typically required to pursue a career in Landscape Architecture.
How much do Landscape Architecture graduates earn?+
Landscape Architecture graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $53,355, College Scorecard (2019); the Landscape Architects occupation pays about $88,780 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Landscape Architecture?+
Landscape Architecture maps to CIP 04.06 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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