Best Colleges for Architecture

Architecture students today enter a competitive field where strong program selection significantly impacts career outcomes. With 91 schools offering architecture degrees nationwide, graduates earn an average of $44,489 annually in their early careers. When evaluating programs, students should prioritize accreditation by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which ensures professional licensing eligibility. Look for curricula balancing design theory with hands-on studio experience, access to advanced design technology, and strong industry connections for internships. Faculty-to-student ratios matter greatly in studio-intensive programs where personalized feedback drives creative development. Consider programs offering study abroad opportunities, as global architectural exposure enhances design perspectives and marketability.

Schools Ranked

$53,100

Avg. Program Earnings

75.1%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Median Earnings	Graduation Rate	School Type
1	University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, Indiana	$57,679	96.8%	private-nonprofit
2	Boston Architectural College Boston, Massachusetts	$56,931	38.5%	private-nonprofit
3	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, California	$55,884	85.2%	public
4	Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Stillwater, Oklahoma	$55,286	65.9%	public
5	University of San Francisco San Francisco, California	$55,286	71.1%	private-nonprofit
6	California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Pomona, California	$55,286	66.7%	public
7	Drexel University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$54,576	77.1%	private-nonprofit
8	The University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas	$54,570	87.6%	public
9	Academy of Art University San Francisco, California	$53,810	40.5%	private-forprofit
10	Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$53,775	92.5%	private-nonprofit
11	Lawrence Technological University Southfield, Michigan	$53,608	62.6%	private-nonprofit
12	Cornell University Ithaca, New York	$53,358	95.1%	private-nonprofit
13	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, New York	$52,316	83.2%	private-nonprofit
14	Mississippi State University Mississippi State, Mississippi	$52,107	62.9%	public
15	Syracuse University Syracuse, New York	$52,107	81.4%	private-nonprofit
16	Auburn University Auburn, Alabama	$52,107	79.2%	public
17	Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, Georgia	$52,107	48.1%	public
18	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, Virginia	$51,960	86.3%	public
19	University of Miami Coral Gables, Florida	$51,690	84.2%	private-nonprofit
20	University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, California	$51,273	92.9%	public
21	Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, Georgia	$50,856	92.3%	public
22	Rhode Island School of Design Providence, Rhode Island	$50,439	88.5%	private-nonprofit
23	California College of the Arts San Francisco, California	$50,231	58.7%	private-nonprofit
24	University of Oregon Eugene, Oregon	$50,141	71.5%	public
25	Wentworth Institute of Technology Boston, Massachusetts	$50,105	68.6%	private-nonprofit