Best Colleges for Landscape Architecture

Landscape architecture combines environmental science, design principles, and urban planning to create sustainable outdoor spaces. With only 28 schools nationwide offering accredited programs, students have limited but focused options for this specialized field. Graduates typically earn around $47,347 annually, with potential for growth in sectors like environmental consulting and urban development.

When evaluating programs, prioritize hands-on studio experience, internship opportunities, and faculty connections to professional firms. Look for curricula covering computer-aided design, environmental systems, and plant science. Strong programs also emphasize sustainable design practices and offer exposure to real-world projects. Consider schools with active alumni networks in major metropolitan areas where landscape architecture firms cluster.

Schools Ranked

$47,952

Avg. Program Earnings

75.8%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Median Earnings	Graduation Rate	School Type
1	Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, New Jersey	$52,107	85.0%	public
2	Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, Louisiana	$51,273	71.0%	public
3	University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, Nebraska	$51,273	65.8%	public
4	University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, Wisconsin	$50,439	89.3%	public
5	Ball State University Muncie, Indiana	$50,320	63.3%	public
6	Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, Texas	$50,231	83.8%	public
7	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, Virginia	$49,562	86.3%	public
8	California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Pomona, California	$49,136	66.7%	public
9	University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, Massachusetts	$48,745	83.2%	public
10	North Dakota State University-Main Campus Fargo, North Dakota	$48,682	63.7%	public
11	Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, Ohio	$48,432	87.7%	public
12	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, California	$48,041	85.2%	public
13	Utah State University Logan, Utah	$47,729	57.3%	public
14	University of Arkansas Fayetteville, Arkansas	$47,260	70.0%	public
15	Texas Tech University Lubbock, Texas	$47,260	67.5%	public
16	University of Georgia Athens, Georgia	$46,966	87.2%	public
17	Iowa State University Ames, Iowa	$46,924	75.5%	public
18	Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, Indiana	$46,869	83.1%	public
19	West Virginia University Morgantown, West Virginia	$46,478	61.2%	public
20	University of California-Davis Davis, California	$46,087	85.1%	public
21	University of Oregon Eugene, Oregon	$45,696	71.5%	public
22	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, Washington	$45,696	83.7%	public
23	Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, Arizona	$45,207	67.8%	public
24	Colorado State University-Fort Collins Fort Collins, Colorado	$44,590	66.9%	public
25	Clemson University Clemson, South Carolina	$43,798	87.9%	public