Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 47.2%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 50.9%
- Retention Rate
- 50.0%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $68,891
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $31,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 6:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 48.0%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $329/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture. | Doctoral | $51,482 | |
| Architecture. | Bachelor | $44,989 |
Outcomes Overview
Graduates earn a median of $68,891 ten years after leaving, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45 with typical debt loads of $31,000. Monthly loan payments of $329 consume about 5.7% of median income, well below the recommended 10% threshold. The 90.4% employment rate reflects strong demand for architects and designers in San Diego's booming construction and tech sectors. Many graduates find work at local firms specializing in sustainable design or join larger practices serving the region's hospitality and residential markets. However, the 47.98% loan repayment rate suggests some struggle with payments early in their careers. Despite architecture's notoriously slow salary growth, this represents an average return on investment for a specialized design degree.