by our College Data Analytics TeamAesthetically designing and creating safe and functional buildings is only part of the job of an architect. Buildings need to be economical, environmental friendly, and fulfill the client's needs. This makes architecture a challenging, but very satisfying field of study for students with a love of design as well as an eye for detail.
There are many different majors in this field of study. Some students may want to focus on the design aspect where others may be more interested in construction management. Other possible majors include Landscape Architecture, Architectural History, Urban Planning, or even Environmental Design. There are many other fields and related services that you can further explore. Explore your options and choose a major that best fits your interests.
A degree in Architecture & Related Services covers Architecture And Related Services. Instructional Programs That Prepare Individuals For Professional Practice In The Various Architecture-Related Fields And Focus On The Study Of Related Aesthetic And Socioeconomic Aspects Of The Built Environment. Read on to learn the key facts every architecture & related services student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering architecture & related services programs.
Nationwide, architecture & related services is a popular field of study, with 20,162 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Architecture & Related Services Schools ranking analyzes these 336 schools to determine the best overall colleges for architecture & related services students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of architecture & related services programs later in this article.
Programs in Architecture & Related Services develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations architecture & related services graduates commonly enter.
Due to the broad range of majors available, students with many different skill sets may excel in this area. Some key traits to succeed include an eye for detail, good communication skills, strong math skills, critical thinking ability, and a vivid and creative imagination. Students may want to obtain an internship with an architectural firm to help guide them in a specific direction.
The skill set developed in a architecture & related services program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a architecture & related services major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several architecture & related services degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 130 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 804 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 10,470 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 8,509 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 247 |
People currently working in careers related to architecture & related services tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 33.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 18.2% |
| Master’s degree | 15.8% |
| First professional degree | 12.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.6% |
| Some college courses | 2.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.1% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.3% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in architecture & related services careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
There are a variety of positions available to those who go into the architectural field. Architects provide services to individuals, corporations, government and global agencies. They can be involved in all phases of development from the initial planning phases to putting on the finishing touches. There are many different skills needed to be an architect including: designing, engineering, managing, supervising, and communicating. Communication is an essential skill to have as an architect in order to persuasively display unique visions and ideas.
As you can see, there are many different and diverse directions that one can go into when it comes to architecture. Whether it is building more environmentally friendly structures, designing a garden or managing your own business there is wide variety in this career choice. Graduates may work for architectural firms or they may be self-employed.
Majoring in architecture & related services prepares you for many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to architecture & related services.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to architecture & related services.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other | 1,421,275 | 11.1% |
| Real Estate Brokers | 1,031,675 | 5.1% |
| Real Estate Sales Agents | 904,074 | -3.0% |
| Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate | 575,561 | 13.0% |
| Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary | 489,715 | 11.8% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | 362,012 | 1.0% |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | 261,248 | 0.4% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of architecture & related services graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $53,191 |
| 4 years | $64,117 |
| 5 years | $72,009 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for architecture & related services graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers architecture & related services grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $116,710 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Historians | $89,780 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Landscape Architects | $88,491 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $82,779 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $77,609 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $66,890 |
With 336 different architecture & related services programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased architecture & related services school rankings to help you.
Students interested in architecture & related services, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | 9,814 |
| Architecture | 4,594 |
| City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning | 2,362 |
| Landscape Architecture | 1,050 |
| Interior Architecture | 756 |
| Environmental Design | 714 |
| Real Estate Development | 555 |
| Architecture and Related Services, Other | 166 |
| Architectural History, Criticism, and Conservation | 151 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
