by our College Data Analytics TeamAs an architectural history major, you will get to study the way the physically built environment has evolved over time. Students will look at different elements of buildings to see how aesthetic, technical, and social values have developed from the past to the present. While examining different structures, students will also be asked to think about the social implications of the buildings.
Although every school has its own requirements, classes in this field will include: principles of architecture, art history, historiography of architecture, architectural theory, architectural criticism, history that includes aspects of technology, economic, and social and how it affects society.
A major in Architectural History explores Architectural History, Criticism, And Conservation. Read on to learn the important information every architectural history major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering architectural history programs.
In the U.S., architectural history is a popular field of study, with 151 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Architectural History Schools ranking analyzes these 25 schools to determine the best overall colleges for architectural history students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of architectural history programs later in this article.
Programs in Architectural History emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations architectural history graduates commonly enter.
This field requires knowledge and understanding of the history behind important buildings and also the awareness of how to preserve these places. Students will learn about the evolution of buildings and structures and also how it relates to the history and philosophy of the time period. Knowledge of geography is also important as students study settlement and migration patterns and the growth of a population.
Those in this field of study usually have a great appreciation for the history and culture that goes along with architecture and the desire to preserve it. Students will not only study historical buildings, but also the architecture of modern urban structures. They will understand how urban development and economic revitalization are connected and have an extensive knowledge base on economics, philosophy, criticism, design, and development. Critical skills include active listening, critical thinking, and the ability to make judgments and decisions from the information they come across.
The skill set emphasized by a architectural history program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a architectural history major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several architectural history 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 6 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 103 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 41 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1 |
People currently working in careers related to architectural history tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 32.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 19.7% |
| First professional degree | 19.5% |
| Master’s degree | 16.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.7% |
| Some college courses | 0.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in architectural history careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
This is a very specialized field and there are very few schools that offer Architectural History as a program. It is usually found as a supplemental course to more widely offered majors such as architecture and urban/city planning.
With a degree in architectural history you can go into many different fields. Such professions could be, but are not limited to: working in a museum, working as a freelance writer or working for government agencies. You could also become research coordinator or professor or lecturer in architectural history. You may also end up as a preservation planner and administrator, historical research evaluator, a curator, or a historic site manager.
Studying architectural history can lead to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to architectural history.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to architectural history.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary | 489,715 | 11.8% |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | 362,012 | 1.0% |
| Historians | 66,368 | -1.5% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of architectural history graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $30,189 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for architectural history graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers architectural history grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $116,710 |
| Historians | $89,780 |
| Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,757 |
With 25 different architectural history programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased architectural history school rankings to help you.
Those considering architectural history, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Architectural History and Criticism, General | 123 |
| Architectural Studies | 21 |
| Architectural Conservation | 7 |
| Related 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 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
