by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Architectural Conservation involves the study of A Program That Focuses On The Architectural Design Principles And Building Techniques Used In Historic Structures And Environments, And The Process Of Saving And Restoring Old Buildings And Districts For Contemporary Use And Enjoyment. Includes Instruction In Architectural History, Building Conservation Techniques, And Material Conservation. Read on to learn the key facts every architectural conservation major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering architectural conservation programs.
In the U.S., architectural conservation draws strong interest, with 7 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Architectural Conservation Schools ranking analyzes these 1 schools to determine the best overall colleges for architectural conservation students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of architectural conservation programs later in this article.
Studies in Architectural Conservation develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations architectural conservation graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a architectural conservation program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a architectural conservation major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several architectural conservation 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 7 |
People currently working in careers related to architectural conservation tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 39.6% |
| First professional degree | 17.6% |
| Master’s degree | 17.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 8.1% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.3% |
| Some college courses | 1.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in architectural conservation careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying architectural conservation can lead to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to architectural conservation.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to architectural conservation.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary | 489,715 | 11.8% |
| Historians | 66,368 | -1.5% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of architectural conservation graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow 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 conservation graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers architectural conservation grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Historians | $89,780 |
| Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,757 |
With 1 different architectural conservation programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased architectural conservation school rankings to help you.
Those considering architectural conservation, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Architectural History and Criticism, General | 123 |
| Architectural Studies | 21 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
