by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Architectural Studies explores A Program That Focuses On The Study Of Architecture, Cities, Landscapes, Designed Objects, Ornament, Architectural Photography, And Material Culture In Diverse Places And Time Periods, And The Social And Aesthetic Dimensions Of Contemporary Architecture, Landscapes, And Cities, Emphasizing Issues Of Sustainable Environments, New Forms Of Urbanism, And The Use Of Digital Media For Visualization And Analysis. Includes Instruction In The Fundamentals Of Architecture, Design, Environmental And Sustainability Studies, Historic Preservation, Landscape Architecture, Studio Art, And Urban Affairs And Planning. Continue reading for the key facts every architectural studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering architectural studies programs.
Across the country, architectural studies is a widely-pursued major, with 21 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Architectural Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 7 schools to determine the best overall colleges for architectural studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of architectural studies programs later in this article.
Coursework for Architectural Studies develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations architectural studies graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a architectural studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a architectural studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several architectural studies 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 19 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2 |
People currently working in careers related to architectural studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 44.6% |
| First professional degree | 20.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 14.4% |
| Master’s degree | 10.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 9.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in architectural studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying architectural studies prepares you for many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to architectural studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to architectural studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary | 489,715 | 11.8% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of architectural studies 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 studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers architectural studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,757 |
With 7 different architectural studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased architectural studies school rankings to help you.
Those considering architectural studies, 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 Conservation | 7 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
