by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Architectural & Building Sciences/Technology involves the study of Architectural And Building Sciences/technology. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Advanced Technology To Building Design And Construction, Retrofitting Existing Buildings, And Efficient Operation Of Buildings, Including Lighting And Daylight Design, Acoustics, Solar Design, Building Conservation, And Energy-Conscious Design. Includes Instruction In Architecture, Building Technology, Civil And Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Control Systems, Sustainability, And Computer Tools And Applications. Examples: [Architectural And Building Sciences/technology (Barch, Ba/bs)], [Architectural And Building Sciences/technology (March/ma/ms)], [Architectural And Building Sciences/technology (Phd)]. Continue reading for the key facts every architectural & building sciences/technology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering architectural & building sciences/technology programs.
Across the country, architectural & building sciences/technology is a popular field of study, with 8,535 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Architectural & Building Sciences/Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 121 schools to determine the best overall colleges for architectural & building sciences/technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of architectural & building sciences/technology programs later in this article.
Studies in Architectural & Building Sciences/Technology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations architectural & building sciences/technology graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a architectural & building sciences/technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a architectural & building sciences/technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several architectural & building sciences/technology 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 | 92 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 3,799 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 4,586 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 58 |
People currently working in careers related to architectural & building sciences/technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 36.3% |
| Master’s degree | 20.5% |
| Doctoral degree | 19.6% |
| First professional degree | 10.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 6.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 2.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.5% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in architectural & building sciences/technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in architectural & building sciences/technology opens doors to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to architectural & building sciences/technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to architectural & building sciences/technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary | 489,715 | 11.8% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | 114,684 | 13.5% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of architectural & building sciences/technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $55,693 |
| 4 years | $64,053 |
| 5 years | $73,273 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for architectural & building sciences/technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers architectural & building sciences/technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $82,779 |
| Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,757 |
With 121 different architectural & building sciences/technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased architectural & building sciences/technology school rankings to help you.
Those considering architectural & building sciences/technology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Architectural Technology/Technician | 1,273 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology, Other | 6 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
