by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Architectural Design explores An Advanced Program Of Study For Architects And Related Professionals That Focuses On Theoretical And Practical Issues In Architecture And Integrates Digital Technologies Into Architectural Design, Fabrication, And Construction. Includes Instruction In Architectural History And Urban Theory, 3-D Digital Technologies, Construction, Design And Fabrication Methods, And Sustainable Practices In Architecture. Continue reading for the essential details every architectural design major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering architectural design programs.
In the U.S., architectural design draws strong interest, with 7 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Architectural Design Schools ranking analyzes these 3 schools to determine the best overall colleges for architectural design students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of architectural design programs later in this article.
Programs in Architectural Design build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations architectural design graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a architectural design program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a architectural design major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several architectural design 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 design tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 38.0% |
| Master’s degree | 21.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 14.6% |
| First professional degree | 14.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 6.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.4% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in architectural design careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying architectural design can lead to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to architectural design.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to architectural design.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of architectural design graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $50,115 |
| 4 years | $63,317 |
| 5 years | $70,885 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for architectural design graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers architectural design grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $116,710 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,757 |
With 3 different architectural design programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased architectural design school rankings to help you.
Students interested in architectural design, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Architecture | 4,504 |
| Architecture | 77 |
| Architecture, Other | 6 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
