by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Architecture covers Architecture. A Program That Prepares Individuals For The Independent Professional Practice Of Architecture And To Conduct Research In Various Aspects Of The Field. Includes Instruction In Architectural Design, History, And Theory; Building Structures And Environmental Systems; Project And Site Planning; Construction; Professional Responsibilities And Standards; And Related Cultural, Social, Economic, And Environmental Issues. Examples: [Architecture (Barch, Ba/bs)], [Architecture (March/ma/ms)], [Architecture (Phd)]. Read on to learn the key facts every architecture major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering architecture programs.
Across the country, architecture is a widely-pursued major, with 4,504 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Architecture Schools ranking analyzes these 105 schools to determine the best overall colleges for architecture students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of architecture programs later in this article.
Coursework for Architecture build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations architecture graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a architecture program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a architecture major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several architecture 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 | 97 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 3,576 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 754 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 77 |
People currently working in careers related to architecture 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 architecture careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in architecture opens doors to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to architecture.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to architecture.
| 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% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of architecture graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow 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 architecture graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers architecture 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 105 different architecture programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased architecture school rankings to help you.
Those considering architecture, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Architecture | 77 |
| Architectural Design | 7 |
| Architecture, Other | 6 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
