by our College Data Analytics Teamarchitecture programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for architecture students pursuing a degree.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall architecture education in Pennsylvania.
Leading the list is Pennsylvania State University Main Campus, our #1 school for architecture. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. About 86% of students finish within six years. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 75 architecture degrees in the most recent data year. See the full architecture program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Students looking for a strong architecture program will find one at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 21 architecture degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Get the full architecture details for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Lehigh University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in architecture, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 16 architecture degrees were awarded at Lehigh University in the most recent year. Students who receive their architecture degree from Lehigh University earn around $70,321 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,008. See the full architecture program report for Lehigh University
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best architecture schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 15 architecture degrees were awarded at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent year. Graduates of the architecture program make about $89,327 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529. Read more about the architecture program at Carnegie Mellon University
Students looking for a strong architecture program will find one at Drexel University, which ranked #5. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. About 37 architecture degrees were awarded at Drexel University in the most recent year. Graduates of the architecture program make about $57,730 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. Get the full architecture details for Drexel University
Marywood University came in at #6 for architecture this year. Located in the city of Scranton, Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 72% of students finish within six years. Marywood University awarded about 36 architecture degrees in the most recent data year. Architecture graduates of Marywood University earn a median of $48,650 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. See the full architecture program report for Marywood University
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 10 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.