by our College Data Analytics TeamAre you interested in the art and science of designing buildings? If so, architectural engineering could be the major for you. In this major you learn about the planning, design, construction, and operation of engineering systems. This is used for all different types of buildings and includes aspects like fire protection, heating ventilating, air conditioning, electrical systems, lighting, and plumbing. These are really important features in modern buildings, although they may not be noticed by the average person.
Some of the classes you will take in this major are the fundamentals of engineering, architectural design, architectural history, steel and reinforced concrete design, construction methods, computer programming, math, and surveying.
A major in Architectural Engineering explores Architectural Engineering. Read on to learn the important information every architectural engineering student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering architectural engineering programs.
In the U.S., architectural engineering draws strong interest, with 1,183 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Architectural Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 29 schools to determine the best overall colleges for architectural engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of architectural engineering programs later in this article.
Coursework for Architectural Engineering develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations architectural engineering graduates commonly enter.
In order to be successful you should enjoy math and science. The principles of calculus and other advanced mathematic will be used regularly for analyzing, designing, and troubleshooting your work. These skills will lead to more advanced problem solving methods. This is important in any engineering field. Another important skill is to be a creative thinker. In the architectural field you could be working with old and new structures and need to creatively come up with solutions to problems.
Engineers frequently work on teams, making good communication skills essential to success. You will be working with other professionals to make sure buildings are up to code. You will be required to clearly explain what needs to be done and how it needs to be done, as well as listen to the other members of your team. Although teamwork is important in this field, you will also have times where you are working on your own.
Most programs will require professional internship either during the semester of over the summer. Some colleges will require you to complete a five year program in this field.
The skill set developed in a architectural engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a architectural engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several architectural engineering 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 | 902 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 259 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 22 |
People currently working in careers related to architectural engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 32.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 27.8% |
| Master’s degree | 11.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 7.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 6.6% |
| First professional degree | 3.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.9% |
| Some college courses | 1.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in architectural engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
This major prepares you to become an Architectural Engineer. In this position you will help create the physical environment of everyday life. You will work with architects during design, and help with the construction process of choosing materials, and working within building codes. This field allows you to design and help build a structure.
Studying architectural engineering opens doors to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to architectural engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to architectural engineering.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary | 489,715 | 11.8% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Nanosystems Engineers | 358,781 | -2.9% |
| Wind Energy Engineers | 353,305 | 12.7% |
| Engineers, All Other | 292,948 | -4.3% |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | 266,797 | 14.5% |
| Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar | 227,778 | 6.7% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of architectural engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $76,177 |
| 4 years | $83,733 |
| 5 years | $94,005 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for architectural engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers architectural engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $136,628 |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | $116,775 |
| Mechatronics Engineers | $115,569 |
| Microsystems Engineers | $104,558 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Wind Energy Engineers | $98,460 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Photonics Engineers | $84,667 |
With 29 different architectural engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased architectural engineering school rankings to help you.
Students interested in architectural engineering, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Architectural Engineering | 1,183 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 42,939 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 26,760 |
| Civil Engineering | 20,005 |
| Computer Engineering | 19,986 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 13,914 |
| Engineering, General | 13,411 |
| Chemical Engineering | 10,939 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 9,596 |
| Industrial Engineering | 8,533 |
| Systems Engineering | 3,956 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
