by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 3 U.S. colleges awarded 20 degrees and certificates in Architectural Design. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 90% of graduates. Graduates earn a median $50,115 one year after completing, rising to $69,347 after four years.
A 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.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., architectural design draws strong interest, with 20 degrees awarded annually. 3 colleges award architectural design degrees, an average of 7 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 17.
By level, the 20 awards include 18 bachelor’s degrees and 2 master’s degrees.
Women earned 65% of architectural design degrees and certificates in the latest year (13 of 20). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (16) and Black or African American (2), and international students earned 1.
The most common architectural design credential is the bachelor’s degree: 18 of the 20 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to architectural design call most for Reading Comprehension, Speaking and Writing, and for knowledge of English Language, Design and Engineering and Technology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Comprehension, Oral Expression and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an architectural design degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 18 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to architectural design, at 38.0%.
| 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% |
Source: O*NET Online.
4 occupations are related to Architectural Design, with an average median salary of $93,502; the strongest outlook belongs to Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary, at 11.8% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Associate Professor, College Professor, College Faculty Member and Interior Design Professor.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to architectural design, at 489,715.
| 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% |
Architectural Design graduates earn a median $50,115 one year after completing their program, $69,347 after four years and $70,654 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $50,115 |
| 4 years | $69,347 |
| 5 years | $70,654 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to architectural design is Architects, Except Landscape and Naval, with a median salary of $116,710.
| 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 |
Architectural Design has 3 similar majors in the Architecture/Urban Planning field, which together award 4,649 degrees a year; the largest are Architecture (4,553), Architecture (82) and Architecture, Other (14). Browse all Architecture/Urban Planning majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Architecture | 4,553 |
| Architecture | 82 |
| Architecture, Other | 14 |
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