by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, architecture was the 147th most popular major nationwide with 4,854 degrees awarded. This 113 less than the prior year, a decrease of 2.3%.
This year's Best Architecture Schools ranking compares 73 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom architecture rankings further below.
Architecture majors are found most commonly in careers in which understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents is important. Required skills include using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems and talking to others to convey information effectively.
architecture degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. In addition to these basic architecture program qualifications, to serve in some architecture careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are many different architecture degree levels. You can get anything from a in architecture to the highest architecture degree, a . The time it takes to complete a architecture degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to architecture, with approximately 42.4% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to architecture tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 47.1% |
| Master’s Degree | 23.0% |
| Doctoral Degree | 10.0% |
| First Professional Degree | 9.1% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 6.9% |
About 96.3% of workers in careers related to architecture obtain at least bachelor's degrees. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in architecture have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which architecture career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your architecture degree? Architecture careers are expected to grow 5.1% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to architecture.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 190,000 | 5.5% |
| Architects | 134,200 | 4.2% |
| Architecture Professors | 10,500 | 10.5% |
As you might expect, salaries for architecture graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for architecture graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers architecture grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $148,970 |
| Architecture Professors | $99,320 |
| Architects | $88,860 |
With over 260 different architecture degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased architecture school rankings to help you with this.
Architecture is one of 2 different types of General Architecture programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Pre-Architecture Studies | 103 |
| Architectural Design | 25 |
