by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 105 U.S. colleges awarded 4,553 degrees and certificates in Architecture. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 82% of graduates. College Factual ranks 78 schools in its 2027 Best Architecture Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $50,115 one year after completing, rising to $69,347 after four years.
A 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)].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, architecture is a widely-pursued major, with 4,553 degrees awarded annually. 105 colleges award architecture degrees, an average of 43 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 209.
By level, the 4,553 awards include 1 certificates, 116 associate degrees, 3,712 bachelor’s degrees, 658 master’s degrees and 66 doctorates.
Women earned 55% of architecture degrees and certificates in the latest year (2,495 of 4,553). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,970) and Hispanic or Latino (1,228), and international students earned 330.
College Factual ranks 78 schools in its 2027 Best Architecture Schools ranking, including 70 for bachelor’s degrees and 19 for master’s degrees. It also ranks architecture schools within 31 states. In all, 105 colleges offer architecture programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Architecture Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common architecture credential is the bachelor’s degree: 3,712 of the 4,553 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to architecture 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 architecture degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 116 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 3,712 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 658 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 66 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to architecture, 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 Architecture, 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 Adjunct Professor, Architecture Faculty Member, Architecture Instructor and Assistant Professor.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to architecture, 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% |
Architecture 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 architecture 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 |
Architecture has 3 similar majors in the Architecture/Urban Planning field, which together award 116 degrees a year; the largest are Architecture (82), Architectural Design (20) and Architecture, Other (14). Browse all Architecture/Urban Planning majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Architecture | 82 |
| Architectural Design | 20 |
| Architecture, Other | 14 |
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