2026 Best architecture Schools in California
architecture degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for architecture students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for architecture in California
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the architecture degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in architecture
University Of California Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in architecture. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 117 architecture students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Architecture graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $50,917 early in their careers. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
See the full architecture program report for University Of California Berkeley
California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in architecture, landing the #2 spot this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates 68% of students within six years. California State Polytechnic University Pomona awarded about 108 architecture degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their architecture degree from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn around $57,514 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full architecture details for California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Students looking for a strong architecture program will find one at California State University Fresno, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. California State University Fresno graduates 57% of students within six years. California State University Fresno awarded about 11 architecture degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the architecture program make about $49,502 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete this degree.
Read more about the architecture program at California State University Fresno
Students looking for a strong architecture program will find one at University Of San Francisco, which ranked #4. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 architecture degrees were awarded at University Of San Francisco in the most recent year. Architecture graduates of University Of San Francisco earn a median of $37,556 early in their careers. University Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the architecture program at University Of San Francisco
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best architecture schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 18 architecture degrees in the most recent data year. Architecture graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,097.
Read more about the architecture program at University Of California Los Angeles
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Notes and References
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 · 7 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.