by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Architecture](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/general-architecture/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The highest-paying schools turn a general architecture degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 57 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying general architecture schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose general architecture graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked University Of Southern California the top school for general architecture graduate earnings in the United States. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general architecture graduates from University Of Southern California make a median of around $76,673 per year.
Northeastern University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general architecture, landing the #2 spot this year. Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Early-career general architecture graduates from Northeastern University make a median of around $76,670 per year.
Carnegie Mellon University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general architecture, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general architecture program here go on to a median salary of roughly $75,908.
Tulane University Of Louisiana produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general architecture, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a private not-for-profit institution. General Architecture graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of about $71,413 a year early in their careers.
Boston Architectural College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general architecture, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston Architectural College is a private not-for-profit institution. General Architecture graduates of Boston Architectural College earn a median of about $90,996 a year early in their careers.
University Of Notre Dame earned the #6 position for general architecture graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general architecture degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame typically earn about $78,022 annually.
North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for general architecture salaries this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. Early-career general architecture graduates from North Dakota State University Main Campus make a median of around $68,574 per year.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for general architecture. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. After graduating, general architecture degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus typically earn about $65,563 annually.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for general architecture. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public institution. Early-career general architecture graduates from California State Polytechnic University Pomona make a median of around $76,979 per year.
Drexel University earned the #10 position for general architecture graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general architecture degree recipients from Drexel University typically earn about $75,516 annually.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #11 position for general architecture graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a public institution. After graduating, general architecture degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas typically earn about $64,041 annually.
Prairie View A And M University earned the #12 position for general architecture graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a public institution. General Architecture graduates of Prairie View A And M University earn a median of about $63,882 a year early in their careers.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general architecture schools. Located in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general architecture program here go on to a median salary of roughly $74,873.
University Of California Berkeley ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general architecture schools. University Of California Berkeley is a public school located in the city of Berkeley. General Architecture graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of about $79,951 a year early in their careers.
Auburn University came in at #15 for general architecture graduate earnings this year. Auburn University is a public school located in the city of Auburn. After graduating, general architecture degree recipients from Auburn University typically earn about $75,187 annually.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #16 position for general architecture graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Early-career general architecture graduates from The University Of Texas At Austin make a median of around $69,182 per year.
Drury University came in at #17 for general architecture graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general architecture degree recipients from Drury University typically earn about $70,128 annually.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #18 for general architecture graduate earnings this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a public school located in the city of Los Angeles. General Architecture graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of about $60,803 a year early in their careers.
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for general architecture. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, general architecture degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus typically earn about $73,156 annually.
Mississippi State University came in at #20 for general architecture graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a public institution. General Architecture graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of about $70,060 a year early in their careers.
Ball State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general architecture schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a public institution. After graduating, general architecture degree recipients from Ball State University typically earn about $62,012 annually.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for general architecture. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, general architecture degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus typically earn about $57,993 annually.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #23 for general architecture graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. Students who complete the general architecture program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,248.
University Of Arkansas landed the #24 spot for general architecture salaries this year. University Of Arkansas is a public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Early-career general architecture graduates from University Of Arkansas make a median of around $67,687 per year.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for general architecture. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school located in the city of Raleigh. After graduating, general architecture degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh typically earn about $57,034 annually.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning general architecture graduates:
Explore the highest-paying general architecture schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries general architecture graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 57 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
