by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Architecture](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/general-architecture/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The highest-paying schools turn a general architecture degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 5 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.
University Of Southern California earned the #1 spot for highest-paid general architecture graduates in California. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Early-career general architecture graduates from University Of Southern California make a median of around $76,673 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in general architecture will find them at California State Polytechnic University Pomona, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public institution. After graduating, general architecture degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona typically earn about $76,979 annually.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general architecture schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. After graduating, general architecture degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley typically earn about $79,951 annually.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general architecture schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. General Architecture graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of about $60,803 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in general architecture will find them at University Of San Francisco, which ranked #5. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. General Architecture graduates of University Of San Francisco earn a median of about $76,078 a year early in their careers.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their general architecture graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 5 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.
