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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the early-career earnings of their general architecture graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose general architecture graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in general architecture, no school beat University Of Notre Dame this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general architecture graduates from University Of Notre Dame make a median of around $78,022 per year.
Ball State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general architecture schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a public institution. Early-career general architecture graduates from Ball State University make a median of around $62,012 per year.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general architecture schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Cincinnati. General Architecture graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of about $63,644 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in general architecture will find them at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. Students who complete the general architecture program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,605.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the highest-paying schools for general architecture. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. General Architecture graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of about $65,185 a year early in their careers.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #6 spot for general architecture salaries this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. Early-career general architecture graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale make a median of around $56,459 per year.
Judson University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for general architecture. Set in the city of Elgin, Judson University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general architecture graduates from Judson University make a median of around $58,276 per year.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #8 position for general architecture graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a public institution. Early-career general architecture graduates from Kent State University At Kent make a median of around $62,429 per year.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general architecture schools. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public school located in the city of Chicago. After graduating, general architecture degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago typically earn about $61,866 annually.
This ranking is produced 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 · 9 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.