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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 31 schools to find where general architecture graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose general architecture graduates go on to earn the most.
University Of California Berkeley tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying general architecture schools in the United States. University Of California Berkeley is a public school located in the city of Berkeley. Students who complete the general architecture program here go on to a median salary of roughly $96,739.
A rank of #2 makes Yale University one of the highest-paying schools for general architecture. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general architecture graduates from Yale University make a median of around $87,905 per year.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general architecture, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. General Architecture graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of about $87,746 a year early in their careers.
Harvard University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general architecture, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general architecture graduates from Harvard University make a median of around $85,413 per year.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general architecture schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a public school located in the city of Los Angeles. After graduating, general architecture degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles typically earn about $84,020 annually.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #6 for general architecture graduate earnings this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Early-career general architecture graduates from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor make a median of around $77,657 per year.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for general architecture. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. General Architecture graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $76,712 a year early in their careers.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general architecture schools. Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. General Architecture graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of about $74,222 a year early in their careers.
University At Buffalo earned the #9 position for general architecture graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a public institution. General Architecture graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of about $73,925 a year early in their careers.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #10 for general architecture graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public institution. General Architecture graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of about $70,278 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #11 position for general architecture graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. General Architecture graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of about $69,631 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Tennessee placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for general architecture. The University Of Tennessee is a public school located in the city of Knoxville. Early-career general architecture graduates from The University Of Tennessee make a median of around $68,939 per year.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #13 spot for general architecture salaries this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. General Architecture graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of about $80,358 a year early in their careers.
Portland State University placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for general architecture. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a public institution. Early-career general architecture graduates from Portland State University make a median of around $67,836 per year.
University Of Florida ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general architecture schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a public institution. Students who complete the general architecture program here go on to a median salary of roughly $72,791.
University Of Notre Dame ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general architecture schools. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. General Architecture graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of about $65,883 a year early in their careers.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #17 spot for general architecture salaries this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. General Architecture graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of about $76,175 a year early in their careers.
Texas Tech University earned the #18 position for general architecture graduate earnings this year. Texas Tech University is a public school located in the city of Lubbock. Students who complete the general architecture program here go on to a median salary of roughly $72,822.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #19 for general architecture graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. General Architecture graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of about $72,536 a year early in their careers.
North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for general architecture. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. General Architecture graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of about $68,652 a year early in their careers.
Judson University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general architecture schools. Set in the city of Elgin, Judson University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general architecture degree recipients from Judson University typically earn about $68,632 annually.
Norwich University landed the #22 spot for general architecture salaries this year. Norwich University is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Northfield. Students who complete the general architecture program here go on to a median salary of roughly $68,095.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #23 spot for general architecture salaries this year. Kent State University At Kent is a public school located in the suburb of Kent. Early-career general architecture graduates from Kent State University At Kent make a median of around $68,448 per year.
University Of Idaho came in at #24 for general architecture graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a public institution. General Architecture graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of about $65,127 a year early in their careers.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for general architecture. 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 $70,582 annually.
These schools also send general architecture graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid General Architecture rankings across degree levels:
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 · 31 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.
