by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 13 U.S. colleges awarded 173 degrees and certificates in Architecture (Other). Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 49% of graduates. College Factual ranks 6 schools in its 2027 Best Architecture (Other) Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $38,931 one year after completing, rising to $62,454 after four years.
Architecture is a huge field with many different concentrations and specialties. You can take the traditional path and become an architect working in a firm, or you can specialize and become an architectural engineer or an architectural teacher. There are many different careers that you can choose in this field.
Courses will vary depending on what you decide to specialize in, however there will many general classes that you will take in the architectural field. Some general courses may include three dimensional modeling, engineering, physics, drafting, mathematics, and working drawings.
A degree in Architecture (Other) involves the study of Architecture And Related Services, Other.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, architecture (other) is a popular field of study, with 173 degrees awarded annually. 13 colleges award architecture (other) degrees, an average of 13 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 40.
By level, the 173 awards include 4 associate degrees, 82 bachelor’s degrees and 84 master’s degrees.
Women earned 69% of architecture (other) degrees and certificates in the latest year (119 of 173). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (115) and Hispanic or Latino (20), and international students earned 9.
College Factual ranks 6 schools in its 2027 Best Architecture (Other) Schools ranking, including 3 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks architecture (other) schools within 2 states. In all, 13 colleges offer architecture (other) programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Architecture (Other) Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common architecture (other) credential is the master’s degree: 84 of the 173 awarded in the latest year.
As someone who wants to become an architect, you should be creative and determined. You need persistence when working with measurements and drawings, and patience with your teammates, your clients, or even your students. Architecture can be very tedious work, but it is very rewarding when it is finally accomplished.
Strong math skills are needed along with a clear understanding of physics and engineering. Students will need to conceptualize space and be alert to even the tiniest error. An architect should be ready to put in long hours. Though not an easy field, architects learn to appreciate the small break through moments. It is important to be self-confident in this field and to be able to take criticism in order to grow and develop as a professional.
How long an architecture (other) degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 4 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 82 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 84 |
There are many different career paths that can be chosen. Less traditional paths can include careers like teaching and architectural engineering. These careers allow for the incorporation of architecture to be taken in a more personal direction. Explore the options available to you and be sure to choose a school that has the program you desire.
An advanced degree may be necessary depending on your chosen career. It is important to know what you want to specialize in because some degrees are only available at a handful of U.S. colleges. This is a very rigorous and competitive field of study, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. Depending on what you specialize in, employment opportunities can be high, such as in the field of Architectural Engineering. In other fields competition for jobs may be fierce. Salary will depend on your field, and whether you are self employed or work for an architectural firm.
Architecture (Other) graduates earn a median $38,931 one year after completing their program, $62,454 after four years and $65,331 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $38,931 |
| 4 years | $62,454 |
| 5 years | $65,331 |
Source: College Scorecard.
Architecture (Other) includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Architecture and Related Services, Other (173). It has 8 similar majors in the Architecture/Urban Planning field, which together award 21,036 degrees a year; the largest are Architectural Sciences and Technology (10,337), Architecture (4,669) and City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning (2,179). Browse all Architecture/Urban Planning majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Architecture and Related Services, Other | 173 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | 10,337 |
| Architecture | 4,669 |
| City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning | 2,179 |
| Landscape Architecture | 1,321 |
| Interior Architecture | 933 |
| Environmental Design | 773 |
| Real Estate Development | 608 |
| Architectural History, Criticism, and Conservation | 216 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
