by our College Data Analytics Team
[Architectural Engineering](/majors/engineering/architectural-engineering/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find where architectural engineering graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Where you study architectural engineering affects what graduates go on to earn. That is why we developed our Highest Paid Architectural Engineering Graduates ranking. We rank each school on the early-career earnings of its architectural engineering graduates to surface the highest-paying programs.
Learn more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Highest Paid Architectural Engineering Graduates list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
Below are the schools whose architectural engineering graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is Illinois Institute Of Technology, our #1 for architectural engineering graduate salaries in the United States. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career architectural engineering graduates from Illinois Institute Of Technology make a median of around $91,045 per year.
Milwaukee School Of Engineering produces some of the highest-paid graduates in architectural engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Architectural Engineering graduates of Milwaukee School Of Engineering earn a median of about $88,204 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned it the #3 place for architectural engineering. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. Early-career architectural engineering graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo make a median of around $97,098 per year.
A rank of #4 makes Auburn University one of the highest-paying schools for architectural engineering. Auburn University is a public school located in the city of Auburn. Early-career architectural engineering graduates from Auburn University make a median of around $99,989 per year.
A rank of #5 makes The University Of Texas At Austin one of the highest-paying schools for architectural engineering. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Architectural Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of about $100,699 a year early in their careers.
Drexel University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying architectural engineering schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Architectural Engineering graduates of Drexel University earn a median of about $91,040 a year early in their careers.
University Of Colorado Boulder placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for architectural engineering. University Of Colorado Boulder is a public school located in the city of Boulder. Early-career architectural engineering graduates from University Of Colorado Boulder make a median of around $90,523 per year.
Kansas State University landed the #8 spot for architectural engineering salaries this year. Kansas State University is a public school located in the city of Manhattan. Students who complete the architectural engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $88,031.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned the #9 position for architectural engineering graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public institution. Students who complete the architectural engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $87,360.
University Of Kansas ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying architectural engineering schools. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a public institution. Architectural Engineering graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of about $76,353 a year early in their careers.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #11 spot for architectural engineering salaries this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Early-career architectural engineering graduates from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus make a median of around $72,691 per year.
North Carolina A And T State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying architectural engineering schools. North Carolina A And T State University is a public school located in the city of Greensboro. After graduating, architectural engineering degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University typically earn about $76,509 annually.
University Of Wyoming placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for architectural engineering. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a public institution. Early-career architectural engineering graduates from University Of Wyoming make a median of around $73,951 per year.
Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for architectural engineering. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a public school located in the town of Kingsville. Students who complete the architectural engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $55,459.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their architectural engineering graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 14 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.
