by our College Data Analytics Team
[Architectural Engineering](/majors/engineering/architectural-engineering/) 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 14 schools on the early-career earnings of their architectural engineering graduates.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send architectural engineering graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
For graduate earnings in architectural engineering, no school beat Illinois Institute Of Technology this year. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Architectural Engineering graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of about $91,045 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Milwaukee School Of Engineering earned it the #2 place for architectural engineering. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the architectural engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $88,204.
Students chasing top earnings in architectural engineering will find them at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, which ranked #3. Set 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. After graduating, architectural engineering degree recipients from Auburn University typically earn about $99,989 annually.
A rank of #5 makes The University Of Texas At Austin one of the highest-paying schools for architectural engineering. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school located in the city of Austin. After graduating, architectural engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin typically earn about $100,699 annually.
Drexel University came in at #6 for architectural engineering graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, architectural engineering degree recipients from Drexel University typically earn about $91,040 annually.
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #7 for architectural engineering graduate earnings this year. University Of Colorado Boulder is a public school located in the city of Boulder. Architectural Engineering graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of about $90,523 a year early in their careers.
Kansas State University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for architectural engineering. 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 placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for architectural engineering. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public school located in the town of Rolla. Students who complete the architectural engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $87,360.
University Of Kansas earned the #10 position for architectural engineering graduate earnings this year. Set 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. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a public institution. After graduating, architectural engineering degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University typically earn about $76,509 annually.
University Of Wyoming ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying architectural engineering schools. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a public institution. After graduating, architectural engineering degree recipients from University Of Wyoming typically earn about $73,951 annually.
Texas A And M University Kingsville came in at #14 for architectural engineering graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a public institution. Students who complete the architectural engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $55,459.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Architectural Engineering rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced 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.
