# Architecture

> A program of study that is a precursor to an advanced degree in architecture. Includes instruction in architectural design, architectural graphics, architectural history, architectural technology, architectural theory and criticism, building technology, calculus, design studio, human factors, environmental architecture, geometry and trigonometry, physics, and technical drawing.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/programs/architecture
- CIP code: 04.02 (Architecture and Related Services)
- Colleges offering it: 114 at its most common degree level

## Outcomes by degree level (College Scorecard, 2025)

| Degree level | Colleges | Median earnings 1 yr | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median federal debt |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Certificate | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Associate's | 21 | not reported | $36,438 | not reported |
| Bachelor's | 114 | $54,927 | $67,178 | $24,447 |
| Master's | 79 | $63,583 | $73,496 | $33,891 |
| Doctoral | 21 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| First professional | 2 | not reported | $69,607 | not reported |
| Graduate/professional certificate | 18 | not reported | not reported | $32,890 |

## Colleges whose graduates earn the most (Bachelor's)

Only programs with at least 10 graduates are listed.

| College | Location | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: |
| [University of Notre Dame-South Bend](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-notre-dame-south-bend-in-3005) | Notre Dame, IN | $82,983 | $24,500 |
| [California State Polytechnic University-Pomona](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona-362) | Pomona, CA | $76,969 | $22,000 |
| [The University of Texas at Austin](https://www.collegesref.com/college/the-university-of-texas-at-austin-main-campus-2764) | Austin, TX | $76,808 | $27,250 |
| [North Carolina State University at Raleigh](https://www.collegesref.com/college/north-carolina-state-university-at-raleigh-1884) | Raleigh, NC | $76,695 | $28,978 |
| [University of California-Berkeley](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-berkeley-cal-2881) | Berkeley, CA | $76,679 | $13,156 |
| [Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute](https://www.collegesref.com/college/rensselaer-polytechnic-institute-rpi-2221) | Troy, NY | $75,551 | $31,000 |
| [Carnegie Mellon University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/carnegie-mellon-university-406) | Pittsburgh, PA | $73,439 | not reported |
| [Drexel University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/drexel-university-834) | Philadelphia, PA | $72,915 | $30,000 |
| [University of Nevada-Las Vegas](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-nevada-las-vegas-unlv-2976) | Las Vegas, NV | $72,468 | $15,157 |
| [Auburn University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/auburn-university-141) | Auburn, AL | $72,420 | $29,000 |

## Related careers (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk)

- [Architectural and Engineering Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/architectural-and-engineering-managers): $171,270 median pay
- [Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biofuels-biodiesel-technology-and-product-development-managers): $171,270 median pay
- [Architects, Except Landscape and Naval](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/architects-except-landscape-and-naval): $99,280 median pay
- [Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/architecture-teachers-postsecondary): $96,870 median pay

## More in Architecture and Related Services

- [Architectural Sciences and Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/architectural-sciences-and-technology): 103 colleges
- [City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/city-urban-community-and-regional-planning): 99 colleges
- [Landscape Architecture](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/landscape-architecture): 47 colleges
- [Interior Architecture](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/interior-architecture): 41 colleges
- [Environmental Design](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/environmental-design): 35 colleges
- Architectural History, Criticism, and Conservation: 21 colleges
- Real Estate Development: 15 colleges
- Architecture and Related Services, Other: 15 colleges

## Sources

- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
- NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/