Architectural Engineering Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Integration of engineering principles with architectural design for building systems.
Starting Salary
$78K
median
Mid-Career
$110K
salary
ROI Payback
2.5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
2%
rate
Architectural Engineering Overview
Integration of engineering principles with architectural design for building systems.
Category
Engineering
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
82%
Enrollment Trend
growing
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
5%
Lifetime Premium
$1200K
Female Graduates
30%
Architectural Engineering Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$21,600
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$21,600
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$1,178,400
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,200,000) minus net degree cost ($21,600)
Architectural Engineering Salary Progression
Common Architectural Engineering Careers
Structural Engineer
Building Systems Engineer
MEP Engineer
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Architectural Engineering
#1
Penn State
#2
University of Texas
#3
University of Kansas
#4
Cal Poly
#5
Drexel
Related Majors
Architectural Engineering Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Methodology & Education Data Sources
How we calculate Architectural Engineering degree outcomes: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide an accurate national view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.
- Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition reflects 4-year public/private national weighted averages.
- Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, updated annually with national-level data.
- 10-year ROI formula: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Loan Interest).
- Job market outlook uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024–2034 base period).
- Default rates and outcomes sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks earnings and debt repayment by institution and major.
Authoritative US education data sources:
- IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
- College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates by major
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Architectural Engineering career projections 2024–2034
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant programs
- NCES Digest of Education Statistics — enrollment, graduation, and tuition trends
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Architectural Engineering graduates
Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, and economic conditions. Always verify tuition with the institution directly and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release
Architectural Engineering Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for architectural engineering programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
Compare All College Majors
Analyze ROI, salary potential, and career outcomes for 150+ college majors.