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Architectural Engineering Degree in Garland, TX — Salary & ROI 2026

Architectural Engineering degree analysis for Garland, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$69K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$98K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

2.3 yrs

in Garland

Cost of Living

89

index (100 = avg)

Architectural Engineering in Garland, TX Overview

Garland is one of Texas's top college towns, with 23 institutions and a student population of 18,986. Public tuition averages $11,277/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Architectural Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Structural Systems and Building Physics skills. The adjusted starting salary in Garland is approximately $69,420.

Category

Engineering

Local Colleges

23

Public Tuition

$11,277/yr

Private Tuition

$7,560/yr

Room & Board

$10,998/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$11,785/yr

Unemployment

5.3%

Graduation Rate

55%

Architectural Engineering Salary in Garland (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Garland's cost of living index of 89 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$69,420($-8,580 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$97,900($-12,100 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$124,600($-15,400 vs national)

Note: National average Architectural Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $140,000 senior level.Garland adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.

Architectural Engineering ROI Calculator for Garland

Estimate your return on investment for a Architectural Engineering degree using local Garland tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $11,277 | Private avg: $7,560

Garland avg aid: $11,785/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$89,100

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$38,270

vs HS diploma in Garland

ROI Payback Period

2.3 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Garland

$978,900

Lifetime earnings premium ($1,068,000) minus total education cost ($89,100)

Student Loan Payoff for Architectural Engineering in Garland

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$89,100
Monthly Payment$1,012
Total Interest$32,305
% of Monthly Income17%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$89,100
Monthly Payment$1,743
Total Interest$15,501
Interest Savings$16,805

Colleges in Garland for Architectural Engineering

Amberton University

private

$7,560/yr

$30,240 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Dallas College Richland Campus

$2,220/yr

Top Employers for Architectural Engineering in Garland

Garland offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Architectural Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:

Thornton TomasettiArupHOKSkidmore Owings

Key Garland Hiring Sectors for Engineering

Engineering firms

Manufacturing

Defense contractors

Energy companies

Construction firms

Common Architectural Engineering Job Titles

Structural EngineerBuilding Systems EngineerMEP Engineer

Architectural Engineering Degree in Garland — FAQ

Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.

Explore More

Compare Architectural Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Garland.

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