Architecture Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Design of buildings and structures balancing aesthetics, function, and safety.
Starting Salary
$58K
median
Mid-Career
$82K
salary
ROI Payback
5.5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
3.5%
rate
Architecture Overview
Design of buildings and structures balancing aesthetics, function, and safety.
Category
Arts & Design
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
60%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Limited
Underemployment
15%
Lifetime Premium
$480K
Female Graduates
45%
Architecture Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$22,500
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$22,500
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$457,500
Lifetime earnings premium ($480,000) minus net degree cost ($22,500)
Architecture Salary Progression
Common Architecture Careers
Architect
Design Manager
Urban Designer
Project Architect
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Architecture
#1
MIT
#2
Cornell
#3
Columbia
#4
Rice
#5
SCI-Arc
Related Majors
Architecture 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.
Architecture Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for architecture programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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