Architecture Degree in Alexandria, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Architecture degree analysis for Alexandria, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$59K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$84K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.1 yrs
in Alexandria
Cost of Living
102
index (100 = avg)
Architecture in Alexandria, VA Overview
Alexandria, Virginia (pop. 159,467) has 8 colleges offering Architecture programs. The local cost of living index of 102 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $930/month. Architecture enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in AutoCAD and Revit. The adjusted starting salary in Alexandria is approximately $59,160.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
8
Public Tuition
$14,726/yr
Private Tuition
$40,924/yr
Room & Board
$9,270/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,142/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
74%
Architecture Salary in Alexandria (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Alexandria's cost of living index of 102 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Architecture salary: $58,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $105,000 senior level.Alexandria adjustment factor: 1.02x based on the local cost of living index.
Architecture ROI Calculator for Alexandria
Estimate your return on investment for a Architecture degree using local Alexandria tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,726 | Private avg: $40,924
Alexandria avg aid: $8,142/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$95,984
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$23,460
vs HS diploma in Alexandria
ROI Payback Period
4.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Alexandria
$393,616
Lifetime earnings premium ($489,600) minus total education cost ($95,984)
Student Loan Payoff for Architecture in Alexandria
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Alexandria for Architecture
Virginia Tech Northern Virginia
public
$14,726/yr
$58,904 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Northern Virginia Community College
$5,340/yr
Top Employers for Architecture in Alexandria
Alexandria offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Architecture graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Alexandria Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Architecture Job Titles
Architecture in Nearby Virginia Cities
Virginia Beach, VA
$51K starting · COL 88
13 colleges
Chesapeake, VA
$53K starting · COL 91
12 colleges
Arlington, VA
$83K starting · COL 142.5
9 colleges
Norfolk, VA
$54K starting · COL 93
16 colleges
Richmond, VA
$58K starting · COL 100
11 colleges
Newport News, VA
$54K starting · COL 92.5
7 colleges
Hampton, VA
$56K starting · COL 97
7 colleges
Roanoke, VA
$51K starting · COL 88.5
4 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Alexandria
UX Design
$51K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$51K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$51K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$49K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$51K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$51K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$51K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$51K starting · 9 yr ROI
Architecture Degree in Alexandria — 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 Architecture ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Alexandria.