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Architecture Degree in Athens, GA — Salary & ROI 2026

Architecture degree analysis for Athens, GA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$60K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$84K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

3.8 yrs

in Athens

Cost of Living

103

index (100 = avg)

Architecture in Athens, GA Overview

Athens, Georgia (pop. 127,064) has 11 colleges offering Architecture programs. The local cost of living index of 103 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $743/month. Architecture enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in AutoCAD and Revit. The adjusted starting salary in Athens is approximately $59,740.

Category

Arts & Design

Local Colleges

11

Public Tuition

$12,080/yr

Private Tuition

$42,791/yr

Room & Board

$10,251/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$13,146/yr

Unemployment

5.4%

Graduation Rate

50%

Architecture Salary in Athens (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Athens's cost of living index of 103 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$59,740(+$1,740 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$84,460(+$2,460 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$108,150(+$3,150 vs national)

Note: National average Architecture salary: $58,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $105,000 senior level.Athens adjustment factor: 1.03x based on the local cost of living index.

Architecture ROI Calculator for Athens

Estimate your return on investment for a Architecture degree using local Athens tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $12,080 | Private avg: $42,791

Athens avg aid: $13,146/yr

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

Total Education Cost

$89,324

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$23,690

vs HS diploma in Athens

ROI Payback Period

3.8 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Athens

$405,076

Lifetime earnings premium ($494,400) minus total education cost ($89,324)

Student Loan Payoff for Architecture in Athens

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$89,324
Monthly Payment$1,014
Total Interest$32,387
% of Monthly Income20%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$89,324
Monthly Payment$1,748
Total Interest$15,540
Interest Savings$16,847

Colleges in Athens for Architecture

University of Georgia

public

$12,080/yr

$48,320 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Athens Technical College

$3,152/yr

Top Employers for Architecture in Athens

Athens offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Architecture graduates. National top employers in this field include:

GenslerSOMHOKPerkins&WillFoster + Partners

Key Athens Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design

Design agencies

Studios

Tech companies

Advertising firms

Media companies

Common Architecture Job Titles

ArchitectDesign ManagerUrban DesignerProject Architect

Architecture Degree in Athens — 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.

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Compare Architecture ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Athens.

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