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).
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)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
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:
Key Athens Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Architecture Job Titles
Architecture in Nearby Georgia Cities
Atlanta, GA
$59K starting · COL 101
23 colleges
Columbus, GA
$49K starting · COL 84.5
8 colleges
Augusta, GA
$48K starting · COL 83
11 colleges
Macon, GA
$59K starting · COL 101
13 colleges
Savannah, GA
$55K starting · COL 95
12 colleges
Sandy Springs, GA
$65K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Roswell, GA
$63K starting · COL 108.2
4 colleges
Johns Creek, GA
$65K starting · COL 112.8
4 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Athens
UX Design
$52K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$52K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$52K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$49K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$52K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$52K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$52K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$52K starting · 9 yr ROI
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.
Explore More
Compare Architecture ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Athens.