Architecture Degree in Baltimore, MD — Salary & ROI 2026
Architecture degree analysis for Baltimore, MD. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$75K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$107K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.5 yrs
in Baltimore
Cost of Living
130
index (100 = avg)
Architecture in Baltimore, MD Overview
Baltimore is one of Maryland's top college towns, with 22 institutions and a student population of 30,415. Public tuition averages $12,096/year here — near the national average for public universities. Architecture enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in AutoCAD and Revit. The adjusted starting salary in Baltimore is approximately $75,400.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
22
Public Tuition
$12,096/yr
Private Tuition
$56,325/yr
Room & Board
$21,745/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,793/yr
Unemployment
6.3%
Graduation Rate
58%
Architecture Salary in Baltimore (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Baltimore's cost of living index of 130 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Architecture salary: $58,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $105,000 senior level.Baltimore adjustment factor: 1.30x based on the local cost of living index.
Architecture ROI Calculator for Baltimore
Estimate your return on investment for a Architecture degree using local Baltimore tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,096 | Private avg: $56,325
Baltimore avg aid: $8,793/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$135,364
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$29,900
vs HS diploma in Baltimore
ROI Payback Period
4.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Baltimore
$488,636
Lifetime earnings premium ($624,000) minus total education cost ($135,364)
Student Loan Payoff for Architecture in Baltimore
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Baltimore for Architecture
Johns Hopkins University
private
$60,480/yr
$241,920 total
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
public
$12,096/yr
$48,384 total
Loyola University Maryland
private
$52,170/yr
$208,680 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Baltimore City Community College
$3,768/yr
Top Employers for Architecture in Baltimore
Baltimore offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Architecture graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Baltimore Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Architecture Job Titles
Architecture in Nearby Maryland Cities
Columbia, MD
$74K starting · COL 127.2
4 colleges
Silver Spring, MD
$71K starting · COL 122.5
4 colleges
Frederick, MD
$65K starting · COL 112.5
4 colleges
Waldorf, MD
$70K starting · COL 120.7
4 colleges
Ellicott City, MD
$66K starting · COL 114.2
3 colleges
Glen Burnie, MD
$63K starting · COL 108.8
3 colleges
Rockville, MD
$75K starting · COL 128.5
3 colleges
Bethesda, MD
$68K starting · COL 116.7
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Baltimore
UX Design
$65K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$65K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$65K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$62K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$65K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$65K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$65K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$65K starting · 9 yr ROI
Architecture Degree in Baltimore — 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 Baltimore.