Architecture Degree in Baton Rouge, LA — Salary & ROI 2026
Architecture degree analysis for Baton Rouge, LA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$48K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$67K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5 yrs
in Baton Rouge
Cost of Living
82
index (100 = avg)
Architecture in Baton Rouge, LA Overview
Baton Rouge, Louisiana (pop. 227,470) has 16 colleges offering Architecture programs. The local cost of living index of 82 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $871/month. Architecture enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in AutoCAD and Revit. The adjusted starting salary in Baton Rouge is approximately $47,560.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
16
Public Tuition
$9,889/yr
Private Tuition
$38,908/yr
Room & Board
$13,546/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,166/yr
Unemployment
5.6%
Graduation Rate
68%
Architecture Salary in Baton Rouge (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Baton Rouge's cost of living index of 82 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Architecture salary: $58,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $105,000 senior level.Baton Rouge adjustment factor: 0.82x based on the local cost of living index.
Architecture ROI Calculator for Baton Rouge
Estimate your return on investment for a Architecture degree using local Baton Rouge tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,889 | Private avg: $38,908
Baton Rouge avg aid: $9,166/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$93,740
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,860
vs HS diploma in Baton Rouge
ROI Payback Period
5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Baton Rouge
$299,860
Lifetime earnings premium ($393,600) minus total education cost ($93,740)
Student Loan Payoff for Architecture in Baton Rouge
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Baton Rouge for Architecture
Louisiana State University
public
$11,962/yr
$47,848 total
Southern University
public
$7,816/yr
$31,264 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Baton Rouge Community College
$4,236/yr
Top Employers for Architecture in Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Architecture graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Baton Rouge Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Architecture Job Titles
Architecture in Nearby Louisiana Cities
New Orleans, LA
$52K starting · COL 90
23 colleges
Shreveport, LA
$57K starting · COL 99
14 colleges
Metairie, LA
$52K starting · COL 89.4
6 colleges
Lafayette, LA
$60K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Lake Charles, LA
$46K starting · COL 80
6 colleges
Bossier City, LA
$51K starting · COL 87.8
3 colleges
Kenner, LA
$54K starting · COL 92.5
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Baton Rouge
UX Design
$41K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$41K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$41K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$39K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$41K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$41K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$41K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$41K starting · 9 yr ROI
Architecture Degree in Baton Rouge — 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 Baton Rouge.