Architecture Degree in Charleston, SC — Salary & ROI 2026
Architecture degree analysis for Charleston, SC. 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
4.4 yrs
in Charleston
Cost of Living
103
index (100 = avg)
Architecture in Charleston, SC Overview
Charleston, South Carolina (pop. 150,277) has 9 colleges offering Architecture programs. The local cost of living index of 103 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,168/month. Architecture enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in AutoCAD and Revit. The adjusted starting salary in Charleston is approximately $59,740.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$13,659/yr
Private Tuition
$29,969/yr
Room & Board
$12,112/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,774/yr
Unemployment
6.2%
Graduation Rate
62%
Architecture Salary in Charleston (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Charleston'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.Charleston adjustment factor: 1.03x based on the local cost of living index.
Architecture ROI Calculator for Charleston
Estimate your return on investment for a Architecture degree using local Charleston tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,659 | Private avg: $29,969
Charleston avg aid: $7,774/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,084
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$23,690
vs HS diploma in Charleston
ROI Payback Period
4.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Charleston
$391,316
Lifetime earnings premium ($494,400) minus total education cost ($103,084)
Student Loan Payoff for Architecture in Charleston
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Charleston for Architecture
College of Charleston
public
$12,622/yr
$50,488 total
The Citadel
public
$14,696/yr
$58,784 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Trident Technical College
$5,064/yr
Top Employers for Architecture in Charleston
Charleston offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Architecture graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Charleston Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Architecture Job Titles
Architecture in Nearby South Carolina Cities
Other Arts & Design Majors in Charleston
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 Charleston — 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 Charleston.