Architecture Degree in Cincinnati, OH — Salary & ROI 2026
Architecture degree analysis for Cincinnati, OH. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$59K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$84K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.3 yrs
in Cincinnati
Cost of Living
102
index (100 = avg)
Architecture in Cincinnati, OH Overview
Cincinnati is one of Ohio's top college towns, with 28 institutions and a student population of 32,655. Public tuition averages $12,226/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 Cincinnati is approximately $59,160.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
28
Public Tuition
$12,226/yr
Private Tuition
$43,040/yr
Room & Board
$12,772/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,666/yr
Unemployment
3.1%
Graduation Rate
70%
Architecture Salary in Cincinnati (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Cincinnati's cost of living index of 102 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Architecture salary: $58,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $105,000 senior level.Cincinnati adjustment factor: 1.02x based on the local cost of living index.
Architecture ROI Calculator for Cincinnati
Estimate your return on investment for a Architecture degree using local Cincinnati tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,226 | Private avg: $43,040
Cincinnati avg aid: $12,666/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$99,992
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$23,460
vs HS diploma in Cincinnati
ROI Payback Period
4.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Cincinnati
$389,608
Lifetime earnings premium ($489,600) minus total education cost ($99,992)
Student Loan Payoff for Architecture in Cincinnati
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Cincinnati for Architecture
University of Cincinnati
public
$12,226/yr
$48,904 total
Xavier University
private
$43,040/yr
$172,160 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
$5,004/yr
Top Employers for Architecture in Cincinnati
Cincinnati offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Architecture graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Cincinnati Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Architecture Job Titles
Architecture in Nearby Ohio Cities
Columbus, OH
$60K starting · COL 103
31 colleges
Cleveland, OH
$56K starting · COL 96
20 colleges
Toledo, OH
$63K starting · COL 108
16 colleges
Akron, OH
$61K starting · COL 105
5 colleges
Dayton, OH
$60K starting · COL 104
9 colleges
Parma, OH
$52K starting · COL 90
4 colleges
Canton, OH
$49K starting · COL 84
4 colleges
Lorain, OH
$49K starting · COL 85.2
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Cincinnati
UX Design
$51K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$51K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$51K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$49K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$51K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$51K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$51K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$51K starting · 9 yr ROI
Architecture Degree in Cincinnati — 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 Cincinnati.