Architecture Degree in Columbia, MO — Salary & ROI 2026
Architecture degree analysis for Columbia, MO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$49K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$69K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.6 yrs
in Columbia
Cost of Living
84
index (100 = avg)
Architecture in Columbia, MO Overview
Columbia, Missouri (pop. 126,254) has 10 colleges offering Architecture programs. The local cost of living index of 84 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,005/month. Architecture enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in AutoCAD and Revit. The adjusted starting salary in Columbia is approximately $48,720.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$11,142/yr
Private Tuition
$31,070/yr
Room & Board
$10,910/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,890/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
63%
Architecture Salary in Columbia (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Columbia's cost of living index of 84 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Architecture salary: $58,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $105,000 senior level.Columbia adjustment factor: 0.84x based on the local cost of living index.
Architecture ROI Calculator for Columbia
Estimate your return on investment for a Architecture degree using local Columbia tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,142 | Private avg: $31,070
Columbia avg aid: $16,890/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$88,208
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$19,320
vs HS diploma in Columbia
ROI Payback Period
4.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Columbia
$314,992
Lifetime earnings premium ($403,200) minus total education cost ($88,208)
Student Loan Payoff for Architecture in Columbia
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Columbia for Architecture
University of Missouri
public
$11,142/yr
$44,568 total
Stephens College
private
$31,070/yr
$124,280 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Moberly Area Community College Columbia
$3,900/yr
Top Employers for Architecture in Columbia
Columbia offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Architecture graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Columbia Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Architecture Job Titles
Architecture in Nearby Missouri Cities
Kansas City, MO
$55K starting · COL 94
44 colleges
St. Louis, MO
$56K starting · COL 97
23 colleges
Springfield, MO
$46K starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Independence, MO
$50K starting · COL 85.8
5 colleges
Lee's Summit, MO
$55K starting · COL 95.5
4 colleges
OFallon, MO
$51K starting · COL 87.3
4 colleges
St. Joseph, MO
$52K starting · COL 90.4
3 colleges
St. Charles, MO
$48K starting · COL 83.4
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Columbia
UX Design
$42K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$42K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$42K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$40K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$42K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$42K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$42K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$42K starting · 9 yr ROI
Architecture Degree in Columbia — 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 Columbia.