Architecture Degree in Dallas, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Architecture degree analysis for Dallas, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$60K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$85K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.2 yrs
in Dallas
Cost of Living
104
index (100 = avg)
Architecture in Dallas, TX Overview
Dallas is one of Texas's top college towns, with 82 institutions and a student population of 75,338. Public tuition averages $11,274/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Architecture enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in AutoCAD and Revit. The adjusted starting salary in Dallas is approximately $60,320.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
82
Public Tuition
$11,274/yr
Private Tuition
$58,540/yr
Room & Board
$13,911/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,498/yr
Unemployment
6.7%
Graduation Rate
73%
Architecture Salary in Dallas (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Dallas's cost of living index of 104 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Architecture salary: $58,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $105,000 senior level.Dallas adjustment factor: 1.04x based on the local cost of living index.
Architecture ROI Calculator for Dallas
Estimate your return on investment for a Architecture degree using local Dallas tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,274 | Private avg: $58,540
Dallas avg aid: $14,498/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$100,740
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$23,920
vs HS diploma in Dallas
ROI Payback Period
4.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Dallas
$398,460
Lifetime earnings premium ($499,200) minus total education cost ($100,740)
Student Loan Payoff for Architecture in Dallas
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Dallas for Architecture
University of Texas at Dallas
public
$14,032/yr
$56,128 total
Southern Methodist University
private
$58,540/yr
$234,160 total
University of North Texas at Dallas
public
$8,516/yr
$34,064 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Dallas College
$2,220/yr
Top Employers for Architecture in Dallas
Dallas offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Architecture graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Dallas Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Architecture Job Titles
Architecture in Nearby Texas Cities
Houston, TX
$67K starting · COL 115
90 colleges
San Antonio, TX
$70K starting · COL 120
58 colleges
Austin, TX
$62K starting · COL 107
30 colleges
Fort Worth, TX
$59K starting · COL 101
19 colleges
El Paso, TX
$54K starting · COL 93
38 colleges
Arlington, TX
$54K starting · COL 93.5
14 colleges
Corpus Christi, TX
$48K starting · COL 82
22 colleges
Plano, TX
$49K starting · COL 85
9 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Dallas
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
$50K 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 Dallas — 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 Dallas.