Architecture Degree in Denver, CO — Salary & ROI 2026
Architecture degree analysis for Denver, CO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$74K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$105K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.6 yrs
in Denver
Cost of Living
128
index (100 = avg)
Architecture in Denver, CO Overview
Denver is one of Colorado's top college towns, with 31 institutions and a student population of 74,098. Public tuition averages $11,380/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 Denver is approximately $74,240.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
31
Public Tuition
$11,380/yr
Private Tuition
$49,039/yr
Room & Board
$14,960/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,823/yr
Unemployment
5.8%
Graduation Rate
65%
Architecture Salary in Denver (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Denver's cost of living index of 128 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Architecture salary: $58,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $105,000 senior level.Denver adjustment factor: 1.28x based on the local cost of living index.
Architecture ROI Calculator for Denver
Estimate your return on investment for a Architecture degree using local Denver tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,380 | Private avg: $49,039
Denver avg aid: $8,823/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$105,360
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$29,440
vs HS diploma in Denver
ROI Payback Period
3.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Denver
$509,040
Lifetime earnings premium ($614,400) minus total education cost ($105,360)
Student Loan Payoff for Architecture in Denver
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Denver for Architecture
University of Colorado Denver
public
$11,380/yr
$45,520 total
University of Denver
private
$56,268/yr
$225,072 total
Regis University
private
$41,810/yr
$167,240 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Community College of Denver
$4,419/yr
Top Employers for Architecture in Denver
Denver offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Architecture graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Denver Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Architecture Job Titles
Architecture in Nearby Colorado Cities
Colorado Springs, CO
$71K starting · COL 122
22 colleges
Aurora, CO
$64K starting · COL 111
28 colleges
Fort Collins, CO
$73K starting · COL 126
5 colleges
Lakewood, CO
$61K starting · COL 105.8
6 colleges
Thornton, CO
$59K starting · COL 102.5
6 colleges
Arvada, CO
$61K starting · COL 105.5
5 colleges
Westminster, CO
$60K starting · COL 103.8
5 colleges
Pueblo, CO
$71K starting · COL 122
13 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Denver
UX Design
$64K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$64K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$64K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$61K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$64K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$64K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$64K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$64K starting · 9 yr ROI
Architecture Degree in Denver — 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 Denver.