Architecture Degree in Eugene, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Architecture degree analysis for Eugene, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$75K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$107K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.2 yrs
in Eugene
Cost of Living
130
index (100 = avg)
Architecture in Eugene, OR Overview
Eugene, Oregon (pop. 176,654) has 14 colleges offering Architecture programs. The local cost of living index of 130 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,157/month. Architecture enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in AutoCAD and Revit. The adjusted starting salary in Eugene is approximately $75,400.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$12,720/yr
Private Tuition
$33,710/yr
Room & Board
$18,672/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,904/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
68%
Architecture Salary in Eugene (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Eugene's cost of living index of 130 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Architecture salary: $58,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $105,000 senior level.Eugene adjustment factor: 1.30x based on the local cost of living index.
Architecture ROI Calculator for Eugene
Estimate your return on investment for a Architecture degree using local Eugene tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,720 | Private avg: $33,710
Eugene avg aid: $14,904/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$125,568
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$29,900
vs HS diploma in Eugene
ROI Payback Period
4.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Eugene
$498,432
Lifetime earnings premium ($624,000) minus total education cost ($125,568)
Student Loan Payoff for Architecture in Eugene
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Eugene for Architecture
University of Oregon
public
$12,720/yr
$50,880 total
Northwest Christian University
private
$33,710/yr
$134,840 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lane Community College
$4,536/yr
Top Employers for Architecture in Eugene
Eugene offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Architecture graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Eugene Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Architecture Job Titles
Architecture in Nearby Oregon Cities
Portland, OR
$65K starting · COL 112
24 colleges
Salem, OR
$70K starting · COL 120
14 colleges
Gresham, OR
$64K starting · COL 110.2
5 colleges
Hillsboro, OR
$67K starting · COL 115.5
5 colleges
Bend, OR
$62K starting · COL 107
2 colleges
Beaverton, OR
$61K starting · COL 105.9
4 colleges
Medford, OR
$64K starting · COL 111
4 colleges
Springfield, OR
$70K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Eugene
UX Design
$65K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$65K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$65K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$62K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$65K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$65K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$65K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$65K starting · 9 yr ROI
Architecture Degree in Eugene — 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 Eugene.