Architecture Degree in Fort Collins, CO — Salary & ROI 2026
Architecture degree analysis for Fort Collins, CO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$73K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$103K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.4 yrs
in Fort Collins
Cost of Living
126
index (100 = avg)
Architecture in Fort Collins, CO Overview
While Fort Collins has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Architecture students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $19,826/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Architecture enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in AutoCAD and Revit. The adjusted starting salary in Fort Collins is approximately $73,080.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$12,138/yr
Private Tuition
$33,574/yr
Room & Board
$19,826/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,695/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
49%
Architecture Salary in Fort Collins (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Fort Collins's cost of living index of 126 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Architecture salary: $58,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $105,000 senior level.Fort Collins adjustment factor: 1.26x based on the local cost of living index.
Architecture ROI Calculator for Fort Collins
Estimate your return on investment for a Architecture degree using local Fort Collins tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,138 | Private avg: $33,574
Fort Collins avg aid: $10,695/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$127,856
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$28,980
vs HS diploma in Fort Collins
ROI Payback Period
4.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Fort Collins
$476,944
Lifetime earnings premium ($604,800) minus total education cost ($127,856)
Student Loan Payoff for Architecture in Fort Collins
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Fort Collins for Architecture
Colorado State University
public
$12,138/yr
$48,552 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Front Range Community College
$4,419/yr
Top Employers for Architecture in Fort Collins
Fort Collins offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Architecture graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Fort Collins Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Architecture Job Titles
Architecture in Nearby Colorado Cities
Denver, CO
$74K starting · COL 128
31 colleges
Colorado Springs, CO
$71K starting · COL 122
22 colleges
Aurora, CO
$64K starting · COL 111
28 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 Fort Collins
UX Design
$63K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$63K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$63K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$60K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$63K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$63K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$63K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$63K starting · 9 yr ROI
Architecture Degree in Fort Collins — 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 Fort Collins.