Architecture Degree in Fremont, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Architecture degree analysis for Fremont, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$61K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$86K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.2 yrs
in Fremont
Cost of Living
105
index (100 = avg)
Architecture in Fremont, CA Overview
Fremont is one of California's top college towns, with 24 institutions and a student population of 9,210. Public tuition averages $1,540/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 Fremont is approximately $60,900.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
24
Public Tuition
$1,540/yr
Private Tuition
$60,373/yr
Room & Board
$17,934/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,692/yr
Unemployment
3.7%
Graduation Rate
56%
Architecture Salary in Fremont (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Fremont's cost of living index of 105 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Architecture salary: $58,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $105,000 senior level.Fremont adjustment factor: 1.05x based on the local cost of living index.
Architecture ROI Calculator for Fremont
Estimate your return on investment for a Architecture degree using local Fremont tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $1,540 | Private avg: $60,373
Fremont avg aid: $13,692/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$77,896
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$24,150
vs HS diploma in Fremont
ROI Payback Period
3.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Fremont
$426,104
Lifetime earnings premium ($504,000) minus total education cost ($77,896)
Student Loan Payoff for Architecture in Fremont
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Fremont for Architecture
Ohlone College
public
$1,540/yr
$6,160 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Ohlone College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Architecture in Fremont
Fremont offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Architecture graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Fremont Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Architecture Job Titles
Architecture in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$82K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$81K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$75K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$66K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$68K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$65K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$67K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$77K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Fremont
UX Design
$53K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$53K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$53K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$50K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$53K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$53K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$53K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$53K starting · 9 yr ROI
Architecture Degree in Fremont — 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 Fremont.