Architecture Degree in Lafayette, LA — Salary & ROI 2026
Architecture degree analysis for Lafayette, LA. 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
3.6 yrs
in Lafayette
Cost of Living
104
index (100 = avg)
Architecture in Lafayette, LA Overview
While Lafayette has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Architecture students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $11,349/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 Lafayette is approximately $60,320.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$10,374/yr
Private Tuition
$38,796/yr
Room & Board
$11,349/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,367/yr
Unemployment
4.8%
Graduation Rate
66%
Architecture Salary in Lafayette (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lafayette'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.Lafayette adjustment factor: 1.04x based on the local cost of living index.
Architecture ROI Calculator for Lafayette
Estimate your return on investment for a Architecture degree using local Lafayette tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,374 | Private avg: $38,796
Lafayette avg aid: $7,367/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$86,892
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$23,920
vs HS diploma in Lafayette
ROI Payback Period
3.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lafayette
$412,308
Lifetime earnings premium ($499,200) minus total education cost ($86,892)
Student Loan Payoff for Architecture in Lafayette
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lafayette for Architecture
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
public
$10,374/yr
$41,496 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
South Louisiana Community College
$4,236/yr
Top Employers for Architecture in Lafayette
Lafayette offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Architecture graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lafayette Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Architecture Job Titles
Architecture in Nearby Louisiana Cities
New Orleans, LA
$52K starting · COL 90
23 colleges
Baton Rouge, LA
$48K starting · COL 82
16 colleges
Shreveport, LA
$57K starting · COL 99
14 colleges
Metairie, LA
$52K starting · COL 89.4
6 colleges
Lake Charles, LA
$46K starting · COL 80
6 colleges
Bossier City, LA
$51K starting · COL 87.8
3 colleges
Kenner, LA
$54K starting · COL 92.5
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Lafayette
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 Lafayette — 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 Lafayette.