Architecture Degree in Lee's Summit, MO — Salary & ROI 2026
Architecture degree analysis for Lee's Summit, MO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$55K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$78K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.4 yrs
in Lee's Summit
Cost of Living
95.5
index (100 = avg)
Architecture in Lee's Summit, MO Overview
While Lee's Summit has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Architecture students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $14,180/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 Lee's Summit is approximately $55,390.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,200/yr
Private Tuition
$30,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,180/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,461/yr
Unemployment
2.8%
Graduation Rate
45%
Architecture Salary in Lee's Summit (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lee's Summit's cost of living index of 95.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Architecture salary: $58,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $105,000 senior level.Lee's Summit adjustment factor: 0.95x based on the local cost of living index.
Architecture ROI Calculator for Lee's Summit
Estimate your return on investment for a Architecture degree using local Lee's Summit tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,200 | Private avg: $30,000
Lee's Summit avg aid: $8,461/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$97,520
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$21,965
vs HS diploma in Lee's Summit
ROI Payback Period
4.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lee's Summit
$360,880
Lifetime earnings premium ($458,400) minus total education cost ($97,520)
Student Loan Payoff for Architecture in Lee's Summit
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lee's Summit for Architecture
Lee's Summit State University
public
$9,311/yr
$37,244 total
University of Lee's Summit
public
$11,299/yr
$45,196 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lee's Summit Community College
$5,472/yr
Top Employers for Architecture in Lee's Summit
Lee's Summit offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Architecture graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lee's Summit Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Architecture Job Titles
Architecture in Nearby Missouri Cities
Kansas City, MO
$55K starting · COL 94
44 colleges
St. Louis, MO
$56K starting · COL 97
23 colleges
Springfield, MO
$46K starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Columbia, MO
$49K starting · COL 84
10 colleges
Independence, MO
$50K starting · COL 85.8
5 colleges
OFallon, MO
$51K starting · COL 87.3
4 colleges
St. Joseph, MO
$52K starting · COL 90.4
3 colleges
St. Charles, MO
$48K starting · COL 83.4
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Lee's Summit
UX Design
$48K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$48K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$48K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$46K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$48K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$48K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$48K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$48K starting · 9 yr ROI
Architecture Degree in Lee's Summit — 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 Lee's Summit.