Architecture Degree in Metairie, LA — Salary & ROI 2026
Architecture degree analysis for Metairie, LA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$73K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.5 yrs
in Metairie
Cost of Living
89.4
index (100 = avg)
Architecture in Metairie, LA Overview
Metairie, Louisiana (pop. 138,481) has 6 colleges offering Architecture programs. The local cost of living index of 89.4 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $645/month. Architecture enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in AutoCAD and Revit. The adjusted starting salary in Metairie is approximately $51,852.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$9,800/yr
Private Tuition
$28,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,366/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,835/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
57%
Architecture Salary in Metairie (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Metairie's cost of living index of 89.4 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Architecture salary: $58,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $105,000 senior level.Metairie adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.
Architecture ROI Calculator for Metairie
Estimate your return on investment for a Architecture degree using local Metairie tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,800 | Private avg: $28,000
Metairie avg aid: $14,835/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$92,664
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$20,562
vs HS diploma in Metairie
ROI Payback Period
4.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Metairie
$336,456
Lifetime earnings premium ($429,120) minus total education cost ($92,664)
Student Loan Payoff for Architecture in Metairie
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Metairie for Architecture
Metairie State University
public
$8,983/yr
$35,932 total
University of Metairie
public
$10,583/yr
$42,332 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Metairie Community College
$4,982/yr
Top Employers for Architecture in Metairie
Metairie offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Architecture graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Metairie 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
Lafayette, LA
$60K starting · COL 104
5 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 Metairie
UX Design
$45K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$45K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$45K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$43K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$45K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$45K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$45K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$45K starting · 9 yr ROI
Architecture Degree in Metairie — 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 Metairie.