Architecture Degree in Mobile, AL — Salary & ROI 2026
Architecture degree analysis for Mobile, AL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$57K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$80K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.4 yrs
in Mobile
Cost of Living
98
index (100 = avg)
Architecture in Mobile, AL Overview
Mobile, Alabama (pop. 187,041) has 12 colleges offering Architecture programs. The local cost of living index of 98 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,083/month. Architecture enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in AutoCAD and Revit. The adjusted starting salary in Mobile is approximately $56,840.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$11,100/yr
Private Tuition
$41,360/yr
Room & Board
$13,457/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,004/yr
Unemployment
5.2%
Graduation Rate
73%
Architecture Salary in Mobile (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Mobile's cost of living index of 98 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Architecture salary: $58,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $105,000 senior level.Mobile adjustment factor: 0.98x based on the local cost of living index.
Architecture ROI Calculator for Mobile
Estimate your return on investment for a Architecture degree using local Mobile tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,100 | Private avg: $41,360
Mobile avg aid: $12,004/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$98,228
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$22,540
vs HS diploma in Mobile
ROI Payback Period
4.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Mobile
$372,172
Lifetime earnings premium ($470,400) minus total education cost ($98,228)
Student Loan Payoff for Architecture in Mobile
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Mobile for Architecture
University of South Alabama
public
$11,100/yr
$44,400 total
Spring Hill College
private
$41,360/yr
$165,440 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Bishop State Community College
$4,800/yr
Top Employers for Architecture in Mobile
Mobile offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Architecture graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Mobile Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Architecture Job Titles
Architecture in Nearby Alabama Cities
Huntsville, AL
$57K starting · COL 98
21 colleges
Birmingham, AL
$51K starting · COL 88
10 colleges
Montgomery, AL
$53K starting · COL 92
21 colleges
Tuscaloosa, AL
$45K starting · COL 78
8 colleges
Hoover, AL
$56K starting · COL 95.8
4 colleges
Auburn, AL
$60K starting · COL 103
2 colleges
Dothan, AL
$48K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Decatur, AL
$48K starting · COL 82.8
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Mobile
UX Design
$49K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$49K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$49K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$47K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$49K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$49K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$49K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$49K starting · 9 yr ROI
Architecture Degree in Mobile — 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 Mobile.