Architecture Degree in Oakland, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Architecture degree analysis for Oakland, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$77K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$108K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.8 yrs
in Oakland
Cost of Living
132
index (100 = avg)
Architecture in Oakland, CA Overview
Oakland, California (pop. 433,031) has 13 colleges offering Architecture programs. The local cost of living index of 132 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,787/month. Architecture enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in AutoCAD and Revit. The adjusted starting salary in Oakland is approximately $76,560.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
13
Public Tuition
$11,404/yr
Private Tuition
$43,067/yr
Room & Board
$17,543/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,438/yr
Unemployment
6.9%
Graduation Rate
54%
Architecture Salary in Oakland (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Oakland's cost of living index of 132 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Architecture salary: $58,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $105,000 senior level.Oakland adjustment factor: 1.32x based on the local cost of living index.
Architecture ROI Calculator for Oakland
Estimate your return on investment for a Architecture degree using local Oakland tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,404 | Private avg: $43,067
Oakland avg aid: $12,438/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$115,788
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$30,360
vs HS diploma in Oakland
ROI Payback Period
3.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Oakland
$517,812
Lifetime earnings premium ($633,600) minus total education cost ($115,788)
Student Loan Payoff for Architecture in Oakland
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Oakland for Architecture
Mills College at Northeastern University
private
$42,250/yr
$169,000 total
Holy Names University
private
$41,232/yr
$164,928 total
Samuel Merritt University
private
$45,720/yr
$182,880 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Merritt College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Architecture in Oakland
Oakland offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Architecture graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Oakland 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
Bakersfield, CA
$78K starting · COL 134
18 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Oakland
UX Design
$66K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$66K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$66K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$63K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$66K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$66K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$66K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$66K starting · 9 yr ROI
Architecture Degree in Oakland — 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 Oakland.