Architecture Degree in San Bernardino, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Architecture degree analysis for San Bernardino, CA. 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
3.4 yrs
in San Bernardino
Cost of Living
104
index (100 = avg)
Architecture in San Bernardino, CA Overview
San Bernardino is one of California's top college towns, with 22 institutions and a student population of 21,939. Public tuition averages $7,316/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Architecture enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in AutoCAD and Revit. The adjusted starting salary in San Bernardino is approximately $60,320.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
22
Public Tuition
$7,316/yr
Private Tuition
$48,781/yr
Room & Board
$13,152/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,226/yr
Unemployment
6.1%
Graduation Rate
63%
Architecture Salary in San Bernardino (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for San Bernardino'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.San Bernardino adjustment factor: 1.04x based on the local cost of living index.
Architecture ROI Calculator for San Bernardino
Estimate your return on investment for a Architecture degree using local San Bernardino tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,316 | Private avg: $48,781
San Bernardino avg aid: $15,226/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$81,872
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$23,920
vs HS diploma in San Bernardino
ROI Payback Period
3.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in San Bernardino
$417,328
Lifetime earnings premium ($499,200) minus total education cost ($81,872)
Student Loan Payoff for Architecture in San Bernardino
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in San Bernardino for Architecture
California State University, San Bernardino
public
$7,316/yr
$29,264 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
San Bernardino Valley College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Architecture in San Bernardino
San Bernardino offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Architecture graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key San Bernardino 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
Oakland, CA
$77K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in San Bernardino
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 San Bernardino — 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 San Bernardino.