Architecture Degree in Upper Darby, PA — Salary & ROI 2026
Architecture degree analysis for Upper Darby, PA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$55K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$77K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.5 yrs
in Upper Darby
Cost of Living
94.5
index (100 = avg)
Architecture in Upper Darby, PA Overview
While Upper Darby has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Architecture students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,171/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 Upper Darby is approximately $54,810.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$15,500/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,171/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,595/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
70%
Architecture Salary in Upper Darby (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Upper Darby's cost of living index of 94.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Architecture salary: $58,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $105,000 senior level.Upper Darby adjustment factor: 0.94x based on the local cost of living index.
Architecture ROI Calculator for Upper Darby
Estimate your return on investment for a Architecture degree using local Upper Darby tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,500 | Private avg: $42,000
Upper Darby avg aid: $12,595/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$118,684
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$21,735
vs HS diploma in Upper Darby
ROI Payback Period
5.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Upper Darby
$334,916
Lifetime earnings premium ($453,600) minus total education cost ($118,684)
Student Loan Payoff for Architecture in Upper Darby
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Upper Darby for Architecture
Upper Darby State University
public
$16,192/yr
$64,768 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Upper Darby Community College
$5,336/yr
Top Employers for Architecture in Upper Darby
Upper Darby offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Architecture graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Upper Darby Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Architecture Job Titles
Architecture in Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Philadelphia, PA
$87K starting · COL 150
42 colleges
Pittsburgh, PA
$67K starting · COL 115
12 colleges
Allentown, PA
$66K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Reading, PA
$68K starting · COL 118
3 colleges
Erie, PA
$70K starting · COL 120
4 colleges
Scranton, PA
$70K starting · COL 120
8 colleges
Bethlehem, PA
$73K starting · COL 125
7 colleges
Lower Merion, PA
$53K starting · COL 91.4
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Upper Darby
UX Design
$47K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$47K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$47K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$45K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$47K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$47K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$47K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$47K starting · 9 yr ROI
Architecture Degree in Upper Darby — 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 Upper Darby.