Architecture Degree in Vancouver, WA — Salary & ROI 2026
Architecture degree analysis for Vancouver, WA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$63K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$89K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.3 yrs
in Vancouver
Cost of Living
108.5
index (100 = avg)
Architecture in Vancouver, WA Overview
Vancouver, Washington (pop. 190,915) has 7 colleges offering Architecture programs. The local cost of living index of 108.5 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,260/month. Architecture enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in AutoCAD and Revit. The adjusted starting salary in Vancouver is approximately $62,930.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$11,800/yr
Private Tuition
$40,000/yr
Room & Board
$15,054/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,206/yr
Unemployment
4%
Graduation Rate
61%
Architecture Salary in Vancouver (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Vancouver's cost of living index of 108.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Architecture salary: $58,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $105,000 senior level.Vancouver adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Architecture ROI Calculator for Vancouver
Estimate your return on investment for a Architecture degree using local Vancouver tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,800 | Private avg: $40,000
Vancouver avg aid: $15,206/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$107,416
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$24,955
vs HS diploma in Vancouver
ROI Payback Period
4.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Vancouver
$413,384
Lifetime earnings premium ($520,800) minus total education cost ($107,416)
Student Loan Payoff for Architecture in Vancouver
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Vancouver for Architecture
Vancouver State University
public
$12,455/yr
$49,820 total
University of Vancouver
public
$11,321/yr
$45,284 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Vancouver Community College
$6,084/yr
Top Employers for Architecture in Vancouver
Vancouver offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Architecture graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Vancouver Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Architecture Job Titles
Architecture in Nearby Washington Cities
Seattle, WA
$70K starting · COL 120
16 colleges
Spokane, WA
$70K starting · COL 121
20 colleges
Tacoma, WA
$66K starting · COL 113
25 colleges
Bellevue, WA
$104K starting · COL 178.5
6 colleges
Kent, WA
$67K starting · COL 115.8
6 colleges
Everett, WA
$69K starting · COL 118.2
5 colleges
Renton, WA
$71K starting · COL 122.5
5 colleges
Spokane Valley, WA
$71K starting · COL 123.1
4 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Vancouver
UX Design
$54K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$54K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$54K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$52K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$54K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$54K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$54K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$54K starting · 9 yr ROI
Architecture Degree in Vancouver — 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 Vancouver.