Architecture Degree in Washington, DC — Salary & ROI 2026
Architecture degree analysis for Washington, DC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$85K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$120K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.1 yrs
in Washington
Cost of Living
146
index (100 = avg)
Architecture in Washington, DC Overview
Washington is one of District of Columbia's top college towns, with 42 institutions and a student population of 55,233. Public tuition averages $12,276/year here — near the national average for public universities. Architecture enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in AutoCAD and Revit. The adjusted starting salary in Washington is approximately $84,680.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
42
Public Tuition
$12,276/yr
Private Tuition
$51,262/yr
Room & Board
$22,009/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,537/yr
Unemployment
5.8%
Graduation Rate
60%
Architecture Salary in Washington (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Washington's cost of living index of 146 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Architecture salary: $58,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $105,000 senior level.Washington adjustment factor: 1.46x based on the local cost of living index.
Architecture ROI Calculator for Washington
Estimate your return on investment for a Architecture degree using local Washington tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,276 | Private avg: $51,262
Washington avg aid: $8,537/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$137,140
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$33,580
vs HS diploma in Washington
ROI Payback Period
4.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Washington
$563,660
Lifetime earnings premium ($700,800) minus total education cost ($137,140)
Student Loan Payoff for Architecture in Washington
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Washington for Architecture
Georgetown University
private
$62,052/yr
$248,208 total
George Washington University
private
$60,770/yr
$243,080 total
Howard University
private
$30,964/yr
$123,856 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
University of the District of Columbia Community College
$3,120/yr
Top Employers for Architecture in Washington
Washington offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Architecture graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Washington Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Architecture Job Titles
Other Arts & Design Majors in Washington
UX Design
$73K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$73K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$73K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$70K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$73K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$73K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$73K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$73K starting · 9 yr ROI
Architecture Degree in Washington — 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 Washington.