Architecture

Compare Architecture programs across 25 schools. Tiered by program strength with earnings data and program highlights.

25 Schools 13 Flagship 12 Strong 0 Solid
← All Majors School Profiles Flagship Programs (13) Strong Programs (12)

★★★ Flagship Programs

University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA · Private · NU #10 · School of Design
2yr Earnings: — 1yr: —
Tracks: Architecture, Urban Studies and Planning, Landscape Architecture
Research: Urban Design and Planning, Sustainable Architecture and Green Building, Digital Fabrication and Computational Design
The University of Pennsylvania's Architecture program is distinguished by its rigorous integration of design, technology, and urban planning within a
The University of Pennsylvania's Architecture program is a nationally renowned flagship offering, distinguished by its r
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY · Private · NU #11 · College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP)
2yr Earnings: — 1yr: —
Tracks: Architecture, Urban and Regional Studies, Design and Environmental Analysis, Art
Research: Sustainable and Resilient Design, Urban Planning and Policy, Digital Fabrication and Parametric Design
The Cornell Architecture program is distinguished by its rigorous integration of design, technology, and social responsibility, rooted in the universi
Cornell Architecture is a nationally renowned program consistently ranked among the top tier, distinguished by its rigor
Columbia University
New York, NY · Private · NU #13 · The Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (GSAPP)
2yr Earnings: — 1yr: —
Tracks: Urban Design, Architecture, Historic Preservation, Planning
Research: Urban Design and Resilience, Historic Preservation and Conservation, Digital Fabrication and Parametric Design
Columbia's GSAPP is a globally prestigious program known for its rigorous theoretical approach and focus on urbanism, distinguishing it from more pure
Columbia's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (GSAPP) is a globally prestigious program consiste
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public · NU #15 · UCLA Department of Architecture and Urban Design
2yr Earnings: — 1yr: —
Tracks: Design, Urbanism, History & Theory
Research: Sustainable Design and Resilience, Urban Inequality and Housing Policy, Digital Fabrication and Parametric Design
The UCLA Department of Architecture and Urban Design is distinguished by its rigorous design studio culture and a strong focus on social justice, sust
UCLA consistently ranks in the top 10 nationally with high employment rates and a prestigious reputation in sustainable
Rice University
Houston, TX · Private · NU #18 · Rice School of Architecture
2yr Earnings: — 1yr: —
Tracks: Design, Urban Design, Architecture History and Theory
Research: Sustainable Design and Resilient Cities, Urbanism and Public Space, Architectural History and Theory
The Rice School of Architecture is distinguished by its rigorous focus on sustainable design, urbanism, and the integration of theory with practice. I
Rice Architecture is consistently ranked among the top programs nationally, renowned for its rigorous focus on sustainab
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI · Public · NU #21 · School of Architecture and Planning
2yr Earnings: — 1yr: —
Tracks: Architecture, Urban Planning
Research: Sustainable Design and Resilient Cities, Urban Planning and Policy, Digital Fabrication and Computational Design
The School of Architecture and Planning at U-M is distinguished by its rigorous design studio culture and strong integration of sustainability and urb
The University of Michigan's School of Architecture and Planning is consistently ranked among the top programs nationall
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA · Private · NU #21 · School of Architecture
2yr Earnings: — 1yr: —
Tracks: Design, Urban Design, Building Science, Digital Technologies
Research: Computational Design and Digital Fabrication, Sustainable Building Technologies, Urban Informatics and Data-Driven Planning
The School of Architecture at Carnegie Mellon is distinctive for its rigorous integration of technology, science, and design, moving beyond traditiona
Carnegie Mellon's School of Architecture is a nationally distinctive program renowned for its rigorous integration of te
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA · Public · NU #24 · School of Architecture
2yr Earnings: — 1yr: —
Tracks: Architecture (B.Arch), Environmental Design (B.S.), Pre-Professional Studies (B.A./B.S.)
Research: Sustainable Design and Resilient Communities, Urban Planning and Policy, Digital Fabrication and Computational Design
The University of Virginia's School of Architecture is distinguished by its rigorous design studio culture and deep integration with the university's
The University of Virginia's School of Architecture is consistently ranked among the top programs nationally, featuring
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA · Private · NU #27 · USC School of Architecture
2yr Earnings: — 1yr: —
Tracks: Urban Design, Historic Preservation, Sustainable Design, Digital Fabrication
Research: Sustainable and Resilient Urbanism, Digital Fabrication and Parametric Design, Historic Preservation and Adaptive Reuse
The USC School of Architecture is distinguished by its deep integration with Los Angeles's dynamic urban landscape, offering a curriculum that balance
USC's program is consistently ranked in the top 10-12 nationally with high prestige and strong industry connections, exc
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX · Public · NU #30 · School of Architecture
2yr Earnings: — 1yr: —
Tracks: Design, Urban Design, History and Theory, Landscape Architecture
Research: Sustainable and Resilient Design, Urban Planning and Policy, Digital Fabrication and Computational Design
The University of Texas at Austin's School of Architecture is renowned for its rigorous design studios and strong emphasis on sustainability and urban
The University of Texas at Austin's School of Architecture is a nationally renowned program, consistently ranked among t
New York University
New York, NY · Private · NU #30 · Tandon School of Engineering
2yr Earnings: — 1yr: —
Tracks: Architecture, Urban Design, Historic Preservation
Research: Urban Design and Resilience, Sustainable Architecture, Digital Fabrication and Parametric Design
NYU's architecture program, housed within the Tandon School of Engineering, distinguishes itself through a rigorous focus on urban design and sustaina
NYU GSAPP is consistently ranked in the top 5-8 nationally for its avant-garde approach and urban focus, fitting the fla
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA · Public · NU #33 · School of Architecture
2yr Earnings: — 1yr: —
Tracks: Design, History and Theory, Technology
Research: Sustainable Design and Resilience, Computational Design and Digital Fabrication, Urban Systems and Planning
The Georgia Tech School of Architecture is distinguished by its rigorous integration of design, technology, and theory within the 'Threads' curriculum
Georgia Tech's Architecture program consistently ranks in the top 10 nationally (often #3-#5) and is a leader in sustain
University of Washington
Seattle, WA · Public · NU #46 · Department of Architecture
2yr Earnings: — 1yr: —
Tracks: Design, History and Theory, Urban Design
Research: Sustainable Design and Resilience, Urban Planning and Policy, Digital Fabrication and Computational Design
The University of Washington's Department of Architecture is renowned for its rigorous studio-based curriculum and strong emphasis on sustainability,
The University of Washington's Department of Architecture is a nationally renowned flagship program within the College o

★★ Strong Programs

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA · Public · LAC #1 · College of Liberal Arts and the College of Engineering
2yr Earnings: $55,884 1yr: $55,714
Tracks: Architecture (Pre-Professional), Landscape Architecture
Research: Sustainable Design and Green Building, Urban Planning and Community Development, Building Technology and Materials Science
Cal Poly's Architecture program is distinguished by its rigorous 'Learn by Doing' philosophy, emphasizing hands-on studio work and real-world problem
While Cal Poly SLO is a top regional program with excellent licensure rates, it does not consistently rank in the top 10
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA · Public · LAC #2 · Department of Art & Design (within the College of Arts & Humanities)
2yr Earnings: — 1yr: —
Tracks: Architecture
Research: Sustainable and Resilient Design, Urban Planning and Community Development, Historic Preservation
SDSU's Architecture program is distinguished by its strong emphasis on sustainable design and regional urban planning, leveraging San Diego's diverse
SDSU's Architecture program is a well-regarded regional leader with strong licensure outcomes and notable industry conne
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA · Public · LAC #3 · Department of Architecture
2yr Earnings: $55,286 1yr: $56,226 Grads/yr: 107
Tracks: Pre-Professional Track (NAAB-accredited), Design
Research: Sustainable Design, Urban Resiliency and Planning, Building Technology and Materials Science
The Architecture program at Cal Poly Pomona is distinguished by its NAAB-accredited Bachelor of Science degree, a rare offering that allows graduates
Cal Poly Pomona's Architecture program is a strong regional draw due to its rare NAAB-accredited BS degree and the 'Lear
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA · Public · LAC #5 · Department of Art and Design
2yr Earnings: — 1yr: —
Tracks: Architecture, Interior Architecture
Research: Sustainable and Green Building Design, Urban Planning and Community Development, Digital Fabrication and Parametric Design
SJSU's Architecture program is distinctively focused on professional practice and sustainability, leveraging its location in the heart of Silicon Vall
SJSU's Architecture program is a regional powerhouse with a distinct professional focus and strong ties to top-tier firm
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN · Private · NU #18 · School of Architecture
2yr Earnings: — 1yr: —
Tracks: Urban Design, Historic Preservation, Sustainable Design, Community Planning
Research: Sustainable and Resilient Design, Historic Preservation and Adaptive Reuse, Urbanism and Community Development
The University of Notre Dame's School of Architecture is distinctive for its integration of ethical leadership and social justice into the design curr
Notre Dame is highly respected regionally and has strong licensure, but it does not consistently rank in the top 10-15 n
Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, MO · Private · NU #21 · Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts
2yr Earnings: — 1yr: —
Tracks: Architecture, Urban Design
Research: Sustainable and Resilient Urban Design, Digital Fabrication and Computational Design, Historic Preservation and Adaptive Reuse
The Architecture program at Washington University in St. Louis is housed within the prestigious Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, emphasizing a
WashU is a strong regional program with growing national recognition, but it does not yet consistently rank in the top 1
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL · Public · NU #30 · Department of Architecture (within the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering)
2yr Earnings: — 1yr: —
Tracks: Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design
Research: Sustainable Design and Resilience, Historic Preservation and Adaptive Reuse, Urban Design and Community Planning
The University of Florida's Architecture program is distinguished by its rigorous focus on sustainable design and historic preservation, leveraging it
While UF is a top-tier public program, it generally ranks just outside the top 10-15 national elite tier for research an
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL · Public · NU #33 · School of Art + Design
2yr Earnings: — 1yr: —
Tracks: Architecture, Interior Architecture, Urban Planning
Research: Sustainable and Resilient Design, Digital Fabrication and Parametric Design, Urbanism and Community Planning
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Architecture program is distinguished by its rigorous focus on sustainable design and digital fabricatio
UIUC is a historic leader with excellent licensure, but its Architecture program typically ranks just outside the top 10
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI · Public · NU #39 · School of Architecture and Urban Planning
2yr Earnings: — 1yr: —
Tracks: Architecture, Urban and Regional Planning, Landscape Architecture
Research: Sustainable Design and Green Building, Urban Planning and Equity, Historic Preservation and Conservation
The School of Architecture and Urban Planning at UW-Madison is distinguished by its rigorous 'Direct Entry' process, which ensures a highly motivated
While UW-Madison is a historic leader, it typically ranks just outside the top 10-15 national elite tier for academic pr
Ohio State University
Columbus, OH · Public · NU #41 · School of Architecture
2yr Earnings: — 1yr: —
Tracks: Architectural Design, Urban Planning and Design, Historic Preservation, Building Science
Research: Sustainable and Resilient Design, Urban Planning and Community Development, Historic Preservation and Adaptive Reuse
The School of Architecture at Ohio State is distinguished by its NAAB-accredited professional degree programs and a strong emphasis on sustainable des
Ohio State's School of Architecture is a highly respected NAAB-accredited program known for its robust focus on sustaina
University of Maryland, College Park
College Park, MD · Public · NU #44 · Department of Architecture and Urban Planning (DAUP)
2yr Earnings: — 1yr: —
Tracks: Architecture, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture
Research: Sustainable and Resilient Design, Urban Planning and Policy, Digital Fabrication and Computational Design
The Department of Architecture and Urban Planning at UMD is distinguished by its rigorous focus on sustainability, resilience, and the integration of
UMD is a respected regional leader with strong licensure, but it does not consistently rank in the top 10-15 nationally
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN · Public · NU #46 · Department of Civil Engineering (within the College of Engineering)
2yr Earnings: — 1yr: —
Tracks: Architecture and Building Science, Construction Management, Structural Engineering
Research: Sustainable Building Design and Materials, Resilient Infrastructure Systems, Digital Fabrication and Parametric Design
Purdue's Architecture program is distinctively housed within the College of Engineering, emphasizing a rigorous technical foundation in building scien
Purdue is an excellent regional leader with strong licensure, but it does not consistently rank in the top 10 nationally

College-Fit Major Comparison · CounselorJay · Updated April 2026

Data sources: College Scorecard, US News, CSRankings, institutional websites, expert analysis