Architecture: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 82 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Negative payoff
−$36,723 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
11.6 yrsModeled economic break-even
−14%Modeled 10-year ROI
$67,399Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$67,399Median reported earnings · year 4
$67,204Average reported earnings · year 5
$27,000Median federal debt
58thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
82Reporting programs
79With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $36,438
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $67,399
- Federal debt
- $27,000
- Reporting programs
- 82
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $73,496
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 51
First Professional Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $77,290
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 3
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$62,803National median$67,39975th percentile$70,752
79 programs report year‑4 earnings.DECISION CHECK
What to compare before choosing a program
The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.
Find the colleges that fit your constraints
Keep this exact federal field and credential fixed, then narrow the reporting colleges by location, sector and federal debt.
82 matchesShowing up to 25 currently operating colleges
1University of Notre DameNotre Dame, IN · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$82,983Federal debt$28,419Annual net price$26,7802Boston Architectural CollegeBoston, MA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$82,268Federal debt$53,192Annual net price$25,8653Pratt Institute-MainBrooklyn, NY · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$78,206Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$52,6594California State Polytechnic University-PomonaPomona, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$76,969Federal debt$28,000Annual net price$11,5315The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX · PublicYear-4 earnings$76,808Federal debt$21,000Annual net price$19,8576North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh, NC · PublicYear-4 earnings$76,695Federal debt$25,886Annual net price$17,3037University of California, BerkeleyBerkeley, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$76,679Federal debt$15,000Annual net price$13,4818California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$76,613Federal debt$27,500Annual net price$16,6659Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park, PA · PublicYear-4 earnings$76,181Federal debt$30,440Annual net price$32,87510University of MiamiCoral Gables, FL · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$75,633Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$37,24411Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteTroy, NY · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$75,551Federal debt$31,000Annual net price$36,22812Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg, VA · PublicYear-4 earnings$75,074Federal debt$29,000Annual net price$24,95313University of ArizonaTucson, AZ · PublicYear-4 earnings$74,972Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$16,67414Newschool of Architecture and DesignSan Diego, CA · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$74,587Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$52,57015Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$74,540Federal debt$27,500Annual net price$30,91516Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, PA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$73,439Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$31,94417Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia, PA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$72,915Federal debt$31,000Annual net price$38,50918University of Nevada-Las VegasLas Vegas, NV · PublicYear-4 earnings$72,468Federal debt$20,000Annual net price$10,35919Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL · PublicYear-4 earnings$72,420Federal debt$28,000Annual net price$24,32320Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusAtlanta, GA · PublicYear-4 earnings$71,292Federal debt$28,192Annual net price$12,11621Kennesaw State UniversityKennesaw, GA · PublicYear-4 earnings$70,752Federal debt$31,000Annual net price$15,04822University of HoustonHouston, TX · PublicYear-4 earnings$70,616Federal debt$26,250Annual net price$14,27623University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusNorman, OK · PublicYear-4 earnings$70,383Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$15,30024University of Virginia-Main CampusCharlottesville, VA · PublicYear-4 earnings$70,213Federal debt$23,965Annual net price$21,56525Drury UniversitySpringfield, MO · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$70,134Federal debt$31,000Annual net price$20,831
Open the full program search →See the spread, not just the national number.
1University of Notre Dame$82,9832Boston Architectural College$82,2683Pratt Institute-Main$78,2064California State Polytechnic University-Pomona$76,9695The University of Texas at Austin$76,8086North Carolina State University at Raleigh$76,6957University of California, Berkeley$76,6798California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo$76,6139Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus$76,18110University of Miami$75,633Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Architecture Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1031 · 3 crosswalk linksArchitects, Except Landscape and NavalSOC 17-1011 · 2 crosswalk linksArchitectural and Engineering ManagersSOC 11-9041 · 2 crosswalk linksNO MATCHSOC 99-9999 · 1 crosswalk links
Where this degree has enough data to compare
State pages are published only when at least five operating colleges report year-4 earnings for this exact field and credential.
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Notre DameBachelor's Degree | Notre Dame, IN | $82,983 | $28,419 | +32% | Positive payoff |
| 2 | Boston Architectural CollegeBachelor's Degree | Boston, MA | $82,268 | $53,192 | +31% | Positive payoff |
| 3 | Pratt Institute-MainBachelor's Degree | Brooklyn, NY | $78,206 | Not available | -15% | Negative payoff |
| 4 | California State Polytechnic University-PomonaBachelor's Degree | Pomona, CA | $76,969 | $28,000 | +41% | Positive payoff |
| 5 | The University of Texas at AustinBachelor's Degree | Austin, TX | $76,808 | $21,000 | +23% | Positive payoff |
| 6 | North Carolina State University at RaleighBachelor's Degree | Raleigh, NC | $76,695 | $25,886 | +27% | Positive payoff |
| 7 | University of California, BerkeleyBachelor's Degree | Berkeley, CA | $76,679 | $15,000 | +35% | Positive payoff |
| 8 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoBachelor's Degree | San Luis Obispo, CA | $76,613 | $27,500 | +28% | Positive payoff |
| 9 | Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | University Park, PA | $76,181 | $30,440 | +0% | Positive payoff |
| 10 | University of MiamiBachelor's Degree | Coral Gables, FL | $75,633 | Not available | -7% | Negative payoff |
| 11 | Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteBachelor's Degree | Troy, NY | $75,551 | $31,000 | -6% | Negative payoff |
| 12 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Blacksburg, VA | $75,074 | $29,000 | +7% | Positive payoff |
| 13 | University of ArizonaBachelor's Degree | Tucson, AZ | $74,972 | Not available | +21% | Positive payoff |
| 14 | Newschool of Architecture and DesignBachelor's Degree | San Diego, CA | $74,587 | Not available | -24% | Negative payoff |
| 15 | Northeastern UniversityBachelor's Degree | Boston, MA | $74,540 | $27,500 | -3% | Negative payoff |
| 16 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityBachelor's Degree | Pittsburgh, PA | $73,439 | Not available | -8% | Negative payoff |
| 17 | Drexel UniversityBachelor's Degree | Philadelphia, PA | $72,915 | $31,000 | -16% | Negative payoff |
| 18 | University of Nevada-Las VegasBachelor's Degree | Las Vegas, NV | $72,468 | $20,000 | +24% | Positive payoff |
| 19 | Auburn UniversityBachelor's Degree | Auburn, AL | $72,420 | $28,000 | -1% | Negative payoff |
| 20 | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Atlanta, GA | $71,292 | $28,192 | +15% | Positive payoff |
| 21 | Kennesaw State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Kennesaw, GA | $70,752 | $31,000 | +7% | Positive payoff |
| 22 | University of HoustonBachelor's Degree | Houston, TX | $70,616 | $26,250 | +8% | Positive payoff |
| 23 | University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusBachelor's Degree | Norman, OK | $70,383 | Not available | +5% | Positive payoff |
| 24 | University of Virginia-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Charlottesville, VA | $70,213 | $23,965 | -5% | Negative payoff |
| 25 | Drury UniversityBachelor's Degree | Springfield, MO | $70,134 | $31,000 | -5% | Negative payoff |
| 26 | Oklahoma State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Stillwater, OK | $70,123 | Not available | +1% | Positive payoff |
| 27 | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical UniversityBachelor's Degree | Tallahassee, FL | $69,874 | $27,000 | +6% | Positive payoff |
| 28 | The Catholic University of AmericaBachelor's Degree | Washington, DC | $69,838 | $27,000 | -17% | Negative payoff |
| 29 | Mississippi State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Mississippi State, MS | $69,699 | $31,000 | -1% | Negative payoff |
| 30 | University of Washington-Seattle CampusBachelor's Degree | Seattle, WA | $69,515 | $20,423 | +4% | Positive payoff |
| 31 | Iowa State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ames, IA | $69,310 | $31,000 | -4% | Negative payoff |
| 32 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBachelor's Degree | Baton Rouge, LA | $69,029 | $26,500 | -6% | Negative payoff |
| 33 | The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleBachelor's Degree | Knoxville, TN | $68,765 | $31,000 | -7% | Negative payoff |
| 34 | University of Maryland-College ParkBachelor's Degree | College Park, MD | $68,527 | $22,654 | -3% | Negative payoff |
| 35 | Illinois Institute of TechnologyBachelor's Degree | Chicago, IL | $68,358 | $31,000 | -8% | Negative payoff |
| 36 | University of UtahBachelor's Degree | Salt Lake City, UT | $67,987 | Not available | -6% | Negative payoff |
| 37 | University of ArkansasBachelor's Degree | Fayetteville, AR | $67,955 | $27,250 | -9% | Negative payoff |
| 38 | Woodbury UniversityBachelor's Degree | Burbank, CA | $67,517 | $41,750 | -28% | Negative payoff |
| 39 | University of OregonBachelor's Degree | Eugene, OR | $67,425 | $19,500 | -17% | Negative payoff |
| 40 | University of FloridaBachelor's Degree | Gainesville, FL | $67,399 | $19,843 | +9% | Positive payoff |
| 41 | University of North Carolina at CharlotteBachelor's Degree | Charlotte, NC | $67,204 | $27,000 | -8% | Negative payoff |
| 42 | Marywood UniversityBachelor's Degree | Scranton, PA | $67,178 | $31,000 | -19% | Negative payoff |
| 43 | Wentworth Institute of TechnologyBachelor's Degree | Boston, MA | $67,122 | $25,000 | -30% | Negative payoff |
| 44 | New Jersey Institute of TechnologyBachelor's Degree | Newark, NJ | $66,840 | Not available | -11% | Negative payoff |
| 45 | Ohio State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Columbus, OH | $66,131 | $27,000 | -15% | Negative payoff |
| 46 | University of Cincinnati-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Cincinnati, OH | $65,449 | $22,600 | -28% | Negative payoff |
| 47 | North Dakota State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Fargo, ND | $65,148 | $27,000 | -17% | Negative payoff |
| 48 | Roger Williams UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bristol, RI | $65,092 | $27,000 | -39% | Negative payoff |
| 49 | University of Michigan-Ann ArborBachelor's Degree | Ann Arbor, MI | $65,015 | $18,750 | -14% | Negative payoff |
| 50 | University of Central FloridaBachelor's Degree | Orlando, FL | $64,826 | $13,250 | -11% | Negative payoff |
| 51 | Florida Atlantic UniversityBachelor's Degree | Boca Raton, FL | $64,730 | $30,749 | -8% | Negative payoff |
| 52 | SUNY College of Technology at AlfredBachelor's Degree | Alfred, NY | $64,658 | $31,000 | -18% | Negative payoff |
| 53 | Texas A&M University-College StationBachelor's Degree | College Station, TX | $64,643 | $18,465 | -26% | Negative payoff |
| 54 | South Dakota State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Brookings, SD | $63,978 | $27,000 | -27% | Negative payoff |
| 55 | Clemson UniversityBachelor's Degree | Clemson, SC | $63,892 | $22,500 | -30% | Negative payoff |
| 56 | Texas Tech UniversityBachelor's Degree | Lubbock, TX | $63,871 | $21,699 | -26% | Negative payoff |
| 57 | Judson UniversityBachelor's Degree | Elgin, IL | $63,846 | $26,221 | -26% | Negative payoff |
| 58 | Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleBachelor's Degree | Carbondale, IL | $63,104 | $25,000 | -22% | Negative payoff |
| 59 | University of Detroit MercyBachelor's Degree | Detroit, MI | $62,939 | $27,000 | -26% | Negative payoff |
| 60 | University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeBachelor's Degree | Milwaukee, WI | $62,803 | $26,000 | -26% | Negative payoff |
| 61 | University of Nebraska-LincolnBachelor's Degree | Lincoln, NE | $62,700 | $26,000 | -29% | Negative payoff |
| 62 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusBachelor's Degree | Denver, CO | $62,619 | $23,000 | -23% | Negative payoff |
| 63 | University of IdahoBachelor's Degree | Moscow, ID | $62,557 | $24,900 | -27% | Negative payoff |
| 64 | Prairie View A&M UniversityBachelor's Degree | Prairie View, TX | $62,540 | $30,429 | -25% | Negative payoff |
| 65 | University of KentuckyBachelor's Degree | Lexington, KY | $62,383 | $24,125 | -32% | Negative payoff |
| 66 | Portland State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Portland, OR | $62,349 | $25,000 | -20% | Negative payoff |
| 67 | The University of Texas at ArlingtonBachelor's Degree | Arlington, TX | $62,345 | $23,535 | -26% | Negative payoff |
| 68 | University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesBachelor's Degree | Minneapolis, MN | $62,246 | $22,284 | -30% | Negative payoff |
| 69 | University at BuffaloBachelor's Degree | Buffalo, NY | $61,525 | $22,854 | -37% | Negative payoff |
| 70 | Miami University-OxfordBachelor's Degree | Oxford, OH | $61,466 | Not available | -44% | Negative payoff |
| 71 | Keene State CollegeBachelor's Degree | Keene, NH | $61,304 | $27,000 | -35% | Negative payoff |
| 72 | Arizona State University Campus ImmersionBachelor's Degree | Tempe, AZ | $60,297 | $21,067 | -36% | Negative payoff |
| 73 | Morgan State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Baltimore, MD | $59,586 | $30,500 | -39% | Negative payoff |
| 74 | Kent State University at KentBachelor's Degree | Kent, OH | $59,299 | $26,000 | -46% | Negative payoff |
| 75 | Norwich UniversityBachelor's Degree | Northfield, VT | $58,534 | $27,000 | -50% | Negative payoff |
| 76 | The University of Texas at San AntonioBachelor's Degree | San Antonio, TX | $57,778 | $23,000 | -43% | Negative payoff |
| 77 | University of Illinois ChicagoBachelor's Degree | Chicago, IL | $56,975 | $23,840 | -47% | Negative payoff |
| 78 | University of New Mexico-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Albuquerque, NM | $48,424 | Not available | -86% | Negative payoff |
| 79 | Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-PonceBachelor's Degree | Ponce, PR | $45,710 | $31,000 | -97% | Negative payoff |
| 80 | University of San FranciscoBachelor's Degree | San Francisco, CA | Not available | $27,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $41,431 |
| 81 | Ball State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Muncie, IN | Not available | $28,670 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $14,940 |
| 82 | Kean UniversityBachelor's Degree | Union, NJ | Not available | $27,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $12,447 |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.