College ROI

Smarter Choices, Brighter Futures
General

Architecture

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Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Architecture.

Entry Level Salary
$47,195
Median Salary
$92,291
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
18.0%
Working non-college jobs

Earnings Trajectory

Lifetime: $3,691,640
Entry (Early)
$47,195
Median (Prime)
$92,291
High (Prime)
$97,000

ROI Sensitivity Analysis

This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.

Lifetime Value Added (NPV)

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-30k
+343k
+381k
$25k / yr
-120k
+253k
+291k
$50k / yr
-210k
+163k
+201k

Break-even Age

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
26
25
$25k / yr
Never
30
29
$50k / yr
Never
37
35

Return on Investment %

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
$25k / yr
-110%
233%
268%
$50k / yr
-97%
75%
92%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.

Education Impact

Advanced Degree Rate38.6%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.

Top Professions

Architects, except landscape and naval

26.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$55,455
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$90,000|$96,690
openings
7,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.9%

Art and design workers

5.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$55,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$65,279|$53,180
openings
84,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.3%

Management occupations

4.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$65,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$108,549|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%

Project management specialists

4.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$58,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$88,506|$100,750
openings
78,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.6%

Construction managers

3.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$67,681
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$110,000|$106,980
openings
46,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.7%

Landscape architects

3.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$57,269
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$79,000|$79,660
openings
1,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.5%

Urban and regional planners

2.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$58,994
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$83,300|$83,720
openings
3,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.4%

Top executives

1.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$85,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$153,385|$104,990
openings
333,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%

Postsecondary teachers

1.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$16,754
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$70,000|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%

Interior designers

1.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$36,444
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$65,000|$63,490
openings
7,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.2%

About this Data:

  • Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
  • Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
  • Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).

Program Variants & Earnings Ranges

Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.

Program TitleCredential Level# CollegesMedian Earnings Range
architectural sciences and technology.Undergrad Certificate11Data N/A
architectural sciences and technology.Associate's Degree47$46,326 - $58,117
architectural sciences and technology.Bachelor's Degree43$50,263 - $103,414
architectural sciences and technology.Master's Degree56$66,778 - $88,967
architectural sciences and technology.First Professional Degree3$71,965 - $71,965
architecture and related services, other.Associate's Degree2$62,564 - $62,564
architecture and related services, other.Bachelor's Degree13$51,546 - $68,341
architecture and related services, other.Master's Degree7$69,582 - $69,582
architecture and related services, other.First Professional Degree1Data N/A
architecture and related services, other.Level 991$61,691 - $61,691
architecture.Associate's Degree12$36,438 - $36,438
architecture.Bachelor's Degree120$45,710 - $82,983
architecture.Master's Degree105$44,338 - $88,820
architecture.Doctoral Degree19Data N/A
architecture.First Professional Degree6$69,607 - $78,902
environmental design.Bachelor's Degree28$35,023 - $69,851
environmental design.Master's Degree13$75,130 - $75,130
interior architecture.Bachelor's Degree34$50,266 - $69,657
interior architecture.Master's Degree14$62,411 - $70,982
landscape architecture.Bachelor's Degree54$59,480 - $74,983
landscape architecture.Master's Degree55$60,338 - $79,542