Entry Level Salary
$49,019
Median Salary
$95,647
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
18.0%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $3,825,880
Entry (Early)
$49,019
Median (Prime)
$95,647
High (Prime)
$100,290
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
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
-14k
+370k
+408k
$25k / yr
-104k
+280k
+318k
$50k / yr
-194k
+190k
+228k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
25
25
$25k / yr
Never
30
29
$50k / yr
Never
35
34
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-96%
258%
292%
$50k / yr
-89%
87%
105%
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, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, 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
$57,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$92,671|$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
$57,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$68,433|$53,180
openings
84,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.3%
Management occupations
4.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$65,279
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$112,550|$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)
$90,864|$100,750
openings
78,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.6%
Construction managers
3.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$73,158
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$114,449|$106,980
openings
46,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.7%
Landscape architects
3.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$59,779
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$82,000|$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
$60,174
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$86,000|$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)
$156,188|$104,990
openings
333,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
Postsecondary teachers
1.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$16,977
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$72,888|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Interior designers
1.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$38,936
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$67,681|$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.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| architectural sciences and technology. | Undergrad Certificate | 11 | Data N/A |
| architectural sciences and technology. | Associate's Degree | 47 | $46,326 - $58,117 |
| architectural sciences and technology. | Bachelor's Degree | 43 | $50,263 - $103,414 |
| architectural sciences and technology. | Master's Degree | 56 | $66,778 - $88,967 |
| architectural sciences and technology. | First Professional Degree | 3 | $71,965 - $71,965 |
| architecture and related services, other. | Associate's Degree | 2 | $62,564 - $62,564 |
| architecture and related services, other. | Bachelor's Degree | 13 | $51,546 - $68,341 |
| architecture and related services, other. | Master's Degree | 7 | $69,582 - $69,582 |
| architecture and related services, other. | First Professional Degree | 1 | Data N/A |
| architecture and related services, other. | Level 99 | 1 | $61,691 - $61,691 |
| architecture. | Associate's Degree | 12 | $36,438 - $36,438 |
| architecture. | Bachelor's Degree | 120 | $45,710 - $82,983 |
| architecture. | Master's Degree | 105 | $44,338 - $88,820 |
| architecture. | Doctoral Degree | 19 | Data N/A |
| architecture. | First Professional Degree | 6 | $69,607 - $78,902 |
| city/urban, community, and regional planning. | Undergrad Certificate | 4 | $59,514 - $59,514 |
| city/urban, community, and regional planning. | Bachelor's Degree | 40 | $55,625 - $106,094 |
| city/urban, community, and regional planning. | Master's Degree | 90 | $58,546 - $106,674 |
| city/urban, community, and regional planning. | Doctoral Degree | 22 | Data N/A |
| city/urban, community, and regional planning. | First Professional Degree | 3 | $102,303 - $102,303 |
| environmental design. | Bachelor's Degree | 28 | $35,023 - $69,851 |
| environmental design. | Master's Degree | 13 | $75,130 - $75,130 |
| interior architecture. | Bachelor's Degree | 34 | $50,266 - $69,657 |
| interior architecture. | Master's Degree | 14 | $62,411 - $70,982 |
| landscape architecture. | Bachelor's Degree | 54 | $59,480 - $74,983 |
| landscape architecture. | Master's Degree | 55 | $60,338 - $79,542 |