by our College Data Analytics TeamAesthetically designing and creating safe and functional buildings is only part of the job of an architect. Buildings need to be economical, environmental friendly, and fulfill the client's needs. This makes architecture a challenging, but very satisfying field of study for students with a love of design as well as an eye for detail.
There are many different majors in this field of study. Some students may want to focus on the design aspect where others may be more interested in construction management. Other possible majors include Landscape Architecture, Architectural History, Urban Planning, or even Environmental Design. There are many other fields and related services that you can further explore. Explore your options and choose a major that best fits your interests.
Architecture & Related Services was the 29th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 17,325 degrees in this year alone. This is approximately the same as the 17,480 graduates the prior year.
Our 2023 Best Architecture & Related Services Schools ranking analyzes 114 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for architecture and related services students. Explore this or one of our many other custom architecture and related services rankings further below.
Due to the broad range of majors available, students with many different skill sets may excel in this area. Some key traits to succeed include an eye for detail, good communication skills, strong math skills, critical thinking ability, and a vivid and creative imagination. Students may want to obtain an internship with an architectural firm to help guide them in a specific direction.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most architecture and related services degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific architecture and related services careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different architecture and related services degree levels. Architecture & Related Services programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest architecture and related services degree you can get. Architecture & Related Services programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to architecture and related services, with approximately 41.0% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for architecture and related services workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 42.0% |
| Master’s Degree | 19.3% |
| High School Diploma | 8.0% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 7.3% |
| Some College Courses | 6.7% |
68.4% of architecture and related services workers have at least a bachelor's. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in architecture and related services careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the architecture and related services career you are seeking.
There are a variety of positions available to those who go into the architectural field. Architects provide services to individuals, corporations, government and global agencies. They can be involved in all phases of development from the initial planning phases to putting on the finishing touches. There are many different skills needed to be an architect including: designing, engineering, managing, supervising, and communicating. Communication is an essential skill to have as an architect in order to persuasively display unique visions and ideas.
As you can see, there are many different and diverse directions that one can go into when it comes to architecture. Whether it is building more environmentally friendly structures, designing a garden or managing your own business there is wide variety in this career choice. Graduates may work for architectural firms or they may be self-employed.
Want a job when you graduate with your architecture and related services degree? Architecture & Related Services careers are expected to grow 7.4% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to architecture and related services.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Sales Agents | 369,000 | 5.8% |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | 349,900 | 10.3% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 190,000 | 5.5% |
| Architects | 134,200 | 4.2% |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | 107,700 | 8.1% |
Architecture & Related Services graduates between 2017-2019 reported earning an average of $49,624 in the 2019-2020 timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $15,370 to as high as $119,991. As you might expect, salaries for architecture and related services graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for architecture and related services graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers architecture and related services grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $148,970 |
| Architecture Professors | $99,320 |
| Architects | $88,860 |
| Social Sciences Professors | $87,950 |
| Real Estate Brokers | $78,940 |
With over 1,161 different architecture and related services degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased architecture and related services school rankings to help you with this.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Architectural Sciences & Technology | 6,781 |
| General Architecture | 4,982 |
| Urban & Regional Planning | 2,419 |
| Landscape Architecture | 905 |
| Environmental Design | 741 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer & Information Sciences | 254,454 |
| Engineering | 198,468 |
| Biological & Biomedical Sciences | 177,778 |
| Engineering Technologies | 85,188 |
| Mathematics & Statistics | 52,396 |
Image Credit: By Lorenzo Cafaro under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
