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# Best Architecture Colleges in the Northeast (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

Programs in this field[Architecture](/rankings/best-architecture-programs-in-the-northeast/)

This page ranks the 28 Architecture programs in the Northeast by the median earnings of Architecture graduates four years after completing. [University of Massachusetts-Amherst](/school/university-of-massachusetts-amherst/majors/) leads the list at $93,156, followed by Pratt Institute-Main at $84,447 and [Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute](/school/rensselaer-polytechnic-institute/majors/) at $75,551.

Across the 24 schools with a published figure, median earnings reach $66,071, with values spanning from $93,156 to $31,839.

The list includes 12 public and 16 private nonprofit institutions. CUNY New York City College of Technology posts the lowest average net price at $5,127, while Cornell University reports the highest six-year completion rate at 95%.

Rutgers University-New Brunswick ranks 30th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

## The ranked list

28 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Median Architecture Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst · Amherst, MA | $93,156 | $22,383 | $10,164 | 59.7% |
|  | [University of Massachusetts-Amherst](/school/university-of-massachusetts-amherst/majors/) reports [$93,156 in median earnings](/school/university-of-massachusetts-amherst/outcomes/) for its Architecture graduates four years after completing, the highest figure on this list. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architectural Sciences and Technology (94 graduates) |
| 2 | Pratt Institute-Main · Brooklyn, NY | $84,447 | $52,659 | $38,545 | 73.3% |
|  | Pratt Institute-Main admits 73% of applicants and shows a six-year completion rate of 74%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architectural Sciences and Technology (123 graduates) |
| 3 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute · Troy, NY | $75,551 | $36,228 | $24,078 | 63.5% |
|  | [Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute](/school/rensselaer-polytechnic-institute/majors/), a private nonprofit university in Troy, has an [average net price of $36,228](/school/rensselaer-polytechnic-institute/cost/). |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (57 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architecture ($75,551) |
| 4 | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus · University Park, PA | $75,485 | $32,875 | $19,845 | 60.6% |
|  | [Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus](/school/pennsylvania-state-university-main-campus/majors/) ranks 4th on this list and posts a [six-year completion rate of 86%](/school/pennsylvania-state-university-main-campus/outcomes/). |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (50 graduates), Landscape Architecture (31 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architecture ($76,181), Landscape Architecture ($74,363) |
| 5 | Syracuse University · Syracuse, NY | $75,225 | $38,793 | $15,817 | 45.9% |
|  | [Syracuse University](/school/syracuse-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $75,225](/school/syracuse-university/outcomes/) for its Architecture graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 46%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architectural Sciences and Technology (119 graduates), Interior Architecture (17 graduates) |
| 6 | University of Rhode Island · Kingston, RI | $74,488 | $21,440 | $14,368 | 72.2% |
|  | [University of Rhode Island](/school/university-of-rhode-island/majors/) carries an [average net price of $21,440](/school/university-of-rhode-island/cost/) and a six-year completion rate of 73%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Landscape Architecture (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Landscape Architecture ($74,488) |
| 7 | Drexel University · Philadelphia, PA | $72,915 | $38,509 | $28,055 | 79.4% |
|  | [Drexel University](/school/drexel-university/majors/) [ranks 177th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/drexel-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $72,915 for its Architecture graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (28 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architecture ($72,915) |
| 8 | New York Institute of Technology · Old Westbury, NY | $69,776 | $22,443 | $17,084 | 81.0% |
|  | [New York Institute of Technology](/school/new-york-institute-of-technology/majors/) [admits 81% of applicants](/school/new-york-institute-of-technology/admissions/) and has an average net price of $22,443. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architectural Sciences and Technology (97 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architectural Sciences and Technology ($69,776) |
| 9 | New Jersey Institute of Technology · Newark, NJ | $69,456 | $16,504 | $10,138 | 65.1% |
|  | A [six-year completion rate of 73%](/school/new-jersey-institute-of-technology/outcomes/) and median earnings of $69,456 for its Architecture graduates four years after completing are reported by [New Jersey Institute of Technology](/school/new-jersey-institute-of-technology/majors/). |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architectural Sciences and Technology (68 graduates) |
| 10 | Thomas Jefferson University · Philadelphia, PA | $68,758 | $28,928 | $22,537 | 81.0% |
|  | [Thomas Jefferson University](/school/thomas-jefferson-university/majors/) ranks 10th on this list and carries an [average net price of $28,928](/school/thomas-jefferson-university/cost/). |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architectural Sciences and Technology (52 graduates), Interior Architecture (17 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Interior Architecture ($68,753) |
| 11 | Hobart William Smith Colleges · Geneva, NY | $68,341 | $31,563 | $14,650 | 64.0% |
|  | [Hobart William Smith Colleges](/school/hobart-william-smith-colleges/majors/) posts a [six-year completion rate of 77%](/school/hobart-william-smith-colleges/outcomes/) and an admission rate of 64%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture and Related Services, Other (26 graduates) |
| 12 | Cornell University · Ithaca, NY | No published median | $28,690 | $1,776 | 8.8% |
|  | [Cornell University](/school/cornell-university/majors/) [admits 9% of applicants](/school/cornell-university/admissions/) and reports a six-year completion rate of 95%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architectural Sciences and Technology (76 graduates), City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning (15 graduates), Landscape Architecture (5 graduates) |
| 13 | Rutgers University-New Brunswick · New Brunswick, NJ | $67,050 | $24,406 | $16,343 | 58.2% |
|  | [Rutgers University-New Brunswick](/school/rutgers-university-new-brunswick/majors/) reports [median earnings of $67,050](/school/rutgers-university-new-brunswick/outcomes/) for its Architecture graduates four years after completing, and its 30th composite rank on Azimuth's ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions is the strongest on this list. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Landscape Architecture (19 graduates), City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning (13 graduates), Environmental Design (7 graduates) |
| 14 | Roger Williams University · Bristol, RI | $65,092 | $37,999 | $29,778 | 87.7% |
|  | A private nonprofit institution in Bristol, Roger Williams University shows a six-year completion rate of 69% alongside an average net price of $37,999. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (63 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architecture ($65,092) |
| 15 | Temple University · Philadelphia, PA | No published median | $28,198 | $22,694 | 80.4% |
|  | [Temple University](/school/temple-university/majors/) ranks 15th on this list and [admits 80% of applicants](/school/temple-university/admissions/), with a six-year completion rate of 75%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architectural Sciences and Technology (61 graduates), City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning (11 graduates), Landscape Architecture (5 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architectural Sciences and Technology ($66,518) |
| 16 | Marywood University · Scranton, PA | $62,766 | $23,388 | $18,941 | 60.6% |
|  | Graduates of [Marywood University](/school/marywood-university/majors/) earn a [median of $62,766](/school/marywood-university/outcomes/) four years after completing their Architecture program, and the school posts an average net price of $23,388. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (34 graduates), Interior Architecture (12 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architecture ($67,178) |
| 17 | CUNY New York City College of Technology · Brooklyn, NY | $61,664 | $5,127 | $3,810 | 80.3% |
|  | [CUNY New York City College of Technology](/school/cuny-new-york-city-college-of-technology/majors/) carries the lowest average net price on the page at $5,127 and holds an [Azimuth composite rank of 60th](/school/cuny-new-york-city-college-of-technology/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architectural Sciences and Technology (98 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architectural Sciences and Technology ($61,664) |
| 18 | Keene State College · Keene, NH | $61,304 | $17,887 | $12,192 | 90.3% |
|  | [Keene State College](/school/keene-state-college/majors/) [admits 90% of applicants](/school/keene-state-college/admissions/) and reports median earnings of $61,304 for its Architecture graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (38 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architecture ($61,304) |
| 19 | Westfield State University · Westfield, MA | $59,524 | $16,721 | $10,751 | 81.4% |
|  | A public university in Westfield, [Westfield State University](/school/westfield-state-university/majors/) shows a [six-year completion rate of 54%](/school/westfield-state-university/outcomes/) and an average net price of $16,721. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning (14 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning ($59,524) |
| 20 | SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry · Syracuse, NY | $59,480 | $18,952 | $9,473 | 63.3% |
|  | SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry reports median earnings of $59,480 four years after completing its Architecture program, and its average net price is $18,952. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Landscape Architecture (15 graduates) |
| 21 | Norwich University · Northfield, VT | $58,534 | $22,257 | $15,610 | 74.4% |
|  | [Norwich University](/school/norwich-university/majors/) [admits 74% of applicants](/school/norwich-university/admissions/) and posts a six-year completion rate of 60%, with an average net price of $22,257. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (19 graduates) |
| 22 | University at Buffalo · Buffalo, NY | $55,484 | $20,995 | $14,668 | 74.2% |
|  | [University at Buffalo](/school/university-at-buffalo/majors/) [ranks 103rd on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/university-at-buffalo/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $55,484 for its Architecture graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Environmental Design (76 graduates), Architecture (70 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architecture ($61,525), Environmental Design ($49,920) |
| 23 | Rhode Island School of Design · Providence, RI | No published median | $50,507 | $29,135 | 18.7% |
|  | Rhode Island School of Design admits 19% of applicants and graduates 89% of its students within six years, with an average net price of $50,507. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architectural Sciences and Technology (34 graduates), Architecture (22 graduates) |
| 24 | Carnegie Mellon University · Pittsburgh, PA | No published median | $31,944 | $9,097 | 11.7% |
|  | [Carnegie Mellon University](/school/carnegie-mellon-university/majors/) [admits 12% of applicants](/school/carnegie-mellon-university/admissions/) and posts a six-year completion rate of 94%, with an average net price of $31,944. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architectural Sciences and Technology (36 graduates), Architecture (9 graduates) |
| 25 | University of New Haven · West Haven, CT | $52,854 | $34,192 | $27,837 | 60.4% |
|  | [University of New Haven](/school/university-of-new-haven/majors/), a private nonprofit university in West Haven, reports [$52,854 in median earnings](/school/university-of-new-haven/outcomes/) of Architecture graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $34,192. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Interior Architecture (21 graduates) |
| 26 | La Roche University · Pittsburgh, PA | $42,682 | $20,794 | $16,152 | 75.8% |
|  | [La Roche University](/school/la-roche-university/majors/) [admits 76% of applicants](/school/la-roche-university/admissions/) and shows a six-year completion rate of 57% alongside median earnings of $42,682 two years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Interior Architecture (6 graduates) |
| 27 | Chatham University · Pittsburgh, PA | $32,382 | $29,954 | $22,675 | 62.0% |
|  | With an average net price of $22,675 for families earning under $30,000, Chatham University ranks 867th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Interior Architecture (15 graduates) |
| 28 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania · Indiana, PA | $31,839 | $16,804 | $12,364 | 90.8% |
|  | [Indiana University of Pennsylvania](/school/indiana-university-of-pennsylvania/majors/) graduates earned a [median of $31,839](/school/indiana-university-of-pennsylvania/outcomes/) two years after completing, and the public institution reports a six-year completion rate of 56%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning (7 graduates) |

## How this list is ordered

Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Architecture graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only schools with a reported Architecture earnings cohort in the Northeast appear. The figure captures federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled four years after finishing. For 3 of the 28 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range and median below cover the 24 schools with a published figure. The gap between first-ranked University of Massachusetts-Amherst and second-ranked Pratt Institute-Main is $8,709, and the spread from top to bottom reaches $61,317.

## Related rankings

-   Architecture Colleges
-   [Best Colleges in the Northeast](/rankings/best-colleges-in-the-northeast/)
-   [Best Architecture Colleges in the Midwest](/rankings/best-architecture-colleges-in-the-midwest/)
-   [Best Architecture Colleges in the West](/rankings/best-architecture-colleges-in-the-west/)
-   [Best Architecture Colleges in the South](/rankings/best-architecture-colleges-in-the-south/)
-   Architecture Colleges in the Northeast for Social Mobility