Best Architecture Colleges in the South (2026)
Updated
This page ranks the 38 Architecture programs in the South by median earnings of Architecture graduates four years after completing. The University of Texas at Austin leads the list at $76,808, followed by University of Georgia at $74,983 and North Carolina State University at Raleigh at $73,190.
Across the 33 schools with a reported completion median, earnings range from $76,808 to $42,682, with a median of $67,204. For 2 of the listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.
The list is heavily public: 33 of the 38 schools are public, and the remaining 5 are private nonprofits. University of Florida reports the lowest average net price on the page at $6,541, while University of Virginia-Main Campus posts the highest six-year completion rate at 96%.
The University of Texas at Arlington ranks 8th on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median Architecture Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The University of Texas at Austin · Austin, TX | $76,808 | $19,857 | $12,553 | 26.6% |
| The University of Texas at Austin reports $76,808 in median earnings for its Architecture graduates four years after completing, and ranks 9th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (65 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architecture ($76,808) | |||||
| 2 | University of Georgia · Athens, GA | $74,983 | $13,936 | $8,085 | 37.7% |
| With an average net price of $13,936, University of Georgia admits 38% of applicants and graduates 90% of its students within six years. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Landscape Architecture (45 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Landscape Architecture ($74,983) | |||||
| 3 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh · Raleigh, NC | $73,190 | $17,303 | $6,382 | 41.7% |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh posts a six-year completion rate of 85% and an average net price of $6,382 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Environmental Design (21 graduates), Architecture (20 graduates) | |||||
| 4 | Oklahoma State University-Main Campus · Stillwater, OK | $73,075 | $17,447 | $12,243 | 75.0% |
| Oklahoma State University-Main Campus ranks 4th on this list, with median earnings of $73,075 for its Architecture graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architectural Sciences and Technology (41 graduates), Landscape Architecture (8 graduates) | |||||
| 5 | Tulane University of Louisiana · New Orleans, LA | $71,413 | $39,949 | $16,126 | 14.0% |
| A private nonprofit university in New Orleans, Tulane University of Louisiana admits 14% of applicants and has an average net price of $39,949. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architectural Sciences and Technology (18 graduates), Architecture (17 graduates), Real Estate Development (17 graduates) | |||||
| 6 | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus · Atlanta, GA | $71,292 | $12,116 | $7,666 | 14.1% |
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus reports median earnings of $71,292 for its Architecture graduates four years after completing, alongside a 94% six-year completion rate. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (41 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architecture ($71,292) | |||||
| 7 | Western Kentucky University · Bowling Green, KY | $71,240 | $10,990 | $7,087 | 93.9% |
| With an admission rate of 94%, Western Kentucky University shows an average net price of $7,087 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architectural Sciences and Technology (22 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architectural Sciences and Technology ($71,240) | |||||
| 8 | Kennesaw State University · Kennesaw, GA | $70,752 | $15,048 | $12,235 | 69.2% |
| Kennesaw State University ranks 24th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $70,752 for its Architecture graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (48 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architecture ($70,752) | |||||
| 9 | University of Houston · Houston, TX | $70,616 | $14,276 | $10,929 | 73.9% |
| University of Houston graduates 65% of its students within six years and lists an average net price of $14,276. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (95 graduates), Environmental Design (7 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architecture ($70,616) | |||||
| 10 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK | $70,383 | $15,300 | $10,509 | 76.6% |
| Admitting 77% of applicants, University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus reports median earnings of $70,383 for its Architecture graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architectural Sciences and Technology (26 graduates), Architecture (12 graduates) | |||||
| 11 | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University · Tallahassee, FL | $69,874 | $13,739 | $13,299 | 20.6% |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University shows an average net price of $13,299 for families earning under $30,000 and ranks 163rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (38 graduates) | |||||
| 12 | The Catholic University of America · Washington, DC | $69,838 | $29,561 | $17,358 | 82.8% |
| A private nonprofit university in Washington, The Catholic University of America reports median earnings of $69,838 for its Architecture graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (59 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architecture ($69,838) | |||||
| 13 | Auburn University · Auburn, AL | $69,494 | $24,323 | $16,681 | 45.9% |
| Auburn University reports $69,494 in median earnings for its Architecture graduates four years after completing, alongside a six-year completion rate of 82%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (62 graduates), Environmental Design (27 graduates), Interior Architecture (13 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architecture ($72,420) | |||||
| 14 | University of Maryland-College Park · College Park, MD | $68,527 | $15,678 | $2,962 | 44.8% |
| With an average net price of $15,678, University of Maryland-College Park ranks 71st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (124 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architecture ($68,527) | |||||
| 15 | University of Virginia-Main Campus · Charlottesville, VA | $67,819 | $21,565 | $8,174 | 16.8% |
| University of Virginia-Main Campus admits 17% of applicants and shows a six-year completion rate of 96%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (73 graduates), City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning (14 graduates), Architectural History, Criticism, and Conservation (9 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architecture ($70,213) | |||||
| 16 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville · Knoxville, TN | $67,651 | $18,976 | $10,029 | 41.6% |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville posts median earnings of $67,651 for its Architecture graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $18,976. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (72 graduates), Interior Architecture (32 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architecture ($68,765) | |||||
| 17 | University of Florida · Gainesville, FL | $67,399 | $6,541 | $1,982 | 24.2% |
| An average net price of $1,982 for families earning under $30,000 coincides with a 24% admission rate at University of Florida. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (92 graduates), Landscape Architecture (13 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architecture ($67,399) | |||||
| 18 | Texas A&M University-College Station · College Station, TX | $67,352 | $21,315 | $12,784 | 57.4% |
| Texas A&M University-College Station ranks 25th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $67,352 for its Architecture graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (90 graduates), City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning (28 graduates), Landscape Architecture (24 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Landscape Architecture ($73,729), City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning ($70,592), Architecture ($64,643) | |||||
| 19 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte · Charlotte, NC | $67,204 | $15,435 | $10,357 | 79.6% |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte shows a six-year completion rate of 69% and an average net price of $15,435. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (37 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architecture ($67,204) | |||||
| 20 | Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS | $65,334 | $17,595 | $14,332 | 77.6% |
| With an admission rate of 78%, Mississippi State University reports median earnings of $65,334 for its Architecture graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Interior Architecture (29 graduates), Architecture (26 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architecture ($69,699) | |||||
| 21 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College · Baton Rouge, LA | $64,936 | $19,151 | $13,056 | 73.3% |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College posts an average net price of $19,151 and a six-year completion rate of 69%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (40 graduates), Interior Architecture (35 graduates), Landscape Architecture (19 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architecture ($69,029), Landscape Architecture ($68,140), Interior Architecture ($58,518) | |||||
| 22 | University of Central Florida · Orlando, FL | $64,826 | $10,411 | $5,816 | 40.1% |
| University of Central Florida ranks 19th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $5,816 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (39 graduates) | |||||
| 23 | Clemson University · Clemson, SC | $64,177 | $22,253 | $13,607 | 38.3% |
| Clemson University reports median earnings of $64,177 for its Architecture graduates four years after completing and admits 38% of applicants. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (86 graduates), Landscape Architecture (19 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Landscape Architecture ($65,469), Architecture ($63,892) | |||||
| 24 | Savannah College of Art and Design · Savannah, GA | $64,052 | $49,430 | $44,858 | 83.0% |
| A private nonprofit institution, Savannah College of Art and Design reports an average net price of $49,430 and a six-year completion rate of 69%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architectural Sciences and Technology (67 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architectural Sciences and Technology ($64,052) | |||||
| 25 | University of Kentucky · Lexington, KY | $62,730 | $18,851 | $12,182 | 92.9% |
| University of Kentucky reports $62,730 in median earnings for its Architecture graduates four years after completing, and its six-year completion rate is 71%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (57 graduates), Landscape Architecture (14 graduates) | |||||
| 26 | Prairie View A & M University · Prairie View, TX | $62,540 | $13,570 | $12,120 | 79.3% |
| With an admission rate of 79%, Prairie View A & M University ranks 26th on this list and posts a median of $62,540 for its Architecture graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (37 graduates) | |||||
| 27 | University of Arkansas · Fayetteville, AR | $62,403 | $18,209 | $14,319 | 74.3% |
| University of Arkansas ranks 27th on this list and shows a six-year completion rate of 71% alongside an average net price of $18,209. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (60 graduates), Landscape Architecture (22 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architecture ($67,955) | |||||
| 28 | The University of Texas at Arlington · Arlington, TX | $62,345 | $13,951 | $11,893 | 79.9% |
| The University of Texas at Arlington ranks 8th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports $62,345 in median earnings for its Architecture graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (80 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architecture ($62,345) | |||||
| 29 | Texas Tech University · Lubbock, TX | $61,656 | $19,070 | $12,457 | 72.7% |
| Texas Tech University ranks 29th on this list, admits 73% of applicants, and graduates 69% of its students within six years. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (117 graduates), Landscape Architecture (18 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architecture ($63,871) | |||||
| 30 | Morgan State University · Baltimore, MD | $59,586 | $14,985 | $9,585 | 82.2% |
| Morgan State University reports $59,586 in median earnings for its Architecture graduates four years after completing, and its average net price is $14,985. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (39 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architecture ($59,586) | |||||
| 31 | The University of Texas at San Antonio · San Antonio, TX | $58,582 | $10,836 | $7,870 | 86.8% |
| Ranking 31st on this list, The University of Texas at San Antonio posts an average net price of $10,836 and an admission rate of 87%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (69 graduates), Interior Architecture (20 graduates) | |||||
| 32 | Florida Atlantic University · Boca Raton, FL | $58,091 | $8,752 | $3,022 | 66.1% |
| Florida Atlantic University reports $58,091 in median earnings for its Architecture graduates four years after completing, and its six-year completion rate is 63%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architectural Sciences and Technology (46 graduates), Environmental Design (31 graduates), City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning ($66,093) | |||||
| 33 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA | $56,276 | $24,953 | $11,689 | 54.8% |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ranks 33rd on this list, admits 55% of applicants, and graduates 86% of its students within six years. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architectural Sciences and Technology (129 graduates), Landscape Architecture (10 graduates) | |||||
| 34 | Texas State University · San Marcos, TX | $55,625 | $16,805 | $12,715 | 89.3% |
| Texas State University ranks 40th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports $55,625 in median earnings for its Architecture graduates four years after completing. | |||||
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 ($55,625) | |||||
| 35 | Louisiana Tech University · Ruston, LA | $53,731 | $11,864 | $7,676 | 86.4% |
| Louisiana Tech University ranks 35th on this list, reports $53,731 in median earnings for its Architecture graduates four years after completing, and shows an average net price of $11,864. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture and Related Services, Other (39 graduates), Interior Architecture (8 graduates) | |||||
| 36 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette · Lafayette, LA | $51,546 | $13,530 | $11,157 | 87.0% |
| University of Louisiana at Lafayette posts an admission rate of 87% and a six-year completion rate of 53%, ranking 36th on this list. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture and Related Services, Other (30 graduates), Interior Architecture (25 graduates) | |||||
| 37 | Howard University · Washington, DC | $44,971 | $50,539 | $46,051 | 41.3% |
| Howard University, a private nonprofit university in Washington, reports median earnings of $44,971 for its Architecture graduates two years after completing and an average net price of $50,539. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (12 graduates) | |||||
| 38 | Tuskegee University · Tuskegee, AL | $42,682 | $35,013 | $34,324 | 48.7% |
| Tuskegee University ranks 38th on this list, with a six-year completion rate of 55% and median earnings of $42,682 for its Architecture graduates two years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architectural Sciences and Technology (9 graduates) | |||||
How this list is ordered
Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Architecture graduates four years after completing, or two years for programs that report only a two-year figure, highest first. The figures represent median earnings of federally aided Architecture completers who were working and not enrolled, measured after completing. For 2 of the 38 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 figures cited on this page cover the 33 schools with a reported completion median. The University of Texas at Austin leads University of Georgia by $1,825 in median earnings, and the spread from top to bottom reaches $34,126.
Related rankings
- Architecture Colleges
- Best Colleges in the South
- Best Architecture Colleges in the Northeast
- Best Architecture Colleges in the Midwest
- Best Architecture Colleges in the West
- Architecture Colleges in the South for Social Mobility