[College research](/) / [Rankings](/rankings/)

# Best Architecture Colleges in the South (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

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

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](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-austin/majors/) leads the list at $76,808, followed by [University of Georgia](/school/university-of-georgia/majors/) at $74,983 and [North Carolina State University at Raleigh](/school/north-carolina-state-university-at-raleigh/majors/) at $73,190.

Across the 33 schools with a published figure, 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 nonprofit four-year institutions.

## The ranked list

38 schools in list order

| 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](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-austin/majors/) reports [$76,808 in median earnings](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-austin/outcomes/) of Architecture graduates four years after completing, the highest figure on this list, 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 a [six-year completion rate of 90%](/school/university-of-georgia/outcomes/), [University of Georgia](/school/university-of-georgia/majors/) posts median earnings of $74,983 for its Architecture graduates four years after completing. |
|  | 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](/school/north-carolina-state-university-at-raleigh/majors/) [admits 42% of applicants](/school/north-carolina-state-university-at-raleigh/admissions/) and its Architecture graduates earn a median of $73,190 four years after completing. |
|  | 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](/school/oklahoma-state-university-main-campus/majors/) carries an [average net price of $17,447](/school/oklahoma-state-university-main-campus/cost/) and its Architecture graduates earn a median of $73,075 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 | No published median | $39,949 | $16,126 | 14.0% |
|  | A private nonprofit university in New Orleans, [Tulane University of Louisiana](/school/tulane-university-of-louisiana/majors/) [admits 14% of applicants](/school/tulane-university-of-louisiana/admissions/) and graduates 86% of its students within six years. |
|  | 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](/school/georgia-institute-of-technology-main-campus/majors/) reports [median earnings of $71,292](/school/georgia-institute-of-technology-main-campus/outcomes/) for its Architecture graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $12,116. |
|  | 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% |
|  | [Western Kentucky University](/school/western-kentucky-university/majors/) posts an [average net price of $7,087](/school/western-kentucky-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 and median earnings of $71,240 for its Architecture graduates four years after completing. |
|  | 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](/school/kennesaw-state-university/majors/) [ranks 24th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/kennesaw-state-university/) 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% |
|  | With a [six-year completion rate of 65%](/school/university-of-houston/outcomes/), [University of Houston](/school/university-of-houston/majors/) posts median earnings of $70,616 for its Architecture graduates four years after completing. |
|  | 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% |
|  | [University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus](/school/university-of-oklahoma-norman-campus/majors/) carries an [average net price of $15,300](/school/university-of-oklahoma-norman-campus/cost/) and its Architecture graduates earn a median of $70,383 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](/school/florida-agricultural-and-mechanical-university/majors/) [admits 21% of applicants](/school/florida-agricultural-and-mechanical-university/admissions/) and reports median earnings of $69,874 for its Architecture graduates four years after completing. |
|  | 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 graduates 79% of its students within six years and 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](/school/auburn-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $69,494](/school/auburn-university/outcomes/) for its Architecture graduates four years after completing, and admits 46% of applicants. |
|  | 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 a [six-year completion rate of 89%](/school/university-of-maryland-college-park/outcomes/), [University of Maryland-College Park](/school/university-of-maryland-college-park/majors/) ranks 14th on this list and posts an average net price of $15,678. |
|  | 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 | No published median | $21,565 | $8,174 | 16.8% |
|  | [University of Virginia-Main Campus](/school/university-of-virginia-main-campus/majors/) [admits 17% of applicants](/school/university-of-virginia-main-campus/admissions/) and posts an average net price of $8,174 for families earning under $30,000, and ranks 15th on this list. |
|  | 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](/school/the-university-of-tennessee-knoxville/majors/) reports [median earnings of $67,651](/school/the-university-of-tennessee-knoxville/outcomes/) for its Architecture graduates four years after completing, alongside 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% |
|  | [University of Florida](/school/university-of-florida/majors/) reports [median earnings of $67,399](/school/university-of-florida/outcomes/) for its Architecture graduates four years after completing, and its average net price of $6,541 is the lowest on the page. |
|  | 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](/school/texas-am-university-college-station/majors/) [ranks 25th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/texas-am-university-college-station/) among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Architecture graduates earn a median of $67,352 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% |
|  | Admitting 80% of applicants, [University of North Carolina at Charlotte](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-charlotte/majors/) reports [median earnings of $67,204](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-charlotte/outcomes/) for its Architecture graduates four years after completing. |
|  | 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% |
|  | [Mississippi State University](/school/mississippi-state-university/majors/) [graduates 67% of its students within six years](/school/mississippi-state-university/outcomes/) and 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](/school/louisiana-state-university-and-agricultural-mechanical-college/majors/) [ranks 81st on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/louisiana-state-university-and-agricultural-mechanical-college/) among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Architecture graduates earn a median of $64,936 four years after completing. |
|  | 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% |
|  | With an [average net price of $10,411,](/school/university-of-central-florida/cost/) [University of Central Florida](/school/university-of-central-florida/majors/) reports median earnings of $64,826 for its Architecture graduates four years after completing. |
|  | 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](/school/clemson-university/majors/) [admits 38% of applicants](/school/clemson-university/admissions/) and reports median earnings of $64,177 for its Architecture graduates four years after completing. |
|  | 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 median earnings of $64,052 for its Architecture graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $49,430. |
|  | 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](/school/university-of-kentucky/majors/) reports [median earnings of $62,730](/school/university-of-kentucky/outcomes/) for its Architecture graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $18,851. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (57 graduates), Landscape Architecture (14 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architecture ($62,383) |
| 26 | Prairie View A & M University · Prairie View, TX | $62,540 | $13,570 | $12,120 | 79.3% |
|  | With a [six-year completion rate of 43%](/school/prairie-view-a-m-university/outcomes/), [Prairie View A & M University](/school/prairie-view-a-m-university/majors/) ranks 26th on this list and posts an average net price of $12,120 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (37 graduates) |
| 27 | University of Arkansas · Fayetteville, AR | No published median | $18,209 | $14,319 | 74.3% |
|  | [University of Arkansas](/school/university-of-arkansas/majors/) [admits 74% of applicants](/school/university-of-arkansas/admissions/) and holds an Azimuth composite rank of 218th among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | 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](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-arlington/majors/) [ranks 8th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-arlington/) among nonprofit four-year institutions, the strongest position on this list, alongside median earnings of $62,345 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 | No published median | $19,070 | $12,457 | 72.7% |
|  | A public university in Lubbock, [Texas Tech University](/school/texas-tech-university/majors/) [graduates 69% of its students within six years](/school/texas-tech-university/outcomes/) and carries an average net price of $19,070. |
|  | 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](/school/morgan-state-university/majors/) posts [median earnings of $59,586](/school/morgan-state-university/outcomes/) for its Architecture graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $9,585 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | 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](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-san-antonio/majors/) reports an [average net price of $10,836](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-san-antonio/cost/) and a six-year completion rate of 53%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Architecture (69 graduates), Interior Architecture (20 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architecture ($57,778) |
| 32 | Florida Atlantic University · Boca Raton, FL | $58,091 | $8,752 | $3,022 | 66.1% |
|  | [Florida Atlantic University](/school/florida-atlantic-university/majors/) [admits 66% of applicants](/school/florida-atlantic-university/admissions/), and its Architecture graduates earn a median of $58,091 four years after completing. |
|  | 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 | No published median | $24,953 | $11,689 | 54.8% |
|  | [Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University](/school/virginia-polytechnic-institute-and-state-university/majors/) holds a [six-year completion rate of 86%](/school/virginia-polytechnic-institute-and-state-university/outcomes/) and an average net price of $11,689 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | 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% |
|  | With an [Azimuth composite rank of 40th](/school/texas-state-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions, [Texas State University](/school/texas-state-university/majors/) reports median earnings of $55,625 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](/school/louisiana-tech-university/majors/) ranks 35th on this list, [admits 86% of applicants](/school/louisiana-tech-university/admissions/), and posts an average net price of $7,676 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | 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](/school/university-of-louisiana-at-lafayette/majors/) reports [median earnings of $51,546](/school/university-of-louisiana-at-lafayette/outcomes/) for its Architecture graduates four years after completing, alongside a six-year completion rate of 53%. |
|  | 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 reports median earnings of $44,971 for its Architecture graduates two years after completing, and an average net price of $46,051 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | 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 admits 49% of applicants and its Architecture graduates earn a median of $42,682 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, highest first. Only schools with a reported Architecture earnings cohort in the South appear. The figures represent median earnings of federally aided Architecture completers who were working and not enrolled, measured four years 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 range and median below cover the 33 schools with a published figure. 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](/rankings/best-colleges-in-the-south/)
-   [Best Architecture Colleges in the Northeast](/rankings/best-architecture-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/)
-   Architecture Colleges in the South for Social Mobility