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# Best Architecture Programs in the Northeast (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

Part of [Best Architecture Colleges in the Northeast](/rankings/best-architecture-colleges-in-the-northeast/)

Regional list from [Best Architecture Programs in the United States](/rankings/best-architecture-programs/)

This page ranks the 10 Architecture programs in the Northeast by the median earnings of Architecture graduates four years after completing. [Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus](/school/pennsylvania-state-university-main-campus/majors/) leads the list with median earnings of $76,181 for its graduates four years after completing.

Across the listed schools, the figures range from $76,181 to $50,439, with a median of $66,135. The gap between the first and second spots is $630.

The list includes 3 public and 7 private nonprofit institutions. University at Buffalo ranks 103rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. Keene State College posts the lowest average net price on the page, at $17,887.

## The ranked list

10 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus · University Park, PA | $76,181 | $32,875 | $19,845 | 60.6% |
|  | [Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus](/school/pennsylvania-state-university-main-campus/majors/) ranks 1st on this list, with [median earnings of $76,181](/school/pennsylvania-state-university-main-campus/outcomes/) for its Architecture graduates four years after completing. |
| 2 | 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, reports an [admission rate of 63%](/school/rensselaer-polytechnic-institute/admissions/) and median earnings of $75,551 for its Architecture graduates four years after completing. |
| 3 | Carnegie Mellon University · Pittsburgh, PA | $73,439 | $31,944 | $9,097 | 11.7% |
|  | [Carnegie Mellon University](/school/carnegie-mellon-university/majors/) posts an [average net price of $31,944](/school/carnegie-mellon-university/cost/) and a school-wide median federal debt of $21,750 across all of its borrowers who completed. |
| 4 | Drexel University · Philadelphia, PA | $72,915 | $38,509 | $28,055 | 79.4% |
|  | [Drexel University](/school/drexel-university/majors/) ranks 4th on this list, with [median federal debt of $31,000](/school/drexel-university/cost/) among Architecture completers who borrowed. |
| 5 | Marywood University · Scranton, PA | $67,178 | $23,388 | $18,941 | 60.6% |
|  | [Marywood University](/school/marywood-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $67,178](/school/marywood-university/outcomes/) for its Architecture graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $18,941 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 6 | Roger Williams University · Bristol, RI | $65,092 | $37,999 | $29,778 | 87.7% |
|  | Roger Williams University admits 88% of applicants and reports median earnings of $65,092 for its Architecture graduates four years after completing. |
| 7 | University at Buffalo · Buffalo, NY | $61,525 | $20,995 | $14,668 | 74.2% |
|  | [University at Buffalo](/school/university-at-buffalo/majors/) reports [median earnings of $61,525](/school/university-at-buffalo/outcomes/) for its Architecture graduates four years after completing, and ranks 103rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 8 | Keene State College · Keene, NH | $61,304 | $17,887 | $12,192 | 90.3% |
|  | [Keene State College](/school/keene-state-college/majors/) reports an [average net price of $17,887](/school/keene-state-college/cost/) and admits 90% of applicants. |
| 9 | Norwich University · Northfield, VT | $58,534 | $22,257 | $15,610 | 74.4% |
|  | [Norwich University](/school/norwich-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $58,534](/school/norwich-university/outcomes/) for its Architecture graduates four years after completing, with a cohort of 19 graduates in the earnings cohort. |
| 10 | Rhode Island School of Design · Providence, RI | $50,439 | $50,507 | $29,135 | 18.7% |
|  | Rhode Island School of Design posts an admission rate of 19% and an average net price of $29,135 for families earning under $30,000. |

## How this list is ordered

Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Architecture graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in the Northeast appear. The figures cover federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled, measured four years after completing. For 1 of the 10 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 from Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus to the bottom of the list is $25,742, and the gap between Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is $630.

## Related rankings

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