2026 Best General Architecture Schools
Looking for the best General Architecture programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 133 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 General Architecture Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Our analysis found University Of Notre Dame to be the best General Architecture school in the United States. Based in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. Students borrow a median of $28,419 to complete their General Architecture program here. See the full University Of Notre Dame profile
You'll be in good company at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Cambridge, MA, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,396. Typical General Architecture student debt is $13,516. Read the full report on Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
You'll be in good company at Yale University, which ranked #3 this year. Based in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,250. The median General Architecture program debt is $14,357. Read more about Yale University
Out of the 133 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Harvard University landed the #4 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cambridge, MA. Harvard University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical General Architecture student debt is $16,616. Get the full Harvard University report
The strong General Architecture programs at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned it the #5 place in the United States. Located in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Typical General Architecture student debt is $28,192. More on Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Set in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Typical General Architecture student debt is $29,000. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report
University Of California Berkeley came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical General Architecture student debt is $15,000. Get the full University Of California Berkeley report
North Carolina State University At Raleigh did well this year, earning the #8 position. This public school is set in Raleigh, NC. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $25,886 to complete their General Architecture program here. Read the full report on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Rice University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,247. Rice University General Architecture students take on a median of $11,904 in debt. Get the full Rice University report
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #10 among General Architecture schools in the United States. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. The University Of Texas At Austin General Architecture students take on a median of $21,000 in debt. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Located in San Luis Obispo, CA, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Read the full report on California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute placed #12 among General Architecture schools in the United States. Set in Troy, NY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $64,078. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute General Architecture students take on a median of $31,000 in debt. Get the full Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute report
Drexel University placed #13 among General Architecture schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Typical General Architecture student debt is $31,000. Read the full report on Drexel University
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Set in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. The median General Architecture program debt is $23,965. Read the full report on University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,686. The median General Architecture program debt is $16,155. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Pomona, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Typical General Architecture student debt is $28,000. Read more about California State Polytechnic University Pomona
University Of Miami came in at #17 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Coral Gables, FL. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $62,616. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete their General Architecture program here. More on University Of Miami
Auburn University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Set in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. See the full Auburn University profile
University Of Southern California came in at #19 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete their General Architecture program here. Read more about University Of Southern California
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Set in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. University Of Maryland College Park posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $22,654 to complete their General Architecture program here. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
Carnegie Mellon University did well this year, earning the #21 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. More on Carnegie Mellon University
Mississippi State University came in at #22 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Mississippi State, MS. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete their General Architecture program here. Read more about Mississippi State University
Clemson University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best General Architecture schools. Based in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Clemson University General Architecture students take on a median of $22,500 in debt. Get the full Clemson University report
Marywood University placed #24 among General Architecture schools in the United States. Set in Scranton, PA, Marywood University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,420. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete their General Architecture program here. Read more about Marywood University
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #25 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Los Angeles, CA. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. See the full University Of California Los Angeles profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best General Architecture Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best General Architecture schools. Based in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Typical General Architecture student debt is $23,258. Get the full Columbia University In The City Of New York report
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best General Architecture schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public school based in Seattle, WA. University Of Washington Seattle Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. The median General Architecture program debt is $20,423. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus did well this year, earning the #28 position. Set in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Typical General Architecture student debt is $23,138. Read the full report on University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
The University Of Tennessee placed #29 among General Architecture schools in the United States. Based in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete their General Architecture program here. Read the full report on The University Of Tennessee
Catholic University Of America did well this year, earning the #30 position. Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. Catholic University Of America posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,378. Catholic University Of America General Architecture students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. See the full Catholic University Of America profile
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical General Architecture student debt is $22,284. Get the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities report
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #33 among General Architecture schools in the United States. Set in Charlotte, NC, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their General Architecture program here. More on University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Located in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical General Architecture student debt is $18,465. More on Texas A And M University College Station
Washington University In St Louis did well this year, earning the #35 position. Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit school based in St. Louis, MO. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Washington University In St Louis General Architecture students take on a median of $17,553 in debt. Get the full Washington University In St Louis report
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best General Architecture schools. This public school is set in Ann Arbor, MI. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete their General Architecture program here. Read more about University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Houston came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Set in Houston, TX, University Of Houston is a public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical General Architecture student debt is $26,250. More on University Of Houston
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #38 in this year's ranking. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public school based in Honolulu, HI. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. University Of Hawaii At Manoa General Architecture students take on a median of $20,577 in debt. More on University Of Hawaii At Manoa
North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best General Architecture schools. Located in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. North Dakota State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about North Dakota State University Main Campus
Boston Architectural College placed #40 among General Architecture schools in the United States. Located in Boston, MA, Boston Architectural College is a private not-for-profit institution. Boston Architectural College posts a six-year graduation rate of 32%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,470. Students borrow a median of $53,192 to complete their General Architecture program here. Read the full report on Boston Architectural College
University Of Arkansas did well this year, earning the #41 position. Located in Fayetteville, AR, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. University Of Arkansas graduates 70% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. The median General Architecture program debt is $27,250. More on University Of Arkansas
University Of Nebraska Lincoln did well this year, earning the #42 position. This public school is set in Lincoln, NE. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their General Architecture program here. See the full University Of Nebraska Lincoln profile
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #43 among General Architecture schools in the United States. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public school based in Milwaukee, WI. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates 53% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Typical General Architecture student debt is $26,000. See the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee profile
Ball State University came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Ball State University is a public school based in Muncie, IN. Ball State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 62%. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. The median General Architecture program debt is $28,670. Get the full Ball State University report
Drury University landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Located in Springfield, MO, Drury University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. Students from in state pay about $36,745 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. See the full Drury University profile
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Based in Cincinnati, OH, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Students borrow a median of $22,600 to complete their General Architecture program here. Read the full report on University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best General Architecture schools. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public school based in Chicago, IL. University Of Illinois At Chicago posts a six-year graduation rate of 62%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. The median General Architecture program debt is $23,840. More on University Of Illinois At Chicago
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #51 among General Architecture schools in the United States. Set in Arlington, TX, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $23,535 to complete their General Architecture program here. More on The University Of Texas At Arlington
University Of Florida landed the #52 spot in the United States this year. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. The median General Architecture program debt is $19,843. Get the full University Of Florida report
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred did well this year, earning the #54 position. Located in Alfred, NY, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a public institution. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred graduates 54% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,892 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,837 for out-of-state students. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred General Architecture students take on a median of $31,000 in debt. Read the full report on Suny College Of Technology At Alfred
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #55 spot in the United States this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public school based in Tampa, FL. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete their General Architecture program here. Read more about University Of South Florida Main Campus
Best General Architecture Schools by Degree Level
Explore rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best General Architecture Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General Architecture Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General Architecture Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best General Architecture Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best General Architecture Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General Architecture Master’s Degree Schools
- Best General Architecture Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 133 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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