General Architecture
Types of Degrees General Architecture Majors Are Getting
The following table lists how many general architecture graduations there were in 2018-2019 for each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1,780 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 126 |
| Graduate Certificate | 45 |
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What General Architecture Majors Need to Know
People with careers related to architecture were asked what knowledge areas, skills, and abilities were important for their jobs. They weighted these areas on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the highest.
Knowledge Areas for Architecture Majors
This major prepares you for careers in which these knowledge areas are important:
- Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
- Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Skills for Architecture Majors
A major in architecture prepares you for careers in which the following skill-sets are crucial:
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Abilities for Architecture Majors
As you progress with your architecture degree, there are several abilities you should pick up that will help you in whatever related career you choose. These abilities include:
- Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
What Can You Do With a General Architecture Major?
Below is a list of occupations associated with architecture:
| Job Title | Job Growth Rate | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | 4.2% | $79,380 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 5.5% | $140,760 |
| Architecture Professors | 10.5% | $86,980 |
Who Is Getting a Master’s Degree in General Architecture?
Racial-Ethnic Diversity
At the countrywide level, the racial-ethnic distribution of architecture majors is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 73 |
| Black or African American | 99 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 285 |
| White | 854 |
| International Students | 389 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 80 |
Geographic Diversity
Americans aren’t the only ones with an interest in Architecture. About 21.9% of those with this major are international students. The most popular countries for students from outside the country are:
- China
- South Korea
- Canada
- India
- Saudi Arabia
How Much Do General Architecture Majors Make?
Master’s Degree Starting Salary
The median starting salary of students who graduated in 2015-2017 with a master’s degree in architecture was $50,950 per year. These stats come from the U.S. Department of Education. During this timeframe, most salaries fell between $48,325 (25th percentile) and $53,200 (75th percentile).
One thing to note here is that not all of these people may be working in careers related to architecture.
Salaries According to BLS
Average salaries range from $88,860 to $148,970 (25th to 75th percentile) for careers related to architecture. This range includes all degree levels, so you may expect those with a more advanced degree to make more while those with less advanced degrees will typically make less.
To put that into context, according to BLS data from the first quarter of 2020, the typical high school graduate makes between $30,000 and $57,900 a year (25th through 75th percentile). The average person with a bachelor’s degree (any field) makes between $45,600 and $99,000. Advanced degree holders make the most with salaries between $55,600 and $125,400.
Amount of Education Required for Careers Related to General Architecture
Some careers associated with architecture require an advanced degree while some may not even require a bachelor’s. In general, the more advanced your degree the more career options will open up to you. However, there is significant time and money that needs to be invested into your education so weigh the pros and cons.
Find out what the typical degree level is for architecture careers below.
| Education Level | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 2.9% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 47.1% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master. | 6.9% |
| Master’s Degree | 23.0% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master’s degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level. | 1.1% |
| First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession. | 9.1% |
| Doctoral Degree | 10.0% |
Online General Architecture Programs
In the 2018-2019 academic year, 153 schools offered some type of general architecture program. The following table lists the number of programs by degree level, along with how many schools offered online courses in the field.
| Degree Level | Colleges Offering Programs | Colleges Offering Online Classes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate (Less Than 1 Year) | 0 | 0 |
| Certificate (1-2 years) | 1 | 0 |
| Certificate (2-4 Years) | 0 | 0 |
| Associate’s Degree | 11 | 2 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 13 | 0 |
| Post-Baccalaureate | 0 | 0 |
| Master’s Degree | 103 | 3 |
| Post-Master’s | 3 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Research) | 23 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Professional Practice) | 1 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Other) | 0 | 0 |
Is a Degree in General Architecture Worth It?
The median salary for a architecture grad is $99,320 per year. This is based on the weighted average of the most common careers associated with the major.
This is 149% more than the average salary for an individual holding a high school degree. This adds up to a gain of about $1,188,400 after 20 years!
Majors Related to General Architecture
You may also be interested in one of the following majors related to architecture.
| Major | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Architectural Sciences & Technology | 5,448 |
| Urban & Regional Planning | 2,729 |
| Landscape Architecture | 1,177 |
| Environmental Design | 717 |
| Interior Architecture | 663 |
| Real Estate Development | 452 |
| Architecture (Other) | 268 |
| Architectural History | 154 |
References
- College Factual
- College Scorecard
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Usual Weekly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers First Quarter 2020
- Image Credit: By Danichou under License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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