Best Schools for Architectural Engineering

Architectural Engineering graduates earn a median of $87,133 within four years of graduating, ranking #21 out of 283 tracked majors — 39% above the median across all fields. There are 17 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 437 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Auburn University graduates earn $97,759 while Texas A&M University-Kingsville graduates earn $70,912 — a $26,847 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap. Across all fields, though, which major you pick separates earnings more than which college does.

Early career salary growth is modest: Architectural Engineering graduates see an average 0% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

Schools

$87,133

Avg. 2yr Earnings

#21

of 283 Majors

437

Graduates

Public vs Private: Architectural Engineering

Public (13 schools)

$87,264

avg. 2yr earnings

Private (4 schools)

$86,569

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools produce comparable or higher early earnings for Architectural Engineering, often at lower tuition — making them strong value options for this major.

Architectural Engineering by State

Top Architectural Engineering Schools by Graduate Earnings

Auburn University

Auburn, AL · Public

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

University Park, PA · Public

The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX · Public

$93,710

4yr Earnings

29 grads · small sample

2yr: $69,338 (31)

1yr: $64,188 (32)

Acceptance: 29.1%

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public

University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Cincinnati, OH · Public

$92,687

4yr Earnings

20 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 87.7%

Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS · Public

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO · Public

$89,797

4yr Earnings

25 grads · small sample

2yr: $67,324 (32)

1yr: $63,737 (17)

Acceptance: 83.3%

Milwaukee School of Engineering

Milwaukee, WI · Private

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA · Private

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Rolla, MO · Public

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester, MA · Private

$85,112

4yr Earnings

22 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 58.5%

#12

University of Nebraska at Omaha

Omaha, NE · Public

University of Kansas

Lawrence, KS · Public

$84,319

4yr Earnings

22 grads · small sample

1yr: $62,052 (22)

Acceptance: 88.2%

#14

University of Wyoming

Laramie, WY · Public

$82,143

4yr Earnings

20 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 97.4%

#15

North Carolina A & T State University

Greensboro, NC · Public

$73,826

4yr Earnings

23 grads · small sample

Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Kingsville, TX · Public

$70,912

4yr Earnings

29 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 92.3%

#17

Illinois Institute of Technology

Chicago, IL · Private

$63,005

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 55.4%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Industrial Engineering $67,099 Metallurgical Engineering $66,313 Chemical Engineering $66,251 Materials Engineering $65,789 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering $64,886 Mechanical Engineering $64,597

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Architectural Engineering?

Auburn University ranks #1 for Architectural Engineering with median graduate earnings of $97,759 within four years of graduating. There are 17 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.

How much do Architectural Engineering graduates earn?

Architectural Engineering graduates earn an average of $87,133 within four years of graduating. This is 39% above the median across all majors. Earnings range from $70,912 to $97,759 depending on the school.

How hard is it to get into a top Architectural Engineering program?

The average acceptance rate across Architectural Engineering programs is 67.6%. The most selective program is at The University of Texas at Austin with a 29.1% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.

Is a public or private school better for Architectural Engineering?

Private Architectural Engineering programs average $86,569 in early earnings vs $87,264 at public schools. Public schools offer competitive earnings at typically lower cost, making them strong value options.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders, from the field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release — Scorecard publishes the two separately.

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