Architectural Sciences and Technology: degree ROI, salary & best colleges
Architectural Sciences and Technology graduates earn a median $70,074 four years after finishing — $21,714/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. At a typical $16,906/yr net price ($67,624 over four years), that pays back in about 3.1 years. Federal data pools 76 bachelor's programs graduating roughly 2,746 students a year. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026 · our math.)
Architectural Sciences and Technology ranks #66 of 202 bachelor's fields by earnings — pays more than 68% of majors.
| # | College | State | Grad earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | WA | $103,414 |
| 2 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst | MA | $93,156 |
| 3 | Pratt Institute-Main | NY | $84,447 |
| 4 | University of Southern California | CA | $78,741 |
| 5 | Art Center College of Design | CA | $77,401 |
| 6 | Syracuse University | NY | $76,367 |
| 7 | Oklahoma State University-Main Campus | OK | $73,075 |
| 8 | Cornell University | NY | $71,914 |
| 9 | Western Kentucky University | KY | $71,240 |
| 10 | New York Institute of Technology | NY | $69,776 |
| 11 | New Jersey Institute of Technology | NJ | $69,456 |
| 12 | Thomas Jefferson University | PA | $68,760 |
College Scorecard field-of-study (2026), program-level median earnings for this CIP · our ranking.
How we compute this. Earnings are the national median for graduates of this field measured 1 and 4 years after completion (Scorecard field-of-study, bachelor's). Premium = 4-year earnings − the $48,360 high-school baseline. Payback = a representative 4-year net cost (median college net price × 4) ÷ premium. Field medians blend every school — a specific program can pay far more or less. Full method on the methodology page; the field ranking is on ROI by major.