School Overviews
Architecture programs are available at the bachelors, master's, and doctoral levels. Students can choose between them by looking for programs that match their academic interests and career aspirations within the field. The University of Texas at Austin, Yale University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Columbia University are top architectural colleges that offer programs accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). These schools were selected for their program variety as well as their national university rankings from U.S. News & World Report. The University of Texas at Austin, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale University, and Columbia University offer undergraduate and graduate programs in architecture.
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a large, research-based university that placed 56th among national universities, according to U.S. News & World Report for 2017. Undergraduate students can pursue a 5-year Bachelor of Architecture or a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies with a specialized track in architectural history. Students can earn both of these degrees in 6 years through a dual-degree program. A 5-year Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Arts dual-degree program is available as well.
The university also offers two programs leading to a professional Master of Architecture. Interdisciplinary graduate programs include studies in sustainable design, urban design, and historic preservation. Advanced students can earn a Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture.
Yale University in New Haven, CT
For 2017, U.S. News & World Report ranked Yale University 3rd among national universities and also 3rd among best value schools. The Yale School of Architecture offers several undergraduate and graduate programs in architecture, as well as three joint degree programs.
In addition to a B.A. in Architecture, programs include a professional and post-professional Master of Architecture, Master of Environmental Design, and Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture. Students pursuing joint master's degree programs can combine their study of architecture with business, environmental design, or environmental studies.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) in Cambridge, MA
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranked seventh on U.S. News & World Report's list of national universities in 2017.
The School of Architecture offers a general undergraduate program and four graduate programs in architecture, including a Master of Architecture. Students can also earn a Master of Science in Art, Culture, and Technology or Building Technology; a Master of Science in Architecture Studies with a specialization in Islamic Architecture or Architecture and Art History is also available. Areas of specialization found in the doctoral program include theory and criticism in architecture and art, design and computation, or building technology.
Columbia University in New York, NY
For 2017, Columbia University was ranked tied for 5th among national universities by U.S. News & World Report. The Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation offers a variety of relevant programs for students who are interested in architecture.
Students can earn a Ph.D. in Architecture, a Master of Architecture, or a Master of Science in areas that include Advanced Architectural Design as well as Architecture in Urban Design. For undergraduates, there is an Introduction to Architecture summer program that confers college credits in two architecture majors offered in conjunction with Barnard College. Students can also pursue a certificate program to prepare for graduate school in the field. The first semester takes place in New York, and the second is in Paris.
Top Architecture Colleges
Here are six more excellent architecture schools:
| School Name | Location | Distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Cornell University | Ithaca, NY | Has a College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP) in New York City Center |
| Princeton University | Princeton, NJ | Has a Center for Architecture, Urbanism, and Infrastructure |
| Rice University | Houston, TX | Students can study at the Rice School of Architecture in Paris |
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | Students can access resources through the Digital Design Research Lab and the Building Simulation Group |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Blacksburg, VA | Offers an externship program for 4-year undergraduates |
| Washington University in St. Louis | St. Louis, MO | Offers a dual-degree program leading to a Master of Social Work and a Master of Architecture |
Students who want to study architecture at the undergraduate or graduate level can find excellent offerings at these and other top-ranked universities around the United States.
