Overview
There has been an increase in the demand of professionals in the field of architecture. As the technology advances the need for qualified workers changes accordingly. With good colleges and programs one can build the principal skills to make a dream career in this field. The scope in this field has expanded over time and attracted a lot of students to make a career in architecture. This article covers top colleges to study Architectural Engineering in USA, course curriculum, eligibility criteria, jobs and more essential information.
| University/College | Courses Available | Yearly Fees (in INR) |
| Northeastern University |
| 42.0 lakhs |
| Arizona State University |
| 25.0 lakhs |
| Arizona State University |
| 42.0 lakhs |
| Arizona State University |
| 24.7 lakhs |
| Texas A&M University |
| 26.6 lakhs |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| 39.8 lakhs |
| Stanford University |
| 62.6 lakhs |
| University of Illinois at Chicago |
| 37.3 lakhs |
| New York University |
| 38.8 lakhs |
| University of Texas |
| 47.2 lakhs |
| Georgia Institute of Technology |
| 39.7 lakhs |
| University of Southern California |
| 58.3 lakhs |
| University of California |
| 30.6 lakhs |
Admission Eligibility for Bachelors in Architecture Colleges in USA
However, all the colleges have different eligibility criteria for their architecture programs but there are some basic qualifications which must be fulfilled.
- A strong Academic Area
- Letter of Recommendation
- SAT score: Average 400 for overall test
- ACT score: Average between 25-36
Admission Requirements for Bachelors in Architecture Colleges in USA
Once you are sure that you fulfill the eligibility criteria there are certain documents or tests required to apply for an Architecture College in the USA.
- Academic Records: 10th and 12th grade qualifying certificate
- Proof of proficiency in English: Average score between 46 to 59 (TOEFL) and 6.5 and more (IELTS)
- A statement of purpose
Course-Curriculum of a Bachelors in Architecture Program in USA
The course structure for an Architecture program varies from university to university. The curriculum is usually divided into basic sciences and foundational engineering subjects: the initial semesters, specialisation subjects combined with lab sessions and design studio sessions in the following semesters.
The subjects included in the course-curriculum are aimed to impart both theoretical and practical knowledge on the nuances of architectural design and construction.
You can expect the following basic course structure from architectural colleges in USA:
| Semester I | Semester II |
| Engineering Mathematics | Basic Electronics Engineering |
| Professional Communication Skills | Engineering thermodynamics |
| Fundamental Architecture | Chemistry Lab |
| Engineering Physics | Engineering Chemistry |
| Engineering Mechanics | Fundamental Architecture Studio |
| Engineering Mechanics Lab | Building Structure |
| Engineering Physics Lab | Engineering Maths |
| Computer Programming (Theory+Lab) | Basic Electronics Engineering (theory+Lab) |
| Semester III | Semester IV |
| Surveying (Theory+Practical) | Structural Analysis |
| Mechanics of Solid | Surveying |
| Fluid Systems | Geotechnical Systems |
| Climatology | History of Architecture |
| History of Architecture | Design Studio |
| Fluid Systems Lab | Strength of Material Lab |
| Building Construction | Building Construction |
| Semester V | Semester VI |
| Solid Mechanics | Working Drawings |
| Interior Architecture and Space Programming | Concrete Structures |
| Steel Structures | Architectural Design Studio: Functionally Complex Buildings |
| Building Construction | Professional Electives |
| Concrete Structures | Theory of Architecture |
| RCC Structures | Housing |
| Semester VII | Semester VIII |
| Water Resources Engineering | Practical Viva Voice |
| Matrix Methods of Structural Analysis | Project Work |
| Introduction to Urban Design | Industrial Management |
| Professional Electives | |
| Dissertation | |
| Estimation, Costing and Valuation |
Cost of a Bachelors in Architecture In USA
Tuition Fees -
A bachelors of Architecture in the USA is usually for 4 years with 8 descriptive semesters. The average tuition fees for undergraduate architecture courses ranges between 42,000 USD to 59,000 USD. This cost might differ according to the choice of university (public or private).
Other Regular Expenses -
Following are the regular expenditures in daily life which differ in different areas in the USA.
| Item | Expense Range (Monthly) |
| Rent of apartment | 1000 to 2000 USD |
| Meals | 30 to 40 USD (one meal) |
| Transportation | 100 to 300 USD |
| Personal Expenses | 300 to 600 USD |
| Health Insurance | 450 |
Scholarships Available in Architecture Colleges in USA
Studying abroad is a little difficult because of the huge amount of finances required. However, there are various scholarships provided to international students in the USA.
Some of the scholarships for Indian students who wish to pursue an architectural degree are:
Tata Scholarship for Cornell University -
The Tata education and development trust established a 25 million USD endowment with Cornell University to fund outstanding Indian students pursuing undergraduate studies. It supports 20 scholars each year.
Eligibility:
- Must be an Indian citizen
- Must have completed secondary school in India
- Must have been accepted in one of the Cornell’s University UG program
- Should be eligible for a need based scholarship
Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships -
The largest funded private scholarship program, Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships, sponsors several types of scholarships.
| Scholarship | Award |
| Academic Year Ambassadorial Scholarship | Awards of 25,000 USD |
| Multi-year Ambassadorial Scholarships | Awards of 12000 USD |
| Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarships | Awards of 12000 to 19000 USD |
Eligibility:
- Citizen of a country in which rotary clubs are present
- Completed two years of college level coursework or its equivalent
- Initial application must be made through rotary clubs
Other Scholarships for Undergraduate Applicants -
| Scholarship | Award Offered | No. of Scholars |
| Self-score International Student Scholarship | 5000 USD | 6 |
| Chevron Scholarship | 2000 USD | 2 |
| Westerns Union Foundations Global Scholarship Program | 2500 USD | 100 |
| Global Students Scholarships | 1000 USD | 1 |
| Asian Women In Business | 25000 USD | Not Fixed |
| Ivy Parker Memorial Scholarship | 2000 USD | Not Fixed |
| RD Sethna Loan Scholarship | 130 USD | Not Fixed |
Jobs & Salaries: Scope of Architecture In USA
An architect has a wide range of options for career growth in both the private and government sector.
Government Organisations for Architectural Professionals:
| Public Works Department | Nation Building Organisation | National Institute of Urban Affairs |
| Hindustan Prefab Limited | Archaeological Department | Hindustan Aeronautics Limited |
| Public Service Commission | Urban Development Cooperation | Ministry of Defence |
| City Development Corporation | Department of Railways | Housing Boards |
Private Organisations for Architectural Professionals:
| Arcop Associates | HBA International | Skets Studio | Sleek International |
| Greenply Industries | Hafele India | C.P Kukreja Associates | L&T |
| DLF | Jindals | IMAXE | Somaya & Kalappa Consultants. |
Top Jobs and Salary Range for Architectural Professionals:
| Jobs Roles | Average Annual Salary (in USD) |
| Architectural Engineer | 47,000 to 130,000 |
| Architectural Historian | 43,000 to 90,000 |
| Art Director | 50,000 to 150,000 |
| Landscape Architect | 40,000 to 110,000 |
Mostly, architects choose to opt for jobs which include responsibilities such as construction design, coordinating with construction processes, finalysing projects, construction of residential as well as commercial buildings etc. Apart from that they can work as Civil Engineer, Land Developer and Structural Engineer also.
Q&A
Q. Which is the cheapest university in the USA for Architectural Engineering?
A. The cheapest Architectural engineering program is offered by a few universities in the USA including University of Texas, Austin; Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg; California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo; University of California, Berkeley.
Q. Which is the best architecture university in the USA?
A. Some of the best universities to study architecture in the USA include University of California, Berkeley; Columbia University; University of California, Los Angeles; Georgia Institute of Technology and many more.
Q. How much does it cost to study architecture in the USA?
A. The cost of pursuing a bachelors in architectural engineering in the USA is likely to cost between 100,000 USD to 180,000 USD.
Q. What is the average salary after graduation in architecture in the USA?
A. The average salary ranges according to the work experience of students. For a graduate with less than 1 year of experience, the average salary is 50,000 USD. Furthermore, for a graduate with 1 - 4 years of experience, the average salary is 60,000 USD.
Q. What is the scope of Architecture in the USA?
A. Generally, architects are highly respectable professionals in the society. The projected growth rate of architects in the USA is around 8% till 2028 while that in other countries is still around 5%. Thus there will be a lot of opportunities in this field for the next few years.
Q. What to do after pursuing a bachelor's in Architectural Engineering in the USA?
A. After completing your bachelor's in Architecture engineering you can either choose to go for a masters degree or take up a job. The USA has some of the top universities for masters in architecture. Also, there are many public and private companies hiring architecture graduates.
