As an international student, studying at the best architecture schools in the US might just be the one thing you need to navigate your career as an architect towards success.
However, studying architecture in the United States has many challenges. The biggest challenge is to find the right information.
Notwithstanding, there is no doubt that the United States is one of the most popular destinations for studying Architecture in the world.
In this article, I will try my best to consolidate everything you need to know about studying architecture in the United States, from finding schools and studying architecture in the US to living the American dream.
Table of Contents
Studying Architecture in the United States
Studying architecture in the United States is a large commitment, both financially and time-wise. The typical five-year Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) degree, will run you around $150k. Nevertheless, it is not impossible to get into architecture school or find a job as an architect without one. Besides, there are Online Psychology Courses that are Accredited. You can have a look.
Meanwhile, the United States is one of the most sought-after countries for students all over the world. It is a melting pot of cultures and offers a vibrant lifestyle to all its residents.
It also has a great education system that attracts students from around the globe. indeed, if you are looking to study architecture in the United States, you are in luck!
Architecture schools in the US offer some of the best training and education to their students. There are many different types of architecture degrees available to those willing to study this field at a higher level of education.
Online architecture courses can be found in certificate, associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs.
Students enrolled in an architecture program typically learn about building design, innovation, and sustainability.
Some of these programs also include business classes to help students develop management skills. Architectural programs also include general education requirements that offer students a well-rounded education. So, what exactly do architects do?
What exactly do architects do?
The term “architect” has its roots in ancient Greek, where the word “architekton” means master builder. The profession of architecture has evolved since then, and today it combines aspects of mathematics, physics, design, and art to create a building or structure that is both functional and aesthetically appealing.
Architecture is the art and science of designing buildings, structures, and other physical objects. Architecture is one of the most popular majors in the United States.
Architects usually have at least a bachelor’s degree in architecture.
In addition, those who want to advance to leadership positions may need a graduate degree. In some cases, they need a license from the state they work in.
The seven areas that architects must know about in order to practice:
- History and theory of architecture
- Structural systems
- Codes and regulations
- Construction methods and materials
- Mechanical and electrical systems
- Site planning and development
- Architectural practice.
Typical responsibilities of an Architect
Architects are highly trained professionals who work to design and plan structures such as buildings, bridges, and tunnels.
They create functional structures that meet predetermined requirements. Architects also take into account public safety regulations, environmental policies, and other factors.
Here are some of the responsibilities of an Architect:
- Meeting with clients to understand their needs
- Preparing models and drawings of new structures
- Making sure that building plans meet environmental regulations
- Coordinating with construction workers and other contractors during the building process.
Online Architecture Degree Coursework
As we said earlier, online Architecture degrees are available in the United States. Unfortunately, this is not part of the easiest Online Masters Degree Programs they aren’t as easy as you would like it. The coursework for an online architecture degree varies based on the type of degree earned. However, most architecture degrees require classes in design, construction, and sustainability.
The following are some sample course titles for an online architecture degree:
Building Technology I and II: These courses teach students how to use a variety of materials in the construction process.
History of Architecture I and II: These courses explore the history of buildings around the world. Students are expected to demonstrate knowledge of architectural styles. How they have influenced contemporary buildings will also be taught in this course as well.
They will also learn about the theories behind these structures and why they were created.
What you should look out for when searching for an Architecture School
If you are interested in studying architecture, you have to consider different aspects.
For example, when choosing a university, you might want to know how good is the architecture school and if it has some famous alumni.
Also, you might want to know what kind of facilities (libraries, laboratories, etc.) are available at your disposal.
Other important factors are location, tuition fees, and living costs.
Next, when choosing your future university, it is imperative that you check if it is accredited and recognized by NAAB (National Architectural Accrediting Board).
This organization evaluates all architecture programs in the United States and Canada to determine if they meet accreditation standards or not. Normally, NAAB accreditation is required for people who want to work as an architect in North America.
To find a college that offers courses in architecture. You can find these schools through the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) website.
You should also check with your state education department to make sure the school you choose is accredited by the AIA or NAAB, which are national organizations for architects, and not just some random school that doesn’t have accreditation.
Once you’ve chosen a school, you need to take the NCARB exam. This is a 3-hour test that covers topics like architectural history, design theory and practice, building codes and regulations, professional ethics and conduct, as well as other topics related to being an architect. The test costs $250 dollars and has a pass rate of about 80%.
If you fail the first time, don’t worry! There are many resources available online that can help you prepare for this test. For example, if you search for “architecture exam” on Google or Bing, you’ll find plenty of websites with study guides and practice questions.
The Best Architecture Schools in the United States
There is no single ‘best’ school for everyone because everyone has different priorities and interests when it comes to education.
By looking at what different schools offer, though, you should be able to find one that suits your needs and preferences.
If you want to study architecture in the United States, you have a range of choices available to you. However, some schools are better than others for this field of study.
We’ll look at the best architecture schools in the United States of America so that you can choose the one that is right for you.
It’s important to note that we’re not ranking each school on its overall reputation.
Instead, we’re looking at which have the most reputable architecture programs. They may not be the top-ranked universities in general but they do offer exceptional architectural education and some of their graduates have gone on to become influential architects.
Below is a table showing the 20 Best Architecture Schools in the US:
| Rankings | University | Location |
| 1 | The University of California - Berkeley | Berkeley, California |
| 2 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
| 2 | Harvard University | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
| 2 | Cornell University | Ithaca, New York |
| 3 | Columbia University | New York City |
| 3 | Princeton University | Princeton, New Jersey |
| 6 | Rice University | Houston, Texas |
| 7 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, Pennyslavia |
| 7 | Yale University | New Haven, Connecticut |
| 7 | University of Pennyslavia | Philadelphia, Pennyslavia |
| 10 | University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, Michigan |
| 10 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, California |
| 10 | Georgia Institute of Technology | Atlanta, Georgia |
| 10 | University of California, Los Angeles | Los Angeles, California |
| 14 | The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, Texas |
| 15 | Syracuse University | Syracuse, New York |
| 15 | University of Virginia | Charlottesville, Virginia |
| 15 | Stanford University | Stanford, California |
| 15 | Southern California Institute of Architecture | Los Angeles, California |
| 20 | Virginia Technology | Blacksburg, Virginia |
Top 10 Architecture Schools in the US
Here is a list of the best Architecture Schools in the United States:
- The University of California-Berkeley
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Harvard University
- Cornell University
- Columbia University
- Princeton University
- Rice University
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Yale University
- The University of Pennsylvania.
1. The University of California-Berkeley
This is the best architectural school in the United States.
In 1868, the University of California, Berkeley was founded. It is a public research institute in Berkeley that is well-known among American schools.
The curriculum at the University of California, Berkeley, combines obligatory environmental design and architectural courses with chances for a wide range of independent studies.
Their curriculum provides a thorough introduction to the field of architecture through basic courses and studies in many areas.
Architectural design and representation, architectural technology and building performance, architectural history, and society and culture are all areas where students might prepare for specialization in the discipline.
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Department of Architecture at MIT has a large corpus of research activity spread throughout its various fields.
Furthermore, the Department’s location inside MIT allows for greater depth in fields like computers, new modes of design and production, materials, structure, and energy, as well as the arts and humanities.
The Department is dedicated to the preservation of human values and the development of acceptable roles for architecture in society.
It is a place where individual creativity is encouraged and nurtured within a humanist, socially, and environmentally conscious framework of ideals.
3. Harvard University
Architecture Studies is a route within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences’ History of Art and Architecture emphasis for Harvard University students. The History of Art and Architecture and the Graduate School of Design collaborate to deliver the course.
Architecture encompasses not only the actual structures of human occupation but also the dynamic processes that define human action and experience, and it sits at the crossroads of creative vision, practical implementation, and social use.
In traditional classroom settings and “making”-based studios developed specifically for this emphasis, the study of architecture mixes technical and humanistic methods of inquiry with written and visual modes of representation.
4. Cornell University
The architectural department’s staff has created a highly structured and comprehensive program that focuses on design, as well as philosophy, history, technology, representation, and structures.
Cornell University is a privately owned research university in Ithaca, New York.
All students follow a core curriculum for the first three years of their education, which is aimed to create a strong basis for architectural education and beyond.
Students are encouraged to work across fields throughout the final four semesters, focusing on an academically demanding and speculative path of study.
Architecture, Culture, and Society; Architectural Science and Technology; History of Architecture; Architectural Analysis; and Visual Representation in Architecture are all available as concentrations in architecture.
5. Columbia University
The architecture major at Columbia University is built around a comprehensive curriculum, cutting-edge tools, and a range of activities and events that encourage design discovery, visual inquiry, and critical conversation.
Architectural design and representation, architectural technology and building performance, architectural history, and society and culture are all areas where the curriculum prepares students for specialization in the subject.
Furthermore, architecture at Columbia University combines technical and humanistic techniques of inquiry with textual and visual modes of expression in regular classroom settings as well as studios created specifically for this specialization.
6. Princeton University
The undergraduate curriculum at the School of Architecture is noted for its rigorous and interdisciplinary approach to pre-professional education.
Their program leads to an A.B. with a concentration in architecture and provides an introduction to architecture within the context of a liberal arts education.
Undergraduates study a variety of disciplines that contribute to an architect’s knowledge and vision, including architectural analysis, representation, computing, and construction technologies, in addition to architectural design and the history and theory of architecture and urbanization.
A wide academic program like this also helps students prepare for graduate school in architecture and related fields including landscape architecture, urban planning, civil engineering, art history, and the visual arts.
7. Rice University
William Marsh Rice University, sometimes known as “Rice University,” is a leading university in the United States’ upper echelon of educational institutions.
Rice University has a planned architecture program that tackles architectural challenges via research and collaborations with departments such as environmental studies, business, and engineering.
It is multidisciplinary and allows students to participate in internships with some of the greatest companies in order to get a head start on a promising career.
Students will receive unrivaled assistance and attentiveness as a result of the program.
8. Carnegie Mellon University
Architectural brilliance necessitates both thorough foundational instruction and the development of distinct specialties. Carnegie Mellon University is well-known for its status as a top-tier interdisciplinary school and as a global research organization.
Students who study architecture at CMU can specialize in a subdiscipline such as sustainable or computational design, or combine their studies with CMU’s other renowned disciplines like the humanities, sciences, business, or robotics.
The objective of Carnegie Mellon University is to provide a deep level of participation in all of its architectural disciplines. Its foundation is founded on creativity and invention, which governs the notion of inquisitiveness.
9. Yale University
The architecture major at Yale University is organized around a comprehensive curriculum, cutting-edge resources, and a range of programs and events that foster design discovery, visual inquiry, and critical conversation.
Architectural history and philosophy, urbanization and landscape, materials and technology, and structures and computing are all covered in the curriculum through design studios and labs, as well as lectures and seminars.
Numerous programs, activities, and informal events augment the curriculum, including opportunities for student travel, exhibitions of student art, and open studios.
10. University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania’s undergraduate program in architecture was founded in 2000 to provide possibilities for undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Students at the University of Pennsylvania study architecture at various levels of engagement, ranging from a Freshman Seminar to a Minor in Architecture to a Major in Architecture. Students focus on three concentrations: Design, History & Theory, and Intensive Design.
A Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a Major in Architecture was received from the School of Arts & Sciences. And the school is consistently ranked as one of the best architecture schools in the United States and abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Architecture Schools in the US
What are the characteristics of good school architecture?
A truly excellent architecture school would be self-governing: students would be active in its decision-making and production processes, and it would have no pedigree other than what is produced at the time. It would experiment throughout the territories that can only be engendered by diversity.
What is an Architecture Studies 'pre-professional' degree?
The Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies (BSAS) is awarded after a four-year pre-professional Architectural Studies program. Students who have completed a pre-professional degree can apply for advanced standing in a professional Master of Architecture (M. Arch) program.
How long does it take to get a college diploma?
A four-year pre-professional curriculum in architectural studies, the Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies. The majority of students complete their education in four years. For those with a BSAS or an equivalent degree from another program, the professional Master of Architecture degree (needed for licensure in most states) requires an extra two years.
What is the distinction between a B.Arch and an M.Arch?
The professional content criteria for a B.Arch, M.Arch, or D.Arch accredited by NAAB or CACB are substantially the same for a B.Arch, M.Arch, or D.Arch. All three degree types require general education classes. The institution determines what constitutes 'graduate-level' study.
With an M.Arch can I expect a higher salary?
In general, pay in architecture firms is determined by the level of experience, personal skill sets, and the quality of work exhibited through a portfolio review. Transcripts of grades are rarely sought.
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Conclusion
Finally, If you are looking to study architecture in the USA, you need not worry.
The above-compiled list of schools encompasses some of the best architecture schools in the United States that offer all levels of degrees, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate architecture degrees.
So, whether you are looking to learn how to design buildings, or want to learn how to become an architect, we hope this list will help you make the correct choice.