Architectural Sciences and Technology: is it worth it?
A 0–100 score blending this major’s national earnings, ROI and typical debt. How it’s scored.
National picture across 14 college programs, at a typical net price.
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
What Architectural Sciences and Technology pays
Career outlook for Architectural Sciences and Technology graduates
The job market for the occupations Architectural Sciences and Technology graduates typically enter, projected through 2034 — from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This is the demand side, complementing the IRS-verified graduate earnings above.
Top jobs for this major
| Occupation | U.S. jobs | Growth to 2034 | Median pay | Typical entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural and engineering managers | 212,500 | +3.8% | $167,740 | Bachelor's degree |
| Architectural and civil drafters | 110,500 | +4.1% | $64,280 | Associate's degree |
| Architecture teachers, postsecondary | 11,600 | +2.0% | $101,480 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections (2024–34) & the NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk. Occupation pay is the national median wage for the role — not the same as graduate earnings, which we draw from IRS records.
Architectural Sciences and Technology vs similar majors
How Architectural Sciences and Technology stacks up against the closest fields in Architecture on pay, debt, ROI and the DR Rating. The best figure in each row is highlighted.
| Architectural Sciences and Technology Architecture · this major | Real Estate Development | City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning | Architecture | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DR Rating | 71 B | 80 A | 75 B | 67 B |
| ROI verdict | Strong return | Strong return | Strong return | Strong return |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $73,875 | $138,981 | $76,705 | $70,561 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $53,845 | $98,810 | $56,633 | $49,985 |
| ROI vs cost | +239% | +851% | +273% | +208% |
| Typical debt | $36,519 | $73,699 | $35,890 | $30,247 |
| Colleges offering it | 14 | 4 | 55 | 167 |
Architectural Sciences and Technology earnings over time
National median earnings one year after graduating, by cohort year — the consistent measure available across the federal data’s history.
Best colleges for Architectural Sciences and Technology
Ranked by the ROI of this major at each college — its graduate earnings against the cost.
| # | College | Credential | Earnings (5 yr) | Median debt | 10-yr ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA | Associate's | $111,996 | $18,977 | +1,809% | Strong return |
| 2 | CUNY New York City College of Technology Brooklyn, NY | Associate's | $66,275 | $14,692 | +1,263% | Strong return |
| 3 | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, GA | Certificate | $125,345 | $58,158 | +1,053% | Strong return |
| 4 | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Lancaster, PA | Certificate | $60,685 | — | +1,012% | Strong return |
| 5 | University of Oregon Eugene, OR | Associate's | $71,494 | — | +497% | Strong return |
| 6 | Dunwoody College of Technology Minneapolis, MN | Certificate | $64,185 | $16,242 | +484% | Strong return |
| 7 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY | Associate's | $61,001 | $23,750 | +422% | Strong return |
| 8 | New York Institute of Technology Old Westbury, NY | Associate's | $68,148 | $27,000 | +323% | Strong return |
| 9 | University of Oregon Eugene, OR | Certificate | $79,368 | — | +287% | Strong return |
| 10 | Temple University Philadelphia, PA | Associate's | $62,285 | $26,500 | +162% | Strong return |
| 11 | Tuskegee University Tuskegee, AL | Associate's | $60,222 | — | +117% | Strong return |
| 12 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA | Certificate | $69,629 | $78,964 | +72% | Strong return |
| 13 | Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, GA | Associate's | $59,427 | $24,500 | +34% | Break-even |
| 14 | Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, GA | Certificate | $74,185 | $76,406 | +29% | Break-even |
Related majors
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.