Sign Up
Sign Up
ic S/general/checkmark circled Thanks for subscribing! Be on the lookout for our next newsletter.
ic S/general/checkmark circled
Saved to My Favorites. View My Favorites
Lists / Best Colleges for Architecture

Best Colleges for Architecture

Created by College Confidential

The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) is an agency that accredits architectural degrees given by U.S. Universities. The NAAB was established in 1940 and is the oldest architectural accreditation agency in the United States. Currently there are 123 learning institutions that offers NAAB accredited degrees, 57 of which offer a Bachelor of Architecture.

The following list includes 20 of the top schools that offer NAAB-Accredited Bachelor’s degrees. More information and a full list of all NAAB-Accredited programs including schools that offer a Master of Architecture and Doctor of Architecture can be found at NAAB.org.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
    Blacksburg, VA • 4-Year, Public
    In-State
    $15,478
    Out-of-State
    $36,090
    Acceptance Rate57%

    • Virginia Tech’s School of Architecture and Design is a top ranked program known for pushing boundaries through hands-on learning. The Bachelor of Architecture is a five-year program that progresses students through foundational courses, core courses, and to advanced professional requirements.

    The University of Texas at Austin

  • The University of Texas at Austin
    Austin, TX • 4-Year, Public
    In-State
    $11,758
    Out-of-State
    $41,070
    Acceptance Rate31%

    • University of Texas at Austin’s Bachelor of Architecture degree has been NAAB accredited since 1945/46. The program consists of 167 credit hours taken over five years. B. Arch. students can also participate in one of two dual degree programs with either a Bachelor of Science in in Architectural Engineering or a Bachelor of Arts.

    Auburn University

  • Auburn University
    Auburn, AL • 4-Year, Public
    In-State
    $12,176
    Out-of-State
    $32,960
    Acceptance Rate44%

    • Auburn University’s School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape Architecture offers several undergraduate programs including architecture, interior architecture, landscape architecture, industrial design, and more. The Bachelor of Architecture program is a five-year program. Auburn is ranked as one of the top Architecture undergraduate programs in the country for planning and landscape architecture.

    University of Southern California

  • University of Southern California
    Los Angeles, CA • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $68,237
    Out-of-State
    $68,237
    Acceptance Rate13%

    • University of Southern California’s Bachelor of Architecture program is a five-year, 160 undergraduate credit hour program. In addition to the bachelor’s program, USC also has a pre-professional Master of Architecture degree (plus 2 years) and a non-preprofessional Master of Architecture degree (plus 3 years).

    Penn State - University Park

  • Penn State - University Park
    University Park, PA • 4-Year, Public
    In-State
    $20,221
    Out-of-State
    $40,175
    Acceptance Rate55%

    • Pennsylvania State University’s Bachelor of Architecture is ranked as one of the top architecture programs in the United States. The program consists of 123 credit hours including 45 general education credits. Students can get involved in several different architecture-based student groups, add a related minor, and study abroad in Rome, Copenhagen, or Korea and Japan.

    Rhode Island School of Design

  • Rhode Island School of Design
    Providence, RI • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $59,760
    Out-of-State
    $59,760
    Acceptance Rate17%

    • Rhode Island School of Design is known for its breadth and depth class ratios. The Bachelor of Architecture program at RISD has been NAAB accredited since 1968/69 and includes a strong humanities-based education along with its professional architecture curriculum. In their final year, students will complete an intensive degree project.

    Rice University

  • Rice University
    Houston, TX • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $58,128
    Out-of-State
    $58,128
    Acceptance Rate9%

    • Rice University’s Bachelor of Architecture degree has been NAAB accredited since 1964/65. The B. Arch program is a top ranked program that consists of two degrees. After the first four years of study, students will earn a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture. Then, after two more years, students will earn a Bachelor of Architecture. The Rice Architecture Preceptorship program places B. Arch. students into a job during their final two years of study.

    California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

  • California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
    San Luis Obispo, CA • 4-Year, Public
    In-State
    $12,204
    Out-of-State
    $29,364
    Acceptance Rate30%

    • California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo offers a Bachelor of Architecture through the College of Architecture & Environmental Design. The bachelor’s program is a five-year program that emphasizes a “learn by doing” method.

    California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

  • In-State
    $7,438
    Out-of-State
    $19,318
    Acceptance Rate55%

    • California State Polytechnic University – Pomona has been an NAAB accredited university since 1981/82. Their Bachelor of Architecture program consists of 246 quarter undergraduate credit hours. Cal Poly Pomona also has a Master of Architecture degree program.

    Illinois Institute of Technology

  • Illinois Institute of Technology
    Chicago, IL • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $51,763
    Out-of-State
    $51,763
    Acceptance Rate66%

    • The Bachelor of Architecture program at Illinois Institute of Technology is one of the top-ranked architecture programs in the United States. The B.Arch. degree is a five-year program in which students learn from award-winning architects, engineers, and scholars. Additionally, the university offers a Bachelor/Master of Architecture accelerated program in which students can complete their bachelor’s and master’s degrees together to graduate with a Master of Architecture in six years.

    University of Notre Dame

  • University of Notre Dame
    Notre Dame, IN • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $62,693
    Out-of-State
    $62,693
    Acceptance Rate13%

    • University of Notre Dame’s Bachelor of Architecture is offered through the university’s School of Architecture. The five-year program is unique for its special third year experience in which students spend the entire year in Rome studying urban and classical architecture. Notre Dame also offers an accelerated program in which bachelor’s students can complete 90 graduate credits to complete their Masters. Additionally, there is a pre-professional Master of Architecture.

    Tulane University

  • Tulane University
    New Orleans, LA • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $58,666
    Out-of-State
    $58,666
    Acceptance Rate11%

    • Tulane University’s Bachelor of Architecture is a five-year program that is known for being well balanced with liberal arts studies. In addition to the B.Arch., Tulane offers a Master of Architecture through either a 3.5 year or 2-year track.

    Boston Architectural College

  • Boston Architectural College
    Boston, MA • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $29,072
    Out-of-State
    $29,072
    Acceptance Rate5%

    • Boston Architectural College’s bachelor’s program has been NAAB accredited since 1979/80. The Bachelor of Architecture program is 11 semesters long and is known for partnering with over 350 firms that hire students to work during their studies. BAC also has a Master of Architecture program that requires an undergrad degree, 90 credits, and 3,000 practice hours.

    Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

  • In-State
    $46,820
    Out-of-State
    $46,820
    Acceptance Rate13%

    • The Cooper Union has a Bachelor of Architecture degree which is five-year program. The program is a total of 160 undergraduate credit hours which includes design for all years, structures for four years, and ends with a thesis.

    Cornell University

  • Cornell University
    Ithaca, NY • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $66,014
    Out-of-State
    $66,014
    Acceptance Rate7%

    • Cornell University’s Bachelor of Architecture program is consistently ranked as one of the top architecture programs in the country. The curriculum includes three years of foundational classes and two years of focused study. Students can concentrate in Architecture, Culture, and Society; Architectural Science and Technology; History of Architecture; Architectural Analysis; and Visual Representation in Architecture. Additionally, students will spend a semester in Rome.

    Pratt Institute

  • Pratt Institute
    Brooklyn, NY • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $59,683
    Out-of-State
    $59,683
    Acceptance Rate45%

    • Pratt Institute’s Bachelor of Architecture program is ranked as one of the top ten programs in the United States. The program is a total of 170 credits including three years of professional preparation, general education, and electives in the School of Liberal Arts.

    Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Troy, NY • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $61,884
    Out-of-State
    $61,884
    Acceptance Rate64%

    • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Bachelor of Architecture program has been NAAB accredited since 1945/46. The B. Arch. degree is a five-year program with an extensive study abroad program. Students often spend a semester in Italy, India, China or Latin America. Rensselaer also has a Master of Architecture program.

    Syracuse University

  • Syracuse University
    Syracuse, NY • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $63,061
    Out-of-State
    $63,061
    Acceptance Rate52%

    • Syracuse University’s Bachelor of Architecture program has been NAAB accredited since 1945/46. The B. Arch. is a 162 undergraduate credit hours with a curriculum that includes introductory design and representation, technique, off-campus learning experiences, advanced studios, and specialized design projects. Most students spend a semester abroad in Italy, London, NYC, or Asia.

    University of Oregon

  • University of Oregon
    Eugene, OR • 4-Year, Public
    In-State
    $14,895
    Out-of-State
    $41,338
    Acceptance Rate86%

    • The Bachelor of Architecture at the University of Oregon has been NAAB accredited since 1945/46. The program consists of 31 quarter credit hours completed over five years. Credits are divided between general education courses, non-studio subject architecture courses, and architectural design studio courses.

    Carnegie Mellon University

  • Carnegie Mellon University
    Pittsburgh, PA • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $63,274
    Out-of-State
    $63,274
    Acceptance Rate11%

    • Carnegie Mellon University has a Bachelor of Architecture program and a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture program. The Bachelor of Architecture degree is NAAB accredited and has been since 1945/46. During the five-year program students will take 10 studio courses along with core architecture essentials. The program allows for specialization in architectural robotics, urbanism, or sustainable systems through the Advanced Synthesis Option Studios. Students can also minor in related topics such as Architectural Design Fabrication, Architectural history, and more.

    Get a student loan that goes beyond tuition.

    Ascent offers cosigned and non-cosigned student loans with exclusive benefits that set students up for success.

    Get Started!

    More from CC Community

    See All
    Created by Cadence_Zhang

    List of Colleges I Plan To Apply To
    13 Colleges
    Created by College Confidential

    Best Colleges for International Students
    10 Colleges
    Created by College Confidential

    Best Colleges for Computer Science
    13 Colleges
    Created by College Confidential

    Best Pre-Med Schools
    10 Colleges