Studying architecture can open doors to a rewarding and creative career, but how do you know you’re choosing the right school when it’s such a major decision?
At Remitly, we know how important clear and trustworthy information is in guiding your educational journey and choices. So we’ve compiled this guide to popular colleges for architecture majors, highlighting some programs known for strong mentorship and career-ready degrees.
What makes a strong architecture program?
When looking for your ideal architecture program, there are certain characteristics for which you should definitely be on the look-out:
NAAB accreditation
If your goal is to become a licensed architect in the US, make sure your program is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).
NAAB accreditation is usually required to:
- Take the Architect Registration Exam (ARE).
- Earn state licensure after graduation.
- Apply to many internships and professional roles.
A five-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) is always an NAAB-accredited degree. While in school, you’ll be qualified to intern for three years, and you’ll typically be able to take the ARE immediately after finishing your bachelor’s. Since you’ll primarily take architecture credits, though, changing majors could make it harder to transfer credits.
A four-year Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in architecture offers more opportunities to explore other subjects. However, going that route may require you to pursue a two- to three-year Master of Architecture (M.Arch) after completing your bachelor’s to become licensed.
Having said that, not every institution insists you pursue an architectural bachelor’s. Many allow you to get your bachelor’s degree and then later do an architecture master’s.
Design studios, fabrication labs, and field experience
Hands-on learning is the heart of architecture education. Look for programs that offer:
- Design studios—work on real and hypothetical projects, and build models.
- Fabrication labs—access tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and woodworking equipment.
- Field experience—connect your academic work to the real world with site visits, local design-build projects, or community partnerships.
Internships and study-abroad options
The best programs connect what you learn in class with the global architecture profession.
Many top schools have internship or co-op programs with local architectural firms, city planning offices, or construction companies. These opportunities offer valuable experience, professional references, and maybe even jobs after graduation, if you impress them.
Study abroad programs let you explore architecture in other parts of the world. Whether you’re studying ancient urban temples or cutting-edge urban design, these programs expand your cultural perspective and deepen your design approach.
Ask prospective schools not only if they offer these programs, but if students actually participate and if they’re included in tuition.
Portfolio development and creative mentorship
As an architecture student, your design portfolio is one of your greatest assets when you apply to schools, internships, grad programs, and later, real jobs.
Strong programs help you develop your portfolio from day one, offering resources like portfolio-building classes and feedback from experienced faculty and practicing architects.
If a school has a strong studio culture, students and professors regularly critique and support each other’s work. A good mentorship culture can help you grow creatively and stay motivated.
Top US colleges for architecture majors
If you’re aiming for a highly competitive program with a strong reputation, these institutions consistently rank among the best architecture schools in the US:
Cornell University
- Location and campus Ithaca, New York—suburban/rural
- Program type and length 5-year B.Arch, 3.5-year M.Arch
- Portfolio required? Yes
If you’re a high-achieving student, the only B.Arch at an Ivy League school—and a top three US architecture program overall—may be appealing to you. In addition to your time in Ithaca, you’ll spend time studying at Cornell’s NYC campus and at the Cornell’s campus in Rome. The studios are open 24/7 and offer digital fabrication labs, robotic construction labs, and advanced model-making tools.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Location and campus Cambridge, Massachusetts—urban.
- Program type and length 4-year B.S./B.A in Architecture Sciences, 2-year M.Arch.
- Portfolio required? No for undergraduate, yes for graduates.
MIT’s architecture programs blend traditional architecture with emerging technology. In addition to design, you’ll learn about sustainability and computation, and collaborate with engineers and computer scientists. The approach is theoretical and studio-focused, with low student-to-faculty ratios, but bear in mind that MIT’s undergrad degree isn’t NAAB accredited.
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
- Location and campus Providence, Rhode Island—urban/art-school atmosphere
- Program type and length 5-year B.Arch, 3-year M.Arch
- Portfolio required? Yes
If you’re looking for an intensely artistic focus, you’ll probably do well at RISD. Since it’s a top art and design college, the B.Arch program is rooted in fine arts, and you mightl also have the chance to study sculpture, drawing, textiles, and digital media. Students spend more time in the studio than in most architecture schools, and also get dual access to classes at nearby Brown University—an Ivy league institution.
University of Southern California (USC)
- Location and campus Los Angeles, California—urban
- Program type and length 5-year B.Arch, 4-year B.S. Architecture + Inventive Technologies, 2-year M.Arch
- Portfolio required? Yes
USC’s architecture programs were among the first to incorporate the IPAL initiative, designed to get you on the way to licensure while you’re still studying. Also, the USC’s programs are STEM-designated, which means you may be eligible to stay in the US for two years post-graduation if you’re an overseas student, under the OPT scheme.
Pratt Institute
- Location and campus Brooklyn, New York—urban
- Program type and length 5-year B.Arch, 3-year M.Arch
- Portfolio required? Yes
As another top art and design school, Pratt emphasizes experiential learning, with extensive faculty mentoring, critical feedback, and internship opportunities built into the programs. With New York City’s architectural firms, as well as numerous studios, galleries, and unique urban infrastructure at hand, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to be inspired, and gain work experience while studying.
Affordable and accessible architecture programs
The institutions we’ve mentioned are among the best in the US, so they’re not cheap. But great architectural education doesn’t have to come with a sky-high price tag. There are other programs that combine strong academics and hands-on experience but carry lower tuition fees and/or flexible study options.
University of Texas at Austin
- Location and campus Austin, Texas—urban
- Program type and length 5-year B.Arch, 2-year M.Arch
- Portfolio required? No for the bachelor’s, yes for the master’s.
UT Austin is consistently highly ranked but provide their programs at a state-school cost, so it’s particularly competitively priced if you happen to live in Texas. International students pay more, but it’s still less than the top private schools. UT’s professional residency program, built directly into the curriculum, lets you spend a semester working full-time at a leading architecture firm, even as an undergrad.
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
- Location and campus San Luis Obispo, California—suburban
- Program type and length 5-year B.Arch, non-professional MS Arch
- Portfolio required? No for freshmen, yes for graduates.
Like the rest of Cal Poly, the architecture program is based on a “learn by doing” approach, with intensive and practical experience from day one. It’s known for producing technically skilled and detail-oriented designers, and you’ll have access to high-tech fabrication labs. One important thing to remember, though, is that Cal Poly’s master’s is not NAAB accredited.
University of Florida
- Location and campus Gainesville, FL—suburban
- Program type and length 4-year B.S. Design, 2-year M.Arch
- Portfolio required? No for freshmen
While UF doesn’t offer a 5-year B.Arch, its design bachelor’s qualifies you for entry into any NAAB-accredited, two-year master’s in architecture in the US or Canada. And if it’s a master’s you’re looking for, they have a string of specialized architectural programs, such as historic preservation or sustainable architecture.
City College of New York (CCNY)
- Location and campus Harlem, New York City—urban
- Program type and length 5-year B.Arch, 3-year M.Arch
- Portfolio required? Yes, plus creative challenge
As the only public institution in New York City with NAAB-accredited professional degrees, CCNY offers a more affordable and accessible but still top-tier architecture education, with paid internships built into the programs. The school’s JEDI (Justice, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion) initiative emphasizes architecture as a tool for social quality.
Drexel University
- Location and campus Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—urban
- Program type and length 5-year B.Arch with 6–7-year flexible options, including evening-study programs)
- Portfolio required? Yes
If you want to get to work straight away, Drexel University offers plenty of opportunities and strong industry connections. Like USC, Drexel offers the Integrated Path to Architectural License (IPAL), allowing you to complete your Architectural Experience Program (AXP) and your ARE while still pursuing your B.Arch. It’s an accelerated path to licensure.
Many students study for the first two years and then work part- or full-time in local firms for the remaining years of the degree, taking the classes in the evenings. This means some are able to start paying off their degree expenses even before graduation.
Community college and transfer options
As you can see from the numbers above, if you decide to pursue architecture, it’s a commitment of several years. You’ll be in school studying for longer than in most other fields. Because of that, many aspiring architects choose to get their start at a community college before transferring to a traditional university to complete their professional degree.
Transfer paths offer you lower tuition rates, improved admissions chances, smaller class sizes, and greater flexibility.
In a 2+3 program, you’d typically spend two years at a community college taking general education or foundational design classes, then transfer to a university architecture program for three years for your bachelor’s in architecture.
In a 2+4 program, you’d usually spend two years at community college, then transfer to a university to complete a four-year program—either a pre-professional B.S. in Architecture or a B.Arch. Not every university offers this to transfer students, though.
But overall, there are absolutely loads of options, all over the US, for NAAB-accredited programs. So there are plenty of ways to go about it if you’re dreaming about a career in architecture.
No matter your background or goals, there’s an architecture program for you in the US. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have the budget for top-ranked design school and it has to be an affordable community college, then a transfer—the right choice can set you on your way.
FAQs
Do I need a master’s degree to become a licensed architect?
Not necessarily. A 5-year, NAAB-accredited B.Arch program qualifies you for licensure. However, a 4-year pre-professional degree (like a B.A. or B.S. in architecture), usually needs an additional 2–3 year M.Arch afterward to qualify for licensure.
Can I study architecture if I’m not good at math or drawing?
Yes, but basic math and spatial skills really help. Most programs include math and drawing instruction. Strong problem-solving, creativity, and communication skills are often more important than technical talent—at least at the start.
How important is a portfolio, and what should I include if I’ve never taken architecture classes?
Many programs require a portfolio, even from beginners. Include any creative work, like sketches, photography, sculpture, digital art, or design projects. Schools want to see originality and visual thinking.
What’s the difference between studying architecture at an art school vs. a university?
Art schools focus on visual expression and studio work. Universities may offer broad academics and tech-based approaches. Your ideal fit depends on your goals.