12 Best Architecture Schools in the US

As a child, did you build tall buildings and pretty apartments with your Lego set? Don't be shy in accepting it; architecture is pretty cool. Take it from Ted Mosbey, "The Architect". Being an Architect is not a simple job, you're responsible for the building and designs you create, so why not choose one of the Best Architecture Schools in the US to make sure your future designs not only make the residents happy but also keep them safe? So, here's a list of the best architecture schools in the US. Take your pick!

What is an Architecture Degree?

It's a good idea to grasp what studying architecture as a major in college would hold before moving on to googling for the best schools for architecture in the US Architecture combines art, mathematics, science and logistics in the planning and construction of structures. A degree in Architecture will teach you how to accurately sketch up building ideas by hand or by using computer tools. Students who major in architecture in college might pick between a four-year or five-year Bachelor's programme. Students will graduate from the five-year curriculum with a degree and be prepared to enter the profession. Make sure to have your US student visa ready.

What should you consider when looking for the top architecture schools in the US?

As a student, it's your job to research and fact-check the University to that you'll be applying for further education. So to be on the safer side, here are a few things you must consider before finalizing the top architecture schools in the US:

• Campus size  
• Presence of graduates 
• Student-to-faculty ratio
• Campus culture
• Class size
• Programme-specific opportunities

12 Best Architecture Schools in the US

Now that we have discussed what an architecture degree is, you may be asking, "where can I find the best Architecture schools in US?" There are many architecture schools in the US offering architecture degrees around the country, but the best school may vary with respect to all the students. To help you compare all your options, we have come up with a list of a few of the top Architecture schools in the US:  

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT)

Location: 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States

Course Fee: 54,051 EUR

MIT is a world-renowned university whose goal is to expand knowledge and train future scientists, engineers, and scholars in these and other fields so that they can best serve their country and the rest of the globe in the twenty-first century making it one of the best Architecture schools in the US. Students who enrol in the MIT architecture department receive a thorough education of the built environment. The University want to provide students with the knowledge and creativity that helps them to be the best in this field. Each year, roughly 250 students enrol in the master's programme.

Courses: Architecture, Architecture Design Studio II

2. Rice University

Location: 6100 Main St, Houston, TX 77005, United States

Course Fee: 33,177

Rice University aspires to transformative research, unparalleled teaching, and contributions to the welfare of the world. Rice University is a renowned research university with a special dedication to undergraduate education. Despite being situated in the huge Texas metropolis of Houston, Rice University's architecture programme is the smallest in the nation. This can be a fantastic fit if you're seeking the Best Architecture Schools in the US for individualized attention. The architecture programme at Rice University provides its students with a "preceptorship." which means that students will complete a paid internship with a renowned architecture company in the US or overseas during their fourth and fifth years.

Courses: BA in Architecture, MArch

3. Harvard University

Location: Cambridge, MA, United States

Course Fee: 51,620 

It's no surprise that Harvard is in the best Architecture schools in the US. The mission of Harvard University is to cultivate leaders who create a change in the world through excellence in teaching, learning, and research. Their Architecture programmes train students in the best way possible to make them future-ready. In recent news, Harvard researchers have finally uncovered how Roman Architecture has survived for centuries. This proves that the researchers at Harvard University not only focus on future architecture but also are eager to study and learn from the past.  

Courses: MArch, Architecture II, Landscape Architecture (MLA), MArch+MLA

4. The University Of California, Berkeley (UCB)

Location: Berkeley, CA, United States

Fee: 22,472

If you wish to be a prolific designer like Julia Morgan, who helped define what Californian architecture is today, you should consider studying architecture in the University of California at Berkeley. Here, students seeking their first certified professional degree receive a complete and demanding education leading to the practice of architecture through the University of California, Berkeley's architecture department. Depending on their previous training and experience, students can select from a range of paths within a two- to three-year curriculum. With an institution like this, there's no doubt this is one of the best architecture schools in the US.

Courses: M.Sc Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning

5. Columbia University

Location: New York, NY 10027, United States

Fee: 58,734

In addition to being one of the most significant research institutions in the world, Columbia University offers undergraduate and graduate students a unique and prestigious learning environment in a variety of academic and professional subjects which makes it one of the best architecture schools in the US. The Columbia University architecture programme is run in cooperation with Barnard College, a partner institution. With an emphasis on architecture, students will finish a liberal arts education. Moreover, many students go on to graduate programmes. Even though it's just fiction, for all the HIMYM fanatics, Ted Mosbey was once a professor here who taught Architecture 101.

Courses: M.Arch, M.Sc in Advanced Architectural Design, M.Sc in Architecture and Urban Design

6. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Location: Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States

Fee: 31,202

UCLA is a truly global university that offers a diverse range of opportunities. It is multicultural, forward-thinking, and located in one of the best cities in the world. The results are evident in the rankings, with the University consistently being included among the best universities in the world. This is due to the University's abundant resources, illustrious reputation, and, most importantly, its strong commitment to making a genuine impact in the world. With a prime location, the UCLA School of Arts and Architecture focuses on urban design. This programme places emphasis on studio culture. Many top architecture listings include the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture as one of the top architecture schools in the US

Courses: M.A. in Architecture, M.Sc in Architecture and Urban Design

7. Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)

Location: North Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30332, United States

Fee: 19,442 

Leading research institution, Georgia Institute of Technology is dedicated to enhancing human welfare via cutting-edge science and technology. The goal of this best architecture school in the US is to produce leaders who will progress technology and enhance the Architecture industry. Its mission and strategic plan are dedicated to educating their students to build a better future. 

Courses: M.Sc in Architecture, MArch, MArch/MSc in Architecture and City and Regional Planning

8. Cornell University

Location: Ithaca, NY 14850, United States

Fee: 27,493 

Development of energy-efficient semiconductor technologies and materials- That's what Cornell is doing, leading a $34 million research facility. Cornell university has embraced the revolutionary spirit that established the University and supported one another in following unconventional paths to bring about change on a local and global level. One of the longest-running art programmes in the country is ready to celebrate its 150th anniversary: Cornell University's College of Architecture, Art, and Planning. Undoubtedly, one of the best architecture schools in the US.

Courses: MArch, M.Sc Advanced Architectural Design, M.Sc Architectural Science, Landscape Architecture

9. University of Pennsylvania 

Location: Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States

Fee: 53,082 

UPenn is in the top 10% of the country for architecture. More specifically, it was ranked #5 out of 74 schools by College Factual. It is also ranked #1 in Pennsylvania. This is proof enough for it to be mentioned in the best architecture schools in the US. The University of Pennsylvania's architecture programme provides a thorough and demanding curriculum that equips graduates for the entire spectrum of activities in the Architecture profession.

Courses: B.A. in Architecture: Design, MArch, M.Sc in Architecture

10. Yale University

Location: New Haven, CT 06520, United States

Fee: 50,769 

Since the institution's establishment in 1701, Yale has been committed to advancing and igniting creativity, and protecting knowledge for future generations. Yale College is a small learning environment that offers training in the liberal arts and sciences to all undergraduates. The Yale architecture programme blends components of an architectural school with a liberal arts education. After completing this Architecture programme, graduates have to apply for a license in order to work as architects. With this scale of education, its safe to say that Yale university is one of the best architecture schools in the US.

Courses: BA in architecture, MArch

11. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Location: 500 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States

Fee: 49,232 

The academic vigour of Michigan delivers distinction in all academic fields and around the world. Due to the exceptional quality of their 19 schools and colleges, faculty with a global reputation, and departments with 250 degree programmes, the university of Michigan is regarded as a leader in higher education. The University offer multiple architecture degrees for students to opt. So unsurprisingly, University of Michigan is one of the best architecture schools in the US.

Courses: BArch, M.Sc in Architecture Design and Research, MSc in Architecture, Landscape Architecture

12. New York University

Location: New York, NY 10012, United States

Fee: 56,876 

Since its establishment in 1831, NYU has been a leader in higher education, adopting an urban identity and professional focus. The programme for urban design and architecture studies (UDAS) offers an integrative analytical approach to these fields. Both a comprehensive, humanistic view of the city's physical features and pre-professional training for aspiring architects, city planners, public administrators, and authors on urban issues are provided by this curriculum. Even though NewYork University is the last on this list, it surely isn't the least, making it one of the best architecture schools in the US.

Courses: M.A. in Historical and Substantial Architecture

Best Architecture schools according to States

California

• University of Southern California
• University of California-Berkeley
• Southern California Institute of Architecture 
• California Polytechnic State University
• University of California- Los Angeles

Texas

• Rice University
• University of Texas - Austin
• Texas A&M University 
• Texas Tech University
• University of Houston

New York

• Cornell University
• Columbia University 
• Pratt Institute
• The Cooper Union 
• Syracuse University

Career opportunities after Masters of Architecture

• Architect
• Architectural technologist
• Interior and spatial designer
• Building surveyor
• Town planner
• Production designer
• Historic buildings inspector
• Structural engineer

It is tough to make a definitive conclusion on the Best architecture schools in the US because different schools excel in different areas and what may be the best fit for one student may not be the best fit for another. Make sure to do your own research and decide what is most important to you in an architecture program before making a decision on which school to attend. If you can't afford studying in the US, there are various scholarships in USA that can help you achieve your dream of studying at one of the Best Architecture Schools in the US or any field of study. 

As a student, if you’re left with a lot of time on your hand and don't know what to do, here’s how to make the most of your time in the US.