Top Architecture Schools
The Design Futures Council and the journal DesignIntelligence, each year produce a ranking of the architecture schools that best prepare students for professional practice. A poll was conducted on the country’s leading firms and organizations that hire architecture school graduates and collectively they employ over 100,000 individuals.
Top 10 Architecture Schools:
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- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Cornell University
- Syracuse University
- California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
- University of Cincinnati
- University of Texas Austin
- Carnegie Mellon
- Kansas State University
- Pennsylvania State University
- Pratt Institute
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Here are some questions to consider when making a short list of architecture schools:
Accreditation
Is the program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) or the Canadian Architectural Board (CACB)?
If not, what is the school’s accreditation status (candidate status, not seeking accreditation etc.)? Can I be reasonably assured that the school will be accredited during the time I am in school?
If the school is accredited, what is the current term of accreditation?
Degree Options
Is the pre-professional degree one that will allow me to apply to the professional architectural degree program at this school or other schools?
How many years will this pre-professional degree normally require?
If I decide not to go on with the professional program or the graduate professional degree program, what are my career alternatives with the pre-professional degree?
Curriculum Options
Are there special offerings at this school that allow me to focus on a particular interest such as design, computers, energy, sustainability, preservation, etc.?
What is the average number of students in the design studios and lecture classes?
Who will teach my classes? Full-time faculty? Part-time? Graduate students?
Are there enrichment opportunities such as foreign or off-campus study ?
Use this school ranking as a guide. Each student will have different personal and academic needs which should be considered when choosing the right school.
For more information check out:
Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) student section is for high school students and others considering a career in architecture and offers a guide to architecture schools.
National Architectural Accrediting Board this site is a wealth of information for students considering a career in architecture.
Click here to see the full list of schools and background on the methodology.
