Top Low-Cost Master’s in Architecture Degree Programs

masters in architecture

This guide lists some of the top low-cost master’s in architecture degrees offered by accredited colleges and universities throughout the country. A master’s degree yields several professional benefits.

The Bureau for Labor Statistics (BLS) links education to higher wages and lower unemployment rates. Master’s degree-holders earned a higher weekly 2019 median income ($1,497) than workers with a bachelor’s degree ($1,248) or an associate ($887). Master-trained practitioners also enjoyed lower unemployment rates than bachelor’s and associate degree-holders (2%, 2.2%, and 2.7%, respectively). The data clearly shows that higher education exerts a positive impact on a professional’s earning capacity and employment stability. 

The BLS reports a 2020 median salary of $82,320 for architects, which is twice as much as the average median salary of $41,950 for all other workers. However, a master’s degree in the field can qualify architects for leadership or upper management positions that come with greater career options and higher salaries. For instance, architectural managers earned a 2020 income of $149,530.

Students can explore the schools on the list below to find out more about the top low-cost master’s in architecture degrees. Although tuition and fees do not make up the entire cost of attendance, low-tuition programs can make degrees more affordable.

Methodology

To calculate our ranking of the best and most affordable master’s in architecture programs, we applied the rating and ranking methodology noted on our methodology page. In cases of a tie, the more affordable program was awarded the higher ranking.


Affordable Master’s in Architecture Degrees

#1 — Prairie View A&M University

Prairie View, TX

  • Tuition: $3,913.95 per year (five-year guaranteed rate for resident students); $8,510.50 per year (five-year guaranteed rate for non-resident students)
  • Delivery Format: Classroom

Students looking for top low-cost master’s in architecture degrees should explore the master of architecture program at Prairie View A & M University. The program considers applicants from different academic backgrounds. The length of time to earn the degree and the number of required credits to graduate depend on the student’s educational history. For example, enrollees who completed the university’s pre-professional track in architecture require only 36 credits to earn the master’s degree. Students with a non-architecture degree may require up to 117 undergraduate and graduate credits to complete the program.

Regardless of a student’s background, however, the program requires the completion of an internship experience prior to graduation. They must also submit a comprehensive project to earn the degree.

#2 — Texas A&M University

College Station, TX; Galveston, TX

  • Tuition: $8,026-$8,800 (resident students); $18,332 (non-resident students)
  • Delivery Format: Classroom

Texas A&M University offers a master of architecture degree accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. Comprising 55 credits, the program encourages enrollees to specialize in one of the department’s established focus areas. Alternatively, students can craft an individualized plan of study that supports their educational and career objectives by enrolling in a cluster of related coursework in their area of professional interest.

Students can choose to earn a certificate enroute to the master’s degree in one of four fields: facility management, health systems and design, sustainable urbanism, or historic preservation. As the culminating activity of the program, candidates must submit a final study design project that demonstrates mastery of the program’s key learning objectives.

#3 — University of Missouri

Columbia, MO

  • Tuition: $20,764 for the program
  • Delivery Format: Classroom and online programs available

The University of Missouri offers a master of arts and a master of science degree in architectural studies that students can pursue on campus or online. Each degree requires 30 credits. The program offers two areas of emphasis: environment and behavior studies and digital media studies.

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, and those who plan to pursue the digital media studies emphasis must also submit their latest GRE scores. The program does not require environment and behavior studies applicants to submit GRE scores. MS candidates must write a thesis to earn the degree; the MA program does not require a thesis for completion.

#4 — Florida International University

Miami, FL

  • Tuition: $4,101 per semester (resident students); $9,015 per semester (non-resident students)
  • Delivery Format: Classroom

FIU’s master of architecture degree is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board and is among the top low-cost master’s in architecture degrees in this list. Students with or without a pre-professional degree in architecture can apply to the program. The length of time to earn the degree and the number of credits required to graduate depends on a student’s educational background upon matriculation.

The curriculum includes coursework in a broad range of subjects such as environmental systems, integrated comprehensive design, and sustainable practices in architecture. Students must complete a culminating experience project prior to graduation. They can either complete a master’s project or write a thesis to earn the degree.

#5 — University of Texas at San Antonio

San Antonio, TX

  • Tuition: $9,048 per year (resident students); $26,564 (non-resident students)
  • Delivery Format: Classroom

The master of science in architecture at the University of Texas at San Antonio requires 33 credits and takes 1.5-2 years to complete. A research-oriented and STEM-designated program, the MS prepares graduates for careers in teaching, consulting, or research as well as for doctoral studies.

The program offers two concentration areas: historic preservation and sustainable architecture. Students can also focus their studies on any field within the expertise of the faculty including architectural history and theory and in urban studies. Learners can pursue a thesis or non-thesis program of study, and the non-thesis track requires an internship prior to graduation.

#6 — University of Houston

Houston, TX

  • Tuition: $5,054 per semester for nine credits (resident students); $9,626 per semester for nine credits (non-resident students)
  • Delivery Format: Classroom

The University of Houston offers a master of science in architecture through the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design. The program requires 36 credits and is developed for students with a degree in architecture, urban planning, or a closely related design field. Students can select from four degree concentrations: media and fabrication, sustainable design, sustainable urban systems, and urban design.

A research-oriented degree, the MS in architecture supports a flexible curriculum that allows students to develop an individualized program of study. Most students take one year, or two semesters, to graduate from the program. Candidates must complete a master project to earn the degree.

#7 — University of Idaho

Moscow, ID

  • Tuition: $5,633 per semester (full-time resident students); $626 per credit (part-time resident students); $15,251 per semester (full-time non-resident students); $1,695 per credit (part-time non-resident students)
  • Delivery Format: Classroom

The University of Idaho offers the state’s only master of architecture degree accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board.

The program supports three degree tracks. U of I students with a bachelor of science in architecture can pursue the seamless degree path that allows them to earn a bachelor’s and a master’s in architecture in 5-6 years. Holders of a BS in architecture from another college or university can pursue the 62-credit master’s program that can be completed in two years. Graduates of a non-design program can apply to the 3-plus degree path comprising 97 credits.

The program requires the completion of a design project to be eligible for graduation.

#8 — California Polytechnic University

San Luis Obispo, CA

  • Tuition: $11,628 per year (resident students); $17,964 per year (non-resident students)
  • Delivery Format: Classroom

The master of science in architecture at Cal Poly consists of 45 credits that can take 1.5-2 years to complete. Students can focus their studies on the following areas: urban architecture and design, innovative materials practice, sustainability and resilient design, circular communities, and interdisciplinary building design.

The MS degree requires candidates to complete a research project to be eligible for graduation. Students work with their mentors to identify a research area that supports their professional interests and career goals.

The MS program does not currently hold accreditation from the National Architectural Accrediting Board. Graduates who plan to apply for a license in architecture will need to meet additional educational requirements.

#9 — Arizona State University

Tempe, AZ

  • Tuition: $11,720 (resident students); $23,544 (non-resident students); $543-$1,343 per credit for online students
  • Delivery Format: Classroom and online programs available

ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts offers a master of architecture on campus and online. The degree requires 48 credits and requires applicants to have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in architecture accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board can pursue the two-year pathway if accepted to the institute. Those with a bachelor’s degree in any other field will be considered for the three-year pathway.

The curriculum includes coursework in architectural theory, advanced technology, and research. Students must complete a final design studio project with a written component.

#10 — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL

  • Tuition: $13,176 per year (resident students); $28,464 per year (non-resident students)
  • Delivery Format: Classroom

The two-year master of architecture program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign requires 62 credits and is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. The program welcomes applications from graduates with a four-year architectural degree from an accredited institution. Applicants must show a minimum 3.0 GPA to be considered for the program.

Students can choose from three concentration areas: building performance, health and wellbeing, and urbanism. The curriculum includes coursework in planning and design of structural systems, architectural control systems, and theories of architecture.

The school gives students the option of pursuing a joint degree in urban planning, computer science, and civil and environmental engineering with their master of architecture.

#11 — Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX

  • Tuition: $8,359 per year (resident students); $15,721 per year (non-resident students)
  • Delivery Format: Classroom

Texas Tech University offers a master of architecture degree comprising 60 credits. The program meets the educational requirement for architectural licensure in the Lone Star State. Students with a bachelor’s in architectural studies from TTU and an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 automatically qualify for the program. TTU also accepts applications from graduates of a non-architecture program; however, they have to submit their transcript for evaluation.

The curriculum includes coursework in architecture design and research, advanced technology, and contemporary architectural theory. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and pass a comprehensive exam to be eligible for the gradution.

#12 — University of Georgia

Athens, GA

  • Tuition: $436 per credit (resident students); $1,109 per credit (non-resident students)
  • Delivery Format: Classroom

Students accepted to the master of landscape architecture at the University of Georgia can follow an accelerated or a three-year track, depending on their educational background at the start of the program. Students with an accredited bachelor’s in architecture or a related design field can pursue the accelerated program, which can take 1-2 years to complete. The College of Environment and Design often places students with a non-architecture degree in the three-year track.

The curriculum includes classes in landscape ecology, plant communities, and contemporary landscape architecture theory. Students can pursue a thesis or non-thesis program of study. The program also includes four endowed lecture series that bring industry-renowned scholars to the campus for discussions and extended meetings with students.

#13 — University of South Florida

Tampa, FL

  • Tuition: $7,840 per year (resident students); $15,864 per year (non-resident students)
  • Delivery Format: Classroom

USF’s School of Architecture and Community Design offers one of the top low-cost master’s in architecture degrees. The program supports students with different educational backgrounds and is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board.

Most students with a non-architectural degree complete 108 credits that can be spread over eight, 10, or 11 semesters. Enrollees with an associate degree in architecture complete a 96-credit program after transferring 12 credits from their previous college. Students with a bachelor’s pre-professional degree in architecture complete a 54-credit program.

The program requires applicants to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and show completion of undergraduate coursework in physics, calculus, and computer-aided design.

#14 — NewSchool of Architecture and Design

San Diego, CA

  • Tuition: $10,257 (quarterly rate for 12-18 credits)
  • Delivery Format: Classroom

NewSchool of Architecture and Design offers a master of architecture degree accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. Students with a bachelor’s in architecture pursue a 90 quarter-credit program, while non-architecture degree-holders must earn 150 quarter credits.

NewSchool participates in the Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure initiative sponsored by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. The program allows students to complete licensure requirements while still pursuing their master’s in the field.

The core curriculum includes courses in environmental science, materials and methods, and architectural history. After completing core credit requirements, learnersmust write a thesis to be eligible for graduation.

#15 — Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, VA

  • Tuition: $783.25 per credit (resident students); $1,578.50 per credit (non-resident students)
  • Delivery Format: Classroom

Virginia Tech offers a master of architecture degree that welcomes applications from degree-holders with varying educational backgrounds. Graduates of an undergraduate program in architecture complete a 54-credit, two-year master’s degree. Those with degrees in other disciplines must enroll in an additional 30 credits.

All students enroll in core coursework that cover topics such as advanced environmental controls, building materials and construction, and research in environmental design. The program culminates in a thesis, which students must present and defend before an advisory committee. Virginia Tech’s master of architecture program is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board.


Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What will you learn?

A: A master’s in architecture program degree blends the study of architecture, design, technology, theory, coding, architecture history and theory, law, and economics. The interdisciplinary nature of the subject broadens students’ comprehension of the subject, helps them become experts and prepare them for professional accreditation. Graduates of most schools are qualified for the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) certification.

Most programs have the option to choose a subdiscipline so that students can tailor their degree per their career goals. These include environmental design, landscape architecture, interior design, and regional and urban planning. A master’s degree prepares them to excel with their creative designs, stay ahead of the competition.

As they deepen their foundational knowledge, students also strengthen their soft skills like communication skills and critical thinking skills through an in-depth analysis of architectural problems. The design studio is an integral part of the curriculum; they offer a hands-on practical experience which students can use in the real world.

Architect professionals must be registered in the United States. Graduate students can appear for their licensing exams, which vary from state to state. The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards is the professional licensing association for architects in America.

Q: Is a portfolio important?

A: Yes, especially for design studio-based programs. The portfolio demonstrates a student’s creative abilities and helps reviewers determine his or her potential to perform successfully in the field. Students who do not have one are encouraged to take a design course in the summer and prepare a portfolio for architectural studies.

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