Architectural Engineering: degree ROI, salary & best colleges
Architectural Engineering graduates earn a median $89,406 four years after finishing — $41,046/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. At a typical $16,906/yr net price ($67,624 over four years), that pays back in about 1.6 years. Federal data pools 30 bachelor's programs graduating roughly 813 students a year. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026 · our math.)
| # | College | State | Grad earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auburn University | AL | $97,759 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | PA | $94,483 |
| 3 | The University of Texas at Austin | TX | $93,710 |
| 4 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | CA | $92,767 |
| 5 | University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | OH | $92,687 |
| 6 | Kansas State University | KS | $91,336 |
| 7 | University of Colorado Boulder | CO | $89,797 |
| 8 | Milwaukee School of Engineering | WI | $88,756 |
| 9 | Drexel University | PA | $85,839 |
| 10 | Missouri University of Science and Technology | MO | $85,754 |
| 11 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute | MA | $85,112 |
| 12 | University of Nebraska at Omaha | NE | $84,938 |
College Scorecard field-of-study (2026), program-level median earnings for this CIP · our ranking.
How we compute this. Earnings are the national median for graduates of this field measured 1 and 4 years after completion (Scorecard field-of-study, bachelor's). Premium = 4-year earnings − the $48,360 high-school baseline. Payback = a representative 4-year net cost (median college net price × 4) ÷ premium. Field medians blend every school — a specific program can pay far more or less. Full method on the methodology page; the field ranking is on ROI by major.