Top 10 Best Architecture Schools USA

Best Architecture Schools USA

In this article we review the Top 10 Architecture Schools in the United States.

This country bills itself as the land of opportunities and was known for pushing the envelope in multiple facets of architectural technology in the 20th century. America has been home and school to many famous and influential architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright, I.M. Pei, Phillip Johnson and more.

Any talk of stagnation in the first decade of the 21st century has been put to rest thanks in part to the now established economy recovery providing the green light to many more ambitious large scale projects supported by ever improving materials and engineering practice. Even architecturally stagnant US cities (one could suggest Washington DC) are looking up with the repeal of the 1910 Height of Buildings Act (limiting structures to 12 stories) and approval of new tall buildings that would have been unthinkable only a decade ago – see The Iceberg at the foot of this review.

In this article we rank the Top 10 Architecture Schools in the United States for both undergrad and graduate programs, in order to assist you in your decision about where to study Architecture in order to one day join the ranks of the world’s top Architects.

Top 10 Best Architecture Schools in the USA 2015

#1. Cornell University

Topping the list of undergraduate architecture programs in 2015 was last years runner up Cornell University.

Ranked highly for its connections with practicing architects and the alumni network, and the continued strength of its academic program.

Corenll’s AAP Department (Art Architecture and Planning) offers a 5 year professional undergraduate program with the award of a Bachelor of Architecture B. Arch. The program is highly intensive which an emphasis on core design skills complemented by history and theory and the use of technology. The conceptual frameworks and fundamental skills of architecture are laid early in the program and students learn to communicate through analogue and digital models and drawings. The first 3 years follows a core curriculum which lays a strong foundation in architecture.

For inspiration all AAP Department students spend an entire semester of year 3 in Rome where an example of the curriculum undertaken while in Rome includes:

ARCH 3301 Architectural Analysis II: Architecture, the City, and Landscape

ARCH 3820 The Topography and Urban History of Rome in Antiquity and the Middle Ages

ARCH 3823 Urban Design, Architecture, and Art in Renaissance and Baroque Rome

and ARCH 3117 Contemporary Italian Culture

Students also have the opportunity to study at the New York City campus.

The school is consistently ranked in as one of the best undergraduate architecture schools and is accredited by the NAAB.

Pedagogy is based upon interaction in Design Studios immersing students in a collaborative design culture. Ten semesters of design studios are compulsory and are the main focus of the academic semester. Design studios immerse students in design culture and develop communication and collaboration skills.

For undergraduates, AAP’s Department of Architecture offers a five-year professional program leading to a bachelor of architecture (B.Arch.) degree.

Cornell University performed well in key attributes considered in rankings:

– Analysis & Planning #2

– IT Infrastructure #7

– Construction Methods & Materials #6

– Research & Theory #6

– Design Skills #5

– Sustainable Design Practices & Principles #9

Tuition – 2015 – 2016

Endowed Ithaca

Architecture, Art and Planning; Arts and Sciences; Engineering; Hotel Administration

Per semester (out of state) : $24,440.00

Per year (out of state) : $48,880.00

#2. California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo

Coming in 2nd place is California Polytechnic State University – SLO ‘Cali’, known for its focus on technical education and the high reputation and quality of graduates, a solid proportion of whom secure positions in private practice or go onto postgraduate education.

The school offers a Bachelor of Architecture degree accredited by the NAAB, a 5 year degree program which is a requirement for becoming a licensed architect. The program at Cali is rigorous and lab oriented balancing theoretical and pragmatic approaches. Cali also offers fourth year students the opportunity to study off campus in exchange programs with leading European and international schools including:

Florence, Italy Program (CSU IP)

Copenhagen, Denmark Program -DIS (CSU IP)

Paris Val-de-Seine, France (Exchange Program, CPIC)

DIA/Bauhaus, Germany (Exchange Program)

Canberra, Australia Session One (Exchange Program, CPIC)

The fifth year at Cali involves a project and exhibit presentation.

The program also emphasizes cross-disciplinary opportunities which Construction Management, Planning and Architectural Engineering, Landscape Architecture.

California Polytechnic State University performed well in key attributes considered in rankings:

– Analysis & Planning #6

– IT Infrastructure #5

– Construction Methods & Materials #1

– Research & Theory # not ranked in top 10

– Design Skills #10

– Sustainable Design Practices & Principles #3

Tuition – 2015 -2016

Per year (out of state) : US $24,804.00

Cali Poly Introduction Video (opens in new window)

#3. Rice University – William Marsh Rice University, commonly ‘Rice’

Coming in again at number 3 in our ranking of the best Architecture Schools in the USA is Rice University, known for its rigorous standards and the quality of its internship program with a reputation for the high quality of graduates.

Rice offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree major Architecture with students entering the program as the entry level towards a full Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch.). The B. Arch. program is an alternative to the pre professional degree path and is open to students who have been admitted as Bachelor of Arts Architecture majors and completed the foundation program over two years.

Students who are admitted to the B. Arch. are assigned work in the US and internationally with private architecture firms facilitated by school, leading to valuable networking opportunities and the potential for future collaboration and career opportunities. B.Arch. are required to complete two graduate studios and five seminar courses.

Architecture was a founding discipline at William Marsh Rice University’s establishment in 1912. The Architecture school has around 100 students in undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The school is host to visiting scholars, international academics and members of private practice from all corners of the globe.

Rice performed well in key attributes considered in rankings:

– Analysis & Planning # 11

– IT Infrastructure #14

– Construction Methods & Materials #12

– Research & Theory #10

– Design Skills #9

– Sustainable Design Practices & Principles #12

Tuition – 2015 -2016

Per year (out of state) : US $58,283

#4. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ‘Virginia Tech’ offers a full 5 year professional Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) accredited by the NAAB. All design students at Virginia Tech (Industrial, Interior, Landscape Architecture and Architecture) being their first foundation year in a common foundational program, after students move into their professional studies specializations.

The foundation year teaches students the fundamental elements of design from conceptual, visual and functional standpoints. The professional studies begin with architecture design theory and process which includes building design as it relates to human and environmental factors.

In the fourth year students have the opportunity to join off-campus programs including Extern Program which has students employed in professional practice while gaining credits towards their degree, or the Study Abroad Program which allows students to spend a year abroad studying architecture at the school’s European residency in Switzerland. Alternatively students can elect on-campus studio options.

The fifth year is independent study comparable to graduate studies intended to allow students to explore expertise within a narrower area of architecture. Students then complete a final project.