Architecture is the perfect combination of art and engineering. If you’re into the making or building beautiful yet practical things then architecture is for you. Architecture touches every element of our day-to-day life, it comes in many forms, from the building you live in, to your favorite couch in the living room, and architecture is everywhere. So if you’re planning to study architecture, in the USA, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’re going to go through the top-ranked academic institutions for architecture in the USA according to The World University Ranking 2021 and accredited by NAAB (National Architectural Accrediting Board).
1. Stanford University
You must have heard of Stanford University for its scientific experiments, especially the Stanford Prison Experiment. But what you wouldn’t have heard is that this private institute is a NAAB (National Architectural Accredited Board) accredited institute, and has a top-class program for architecture. Besides just educating the students in architectural concepts they also help the students prepare in related fields such as civil engineering and environmental engineering, business, and law. The program is intended for students wishing to explore diverse career options instead of being confined to only architecture.
- Courses Offered by Stanford University: Architectural Design
- Tuition Fee: $73,964 per year
- Duration of course: 4 years
- Cost of Living On Campus: $15,112 per year
- Other Expenses: $2925 per year
- Student Population: 16,520
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology located in Cambridge, USA is a public university popularly known as MIT. It is one of the most well-known universities in the global academic community as well as in media, by being a part of a lot of movies. The institute’s program allows students to experience and experiment with the state of the art technology and interact with innovative and engaging activities and workshops which enriches the students with the knowledge and experiential learning they need to be first-class architects.
- Courses Offered by MIT: Master of Architecture (M.Arch)
- Tuition Fee: $53,450 per year
- Other Fees: $340 per year
- Duration of Course: 2 years
- Cost of Living: $27,600 per year(Housing)
- Student Population: 12,144
3. Harvard University
Harvard University in Cambridge still stands on the top of the list of the best 5 institutions in the United States. The titan of the academic world stands as a leader even in the architectural world. Harvard University takes a different approach for its master of architecture program by dividing it into two programs and giving them individually a dense and rigorous range of activities to keep the students engaged and develop a mastery of their intellectual craft.
Courses Offered by Harvard University:
Master of Architecture I
- Tuition Fee: $53,420
- Duration of course: 1 year
- Cost of Living: $16700
Master of Architecture II
- Tuition Fee: $24,004
- Duration of Course: 1 year
- Cost of Living: $16,700
Student Population: 38,934
4. University of California Berkeley
The University of California Berkeley is located in the city of Berkeley on the East Side of San Francisco Bay. The university provides an ever-growing position in the application of digital–design media, they are the leaders in the field of architecture as the faculty and the program provides students with a lot of flexibility to take electives and choose different paths that interest them. The university has lots of design studios that help students understand the current situation of demands and needs of modern architecture.
- Courses Offered by University of California Berkeley: Master of Architecture (M.Arch)
- Tuition Fee: $31,128 per year
- Other Costs: $2802 per year
- Duration of Course: 2 years
- Cost of Living: $17,564
- Student Population: 43,204
5. Princeton University
Princeton University located in New Jersey is a highly selective institute. Very few students are selected but the ones who are selected are given a very thorough and well-paced academic experience. They are given so many activities, studios, lecture series, and projects that help mold them to be the architects that the world needs.
- Courses Offered by Princeton University: Master of Architecture (M.Arch)
- Tuition Fee: $54,070 per year
- Other Fees: $4470 per year
- Duration of Course: 2 years
- Cost of Living: $13,800 per year
- Student Population: 8483
6. Yale University
Yale University another familiar name amongst the international academic audience, located in Connecticut this is an independent private university that also only accepts the cream of the top of students. The university has a compact and well-integrated program for architectural education where students can expect the best of the best to teach them and for studios and workshops and projects that will give them great opportunities to learn and grow as an architect.
Courses Offered by Yale University:
Master of Architecture I
- Tuition Fee: $43,300 per year
- Other Fees: $26,293 per year
- Duration of Course: 3 years
- Cost of Living: $22,381 per year (Housing and Food)
Master of Architecture II
- Tuition Fee: $43,300 per year
- Other Fees: $26,293 per year
- Duration of Course: 2 years
- Cost of Living: $22,381 per year (Housing and Food)
Student Population: 13,613
7. University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Los Angeles, or UCLA is a public institution in Westwood Los Angeles, the admission of students into programs is not based just on grade but on student’s overall performance. UCLA offers students a rich cultural background with the master faculty to help the students expose and understand their own unique talents in the
context of architecture.
- Courses Offered by UCLA: Master of Architecture (M.Arch)
- Tuition Fee: $23,687 per year
- Duration of Course: 3 years
- Cost of Living: On-Campus- $17,599 per year; Off-Campus- $15,240 per year
- Student Population: 46,298
8. Columbia University
Columbia University located in New York has orchestrated its academic program to emphasize less on what architecture is and more on what it could be, with cutting-edge technological innovation and disciplinary expertise being integrated into the program to help teach the architects of the future.
- Courses Offered by Columbia University: Master of Architecture (M.Arch)
- Tuition Fee: $58,980 per year
- Other Fees: $1135 per year
- Duration of Course: 3 years
- Living Costs: $22800 per year (Housing and Food)
- Student Population: 33,413
9. University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania also known as Upenn is a private institute is a historical institute that maintains its reputation as a top leading university in the US. It provides a solid program made for the students to be well recognized in the architectural community. The institution also provides opportunities for international studies for students during the off-season of the semester.
- Courses Offered by University of Pennsylvania: Master of Architecture (M.Arch)
- Tuition Fee: $55,566 per year
- Duration of Course: 3 years
- Cost of Living: $14,502 per year
- Student Population: 28,522
10. Cornell University
Cornell University located in New York is one of the most trusted and oldest universities in the United States, the University has a global footprint and has a network of alumni and partners. The students of the University have access to fantastic resources of world-class standards. The faculty is diverse who passes on their knowledge and expertise to the students to help students be well rounded in their exposure to architecture and related fields which will further enhance their sensitivity to their design.
- Courses Offered by Cornell University: Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch)
- Tuition Fee: $56,550 per year
- Other Fees: $1850 per year
- Duration of Course: 5 years
- Cost of Living: $9152 per year
- Student Population: 24,027
60 minutes of Duration
180 Questions
Instant Report
4 Dimensions
500+ Career Options
1M+ Test Taken
