Best US Undergraduate Architecture Colleges and Schools
A 3d visualization of a modern apartment living room with a black leather sofaBest US Undergraduate Architecture Colleges and Schools

Becoming a professional architect may require proper education to learn everything about architecture and its elements. However, choosing the perfect college or school that will provide adequate knowledge may be overwhelming.

You are probably wondering how to become an architect and what some of the best schools or colleges you can apply to are, and we are here to help. The institutions below will help you reach your goal of becoming an architect.

1. Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania is one of the highest-ranked universities in the US regarding architecture. This implies that you will be ready to pursue your architecture career as soon as you graduate.

There are various architecture programs at Carnegie Mellon University; you should choose the aspect of architecture that interests you most.

2. Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University in St. Louis provides everyone with academic knowledge, no matter its students’ background. Because of that, it offers various financial solutions that can help you pay off your architecture education.

As for the rank of this university regarding its architecture program, you can find it in the top 25 universities in the US.

3. California Polytechnic State University

This university might be your best option if you want to establish yourself in the world of celebrities and popularity. Architects who have graduated from California Polytechnic State University have a 99% employment rate.

Moreover, many prominent companies have partnerships with this university; you can attend many activities organized by the university and find your dream job while studying architecture.

4. Yale University

This Ivy League university will allow you to get professional knowledge about architecture. While attending Yale, you will be able to explore the vast wilderness of architectural discoveries and have the potential to become one of the best architects in the world.

Although the acceptance rate is only 14%, Yale is known to sculpt skillful and professional architects and academic citizens.

5. Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

Located in New York, Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art has a long tradition of hosting future architects. This union is one of the best places for learning and practicing architecture skills and developing coherent knowledge about other art forms.

Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is ranked one of the best schools for architecture in the United States.

6. Princeton University

Princeton University in New Jersey is one of the most popular choices for future architects.

Its architecture school explores some of the most successful architects worldwide while providing professional assistance and practice. You will not only learn about architecture but also have a chance to use your knowledge on practical examples.

7. Cornell University

With one of the most respected architecture programs in the United States, Cornell University is among the highest-ranked universities for future architects.

The department of architecture at this university will teach you about architecture in general, enable you to expand your critical thinking, and help you think innovatively and creatively. This university has birthed some of the most successful architects since its establishment.

8. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley is an extension of the University of California, and it is a university that will give you the most chances to show what you have learned. Through its architecture program, you can practice each week and create something new each time. The University will also provide you with various platforms you can use to exercise your architectural skills.

The acceptance rate is 17.5%, which implies that you will be one of the best architects in the United States.

9. Virginia Tech

Every year, Virginia Tech gets an award for being one of the best architecture schools across the states. It has a more modern view of architecture, enabling you to keep up with all the latest trends and implement them into your projects.

Virginia Tech will provide up-to-date data about architectural elements such as interior, exterior, landscape, etc. You will be able to find a job quickly if you attend this school since various partners cooperate with Virginia Tech’s staff.

10. Georgia Institute of Technology

If you want to be able to make your conclusions and bring your opinions to the world of architecture, the Georgia Institute of Technology might be the perfect place for you.

This school’s teaching method focuses on you being independent and using your critical thinking to create your projects. You will get to examine existing and invent new rules of architecture. This school will broaden your horizons and help you develop professional architecture skills.

11. Illinois Institute of Technology

Illinois Institute of Technology offers architecture programs that are to the point – nothing less and nothing more than you need. The carefully-picked literature will enable you to develop your architecture skills and focus on what is genuinely crucial.

You will be able to produce high-quality projects that breathe precision and coherence to everyone who sees them. Moreover, each year, you will be able to exhibit your work on some of the school’s special occasions.

12. Harvard University

Another Ivy League university, Harvard, is one of the highest-ranked architecture schools in the United States. It will teach you everything there is to know about architecture, especially the Harvard architecture model invented at this university.

You will also learn how to implement the Harvard architecture model on new designs and create a never-before-seen project. You will inevitably boost your creativity and critical thinking by attending this university.

13. Pratt Institute

The Pratt Institute offers several options for architecture, such as architecture and urban design, real estate practice, planning, and many more. By attending this institute, you can choose and focus on one of the branches of architecture and perfect your skills in that area.

This institute aims to teach through discussions rather than specific literature. You can discuss the rules of architecture and acquire knowledge through conversation rather than merely reading about it.

Conclusion

People who have chosen architecture as their career path may be considering attending architecture schools in the United States. Since many schools have architecture programs, you may wonder which school is the best for you.

We have presented some of the highest-ranked architecture schools in the US that will provide you with sufficient knowledge about architecture. They will prepare you for applying that knowledge to real-life situations and perfect your architecture skills.