Top Ten Architecture Colleges
Architecture is the design of functional and economical buildings and structures for human use and enjoyment. Architecture degree programs are available at the bachelor's, master's and post-professional level, but vary in terms of duration and professional designations. The following are highly ranked architecture colleges accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is a requirement for professional architects in most states.
Ten Top Colleges with Architecture Programs
1. University of Texas at Austin
Founded in 1883, the University of Texas at Austin is a large, research-based university that serves over 51,000 students. It placed 45th among national universities rankings in the 2011 edition of U.S. News and World Report.
The University of Texas at Austin has a strong program in architecture that offers several undergraduate degrees such as a 5-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.), a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Architectural Studies (in which an Architecture History track is offered). Additional degree programs include a 6-year dual professional B.Arch./B.S. in Architectural Studies program and a 5-year B.Arch./Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Plan II dual degree program. Graduate degrees offered include two professional Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) degree programs. Several interdisciplinary graduate programs are offered through the school including sustainable design, urban design and historic preservation, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Architectural History and Preservation program.
2. Yale University in New Haven, CT
Placing third among best colleges in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in 2011, Yale University is also ranked as the second-best architecture school in the country. Also accredited by the NAAB, the Yale School of Architecture offers several undergraduate and graduate architecture programs, as well as three joint degree programs.
At the undergraduate level, a B.A. in Architecture is offered. Graduate students can pursue a professional M.Arch, a post-professional M.Arch., a Master of Environmental Design and a Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture. Joint master's degree programs are also offered that merge the study of architecture with business, environmental design or environmental studies.
3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) in Cambridge, MA
M.I.T. is highly ranked by U.S. News and World Report in many areas, including placing seventh in the national universities ranking and number one in the best undergraduate engineering programs ranking in 2011. The School of Architecture has several degree programs in architecture, including a general undergraduate program and graduate programs. The four graduate programs include a M.Arch., a Master of Science (M.S) in Architecture Studies with five concentrations, a M.S. in Building Technology and a M.S. in Art, Culture and Technology. Doctorate degree programs are also offered in three areas that include theory and criticism in architecture and art; design and computation; and building technology.
List of Ten Good Architecture Colleges
| School Name | Distinction | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia University | Master of Science (M.S.) in Advanced Architectural Design program | New York, NY |
| Cornell University | College of Architecture, Art and Planning (AAP) in New York City Center | Ithaca, NY |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Five unique areas of focus offered for the M.S. in Architecture Studies | Cambridge, MA |
| Princeton University | Center for Architecture, Urbanism and Infrastructure | Princeton, NJ |
| Rice University | The Rice School of Architecture Paris in the Rice School Architectural Global program | Houston, TX |
| University of Pennsylvania | Building Simulation Group | Philadelphia, PA |
| University of Texas at Austin | Wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs in architecture | Austin, TX |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | The Externship Program for fourth-year undergraduates | Blacksburg, VA |
| Washington University in St. Louis | The Master of Social Work/Master of Architecture dual-degree program | St. Louis, MO |
| Yale University | Joint M.Arch./MBA program | New Haven, CT |
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- Iowa (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Iowa State University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Architecture
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- Michigan (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Michigan include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
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- Architecture
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- Florida (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of South Florida include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
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- Architecture
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School locations:
- Texas (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Texas Tech University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
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