100 Best Architecture schools in the United States

Updated: March 02, 2025

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in Architecture. A graph of 1.86M citations received by 57.7K academic papers made by 208 universities in the United States was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

Please note that our approach to subject rankings is based on scientific outputs and heavily biased on art-related topics towards institutions with computer science research profiles.

1. Carnegie Mellon University

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Architecture

#1 in North America

#1 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $32,964

2. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Architecture

#2 in North America

#2 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $25,951
Enrollment: 45,699

3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Architecture

#3 in North America

#3 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $21,519

4. Stanford University

California | Stanford

For Architecture

#4 in North America

#4 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,998

5. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia | Atlanta

For Architecture

#5 in North America

#5 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1430
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 73%

6. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Architecture

#6 in North America

#9 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 66%

7. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Architecture

#7 in North America

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1495
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $41,496

8. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Architecture

#8 in North America

#11 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Receiving Aid: 71%
Average Aid: $21,533
Enrollment: 36,582

9. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Architecture

#9 in North America

#14 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 61%

10. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Architecture

#11 in North America

#20 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Receiving Aid: 55%
Average Aid: $14,390
Enrollment: 55,620

11. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Architecture

#12 in North America

#21 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Receiving Aid: 70%
Average Aid: $24,176
Enrollment: 42,376

12. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Architecture

#13 in North America

#23 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 60%
Average Aid: $22,441
Enrollment: 46,678

13. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Architecture

#14 in North America

#28 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 66%

14. University of Texas at Austin

For Architecture

#15 in North America

#31 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

15. University of Cincinnati

Ohio | Cincinnati

For Architecture

#16 in North America

#34 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1255
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 87%

16. Princeton University

New Jersey | Princeton

For Architecture

#17 in North America

#36 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $19,811

17. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Architecture

#19 in North America

#41 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,455

18. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Architecture

#20 in North America

#44 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1435
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 60%

19. Columbia University

New York State | New York City

For Architecture

#21 in North America

#51 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $20,869

20. Purdue University

Indiana | West Lafayette

For Architecture

#22 in North America

#52 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

21. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Architecture

#23 in North America

#54 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1445
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 65%

22. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Architecture

#25 in North America

#56 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $11,992
Enrollment: 79,593

23. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Architecture

#26 in North America

#62 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,900

24. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia | Blacksburg

For Architecture

#27 in North America

#72 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

25. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Architecture

#28 in North America

#73 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 98%

26. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Architecture

#29 in North America

#74 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 92%

27. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Massachusetts | Amherst

For Architecture

#30 in North America

#77 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

28. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Architecture

#31 in North America

#78 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1525
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $30,730

29. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Architecture

#32 in North America

#82 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,017

30. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Architecture

#33 in North America

#83 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 44%

31. George Mason University

Virginia | Fairfax

For Architecture

#34 in North America

#84 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

32. California Institute of Technology

California | Pasadena

For Architecture

#35 in North America

#87 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Net Price: $23,397
Receiving Aid: 68%
Average Aid: $60,201

33. University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado | Boulder

For Architecture

#36 in North America

#95 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 66%

34. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina | Raleigh

For Architecture

#37 in North America

#97 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1380
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 68%

35. Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas | College Station

For Architecture

#39 in North America

#105 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 77%

36. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Architecture

#40 in North America

#106 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 81%

37. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Architecture

#41 in North America

#108 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,044

38. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Architecture

#42 in North America

#109 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $27,979

39. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Architecture

#44 in North America

#113 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 58%

40. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Architecture

#47 in North America

#120 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1289
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 79%

41. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Architecture

#48 in North America

#128 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

42. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Architecture

#49 in North America

#130 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1555
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,844

43. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Architecture

#50 in North America

#135 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 71%

44. University of California - Santa Barbara

California | Santa Barbara

For Architecture

#51 in North America

#137 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 28%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $21,732
Enrollment: 26,068

45. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Architecture

#52 in North America

#139 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 75%

46. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Architecture

#55 in North America

#149 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,422

47. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Architecture

#56 in North America

#150 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $27,551

48. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Architecture

#57 in North America

#156 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,689

49. University of Notre Dame

Indiana | Notre Dame

For Architecture

#59 in North America

#162 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1490
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $29,083

50. Iowa State University

Iowa State | Ames

For Architecture

#60 in North America

#174 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 89%

51. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Architecture

#61 in North America

#175 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,440

52. Old Dominion University

Virginia | Norfolk

For Architecture

#62 in North America

#181 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average SAT: 1200
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 94%

53. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Architecture

#63 in North America

#194 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $21,258
Enrollment: 39,707

54. Northeastern University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Architecture

#66 in North America

#214 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1505
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $34,770

55. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Architecture

#67 in North America

#216 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1525
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $23,341

56. Berkeley College - Woodland Park

New Jersey | Woodland Park

For Architecture

#68 in North America

#227 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Net Price: $20,068
Receiving Aid: 98%
Average Aid: $18,293

57. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

New York State | Troy

For Architecture

#70 in North America

#245 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $35,940

58. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Architecture

#71 in North America

#246 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 80%

59. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Architecture

#72 in North America

#250 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 97%

60. Naval Postgraduate School

California | Monterey

For Architecture

#73 in North America

#255 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 23%
Enrollment: 2,600
Male:Female: 79:21
Founded: 1909

61. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Architecture

#75 in North America

#266 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 86%

62. University of Rochester

New York State | Rochester

For Architecture

#76 in North America

#271 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 36%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $40,900

63. University of Delaware

Delaware | Newark

For Architecture

#79 in North America

#286 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 92%

64. Drexel University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Architecture

#80 in North America

#288 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $42,342

65. University of Georgia

Georgia | Athens

For Architecture

#81 in North America

#296 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 84%

66. Colorado State University - Fort Collins

Colorado | Fort Collins

For Architecture

#82 in North America

#300 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 74%
Average Aid: $10,554
Enrollment: 33,500

67. Brown University

Rhode Island | Providence

For Architecture

#83 in North America

#301 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,608

68. University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Nebraska | Lincoln

For Architecture

#84 in North America

#303 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1210
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

69. Brigham Young University - Provo

For Architecture

#85 in North America

#307 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $14,643

70. George Washington University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Architecture

#86 in North America

#322 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $45,466

71. Stony Brook University

New York State | Stony Brook

For Architecture

#87 in North America

#323 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 89%

72. University of Texas at Arlington

Texas | Arlington

For Architecture

#88 in North America

#324 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1110
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 91%

73. Florida International University

Florida | Miami

For Architecture

#89 in North America

#325 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Average SAT: 1155
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 92%

74. Syracuse University

New York State | Syracuse

For Architecture

#91 in North America

#339 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1345
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $51,520

75. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Architecture

#92 in North America

#340 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1170
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 93%

76. University of Texas at Dallas

Texas | Richardson

For Architecture

#93 in North America

#342 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 72%

77. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Architecture

#94 in North America

#345 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 88%

78. Stevens Institute of Technology

New Jersey | Hoboken

For Architecture

#95 in North America

#346 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1435
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $43,665

79. Michigan Technological University

Michigan | Houghton

For Architecture

#96 in North America

#355 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 98%

80. Rice University

Texas | Houston

For Architecture

#97 in North America

#358 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $20,587

81. Washington State University

Washington | Pullman

For Architecture

#98 in North America

#359 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Receiving Aid: 91%
Average Aid: $10,370
Enrollment: 26,490

82. Case Western Reserve University

Ohio | Cleveland

For Architecture

#99 in North America

#370 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $41,351

83. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Architecture

#100 in North America

#380 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

84. University of California - Santa Cruz

California | Santa Cruz

For Architecture

#101 in North America

#381 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Receiving Aid: 71%
Average Aid: $21,564
Enrollment: 19,764

85. Missouri University of Science and Technology

Missouri | Rolla

For Architecture

#102 in North America

#384 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1264
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 98%

86. Oregon State University

Oregon | Corvallis

For Architecture

#103 in North America

#386 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Receiving Aid: 92%
Average Aid: $9,922
Enrollment: 35,622

87. University of Texas at San Antonio

Texas | San Antonio

For Architecture

#104 in North America

#387 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1100
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 86%

88. University of Central Florida

Florida | Orlando

For Architecture

#105 in North America

#389 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 91%

89. San Jose State University

California | San Jose

For Architecture

#106 in North America

#390 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Receiving Aid: 67%
Average Aid: $11,311
Enrollment: 36,062

90. Binghamton University

New York State | Vestal

For Architecture

#107 in North America

#393 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 78%

91. University of South Carolina - Columbia

South Carolina | Columbia

For Architecture

#108 in North America

#399 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 95%

92. University of Houston

Texas | Houston

For Architecture

#109 in North America

#404 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 83%

93. University of North Carolina at Charlotte

North Carolina | Charlotte

For Architecture

#110 in North America

#410 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1215
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 72%

94. University of California - Riverside

California | Riverside

For Architecture

#111 in North America

#411 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Receiving Aid: 75%
Average Aid: $21,566
Enrollment: 26,426

95. Dartmouth College

New Hampshire | Hanover

For Architecture

#112 in North America

#421 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $17,322

96. Clemson University

South Carolina | Clemson

For Architecture

#113 in North America

#422 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 84%

97. New Jersey Institute of Technology

New Jersey | Newark

For Architecture

#114 in North America

#423 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 94%

98. California University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | California

For Architecture

#115 in North America

#429 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 95%
Average Aid: $6,250
Enrollment: 6,885

99. Illinois Institute of Technology

Illinois | Chicago

For Architecture

#116 in North America

#431 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $25,001

100. University of Maryland - Baltimore County

Maryland | Baltimore

For Architecture

#117 in North America

#435 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1315
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 94%

The best cities to study Architecture in the United States based on the number of universities and their ranks are Pittsburgh, Berkeley, Cambridge, and Stanford.