100 Best Architecture schools in the United States

Updated: March 15, 2026

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 1.93M citations received by 58.9K academic papers made by 210 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: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $35,552

2. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Architecture

#2 in North America

#2 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Receiving Aid: 63%
Average Aid: $29,608
Enrollment: 45,882

3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Architecture

#3 in North America

#3 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1550
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $20,996

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: $25,078

5. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia | Atlanta

For Architecture

#5 in North America

#5 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Average SAT: 1455
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 73%

6. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Architecture

#6 in North America

#9 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1445
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 69%

7. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Architecture

#7 in North America

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $43,412

8. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Architecture

#8 in North America

#11 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $23,110
Enrollment: 37,297

9. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Architecture

#9 in North America

#14 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 64%

10. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Architecture

#11 in North America

#19 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Receiving Aid: 56%
Average Aid: $16,156
Enrollment: 56,997

11. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Architecture

#12 in North America

#20 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Receiving Aid: 66%
Average Aid: $25,757
Enrollment: 44,256

12. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Architecture

#13 in North America

#23 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 59%
Average Aid: $25,627
Enrollment: 47,335

13. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Architecture

#14 in North America

#28 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 67%

14. University of Texas at Austin

For Architecture

#15 in North America

#31 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Average SAT: 1380
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 65%

15. University of Cincinnati

Ohio | Cincinnati

For Architecture

#16 in North America

#35 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 88%

16. Princeton University

New Jersey | Princeton

For Architecture

#17 in North America

#41 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $15,313

17. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Architecture

#18 in North America

#42 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,361

18. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Architecture

#20 in North America

#45 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 31
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: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,520

20. Purdue University

Indiana | West Lafayette

For Architecture

#22 in North America

#52 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 59%

21. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Architecture

#23 in North America

#56 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $12,172
Enrollment: 79,818

22. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Architecture

#24 in North America

#57 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1465
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 67%

23. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Architecture

#25 in North America

#61 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,525

24. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Architecture

#27 in North America

#72 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

25. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia | Blacksburg

For Architecture

#28 in North America

#73 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 67%

26. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Architecture

#29 in North America

#74 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

27. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Architecture

#30 in North America

#76 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $30,325

28. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Massachusetts | Amherst

For Architecture

#31 in North America

#79 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 89%

29. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Architecture

#32 in North America

#82 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,570

30. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Architecture

#33 in North America

#85 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 57%

31. George Mason University

Virginia | Fairfax

For Architecture

#34 in North America

#87 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 79%

32. California Institute of Technology

California | Pasadena

For Architecture

#35 in North America

#90 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Net Price: $14,513
Receiving Aid: 70%
Average Aid: $72,373

33. University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado | Boulder

For Architecture

#36 in North America

#101 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 67%

34. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina | Raleigh

For Architecture

#38 in North America

#104 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1385
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

35. Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas | College Station

For Architecture

#39 in North America

#106 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 74%

36. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Architecture

#40 in North America

#108 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,408

37. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Architecture

#41 in North America

#110 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $28,060

38. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Architecture

#42 in North America

#111 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 81%

39. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Architecture

#43 in North America

#113 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 59%

40. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Architecture

#47 in North America

#124 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 79%

41. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Architecture

#48 in North America

#131 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,017

42. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Architecture

#49 in North America

#134 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 74%

43. University of California - Santa Barbara

California | Santa Barbara

For Architecture

#50 in North America

#140 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 33%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $24,695
Enrollment: 26,133

44. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Architecture

#51 in North America

#141 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 69%

45. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Architecture

#53 in North America

#145 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 80%

46. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Architecture

#55 in North America

#153 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $21,981

47. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Architecture

#56 in North America

#157 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $24,420

48. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Architecture

#57 in North America

#158 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,186

49. University of Notre Dame

Indiana | Notre Dame

For Architecture

#59 in North America

#168 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1508
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $29,300

50. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Architecture

#60 in North America

#179 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,408

51. Iowa State University

Iowa State | Ames

For Architecture

#61 in North America

#183 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 89%

52. Old Dominion University

Virginia | Norfolk

For Architecture

#62 in North America

#188 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Average SAT: 1190
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 94%

53. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Architecture

#63 in North America

#198 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Receiving Aid: 65%
Average Aid: $24,591
Enrollment: 40,065

54. Northeastern University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Architecture

#65 in North America

#217 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1490
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $34,207

55. Berkeley College - Woodland Park

New Jersey | Woodland Park

For Architecture

#67 in North America

#222 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Net Price: $27,815
Receiving Aid: 98%
Average Aid: $16,909

56. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Architecture

#68 in North America

#229 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,830

57. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Architecture

#70 in North America

#251 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 92%

58. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

New York State | Troy

For Architecture

#71 in North America

#252 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average SAT: 1443
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $38,887

59. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Architecture

#72 in North America

#253 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

60. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Architecture

#73 in North America

#261 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 86%

61. Naval Postgraduate School

California | Monterey

For Architecture

#76 in North America

#273 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 23%
Enrollment: 2,441
Male:Female: 79:21
Founded: 1909

62. Drexel University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Architecture

#77 in North America

#276 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $42,801

63. University of Rochester

New York State | Rochester

For Architecture

#78 in North America

#282 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $40,462

64. University of Delaware

Delaware | Newark

For Architecture

#80 in North America

#297 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 94%

65. Colorado State University - Fort Collins

Colorado | Fort Collins

For Architecture

#81 in North America

#306 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Receiving Aid: 79%
Average Aid: $10,160
Enrollment: 34,096

66. University of Georgia

Georgia | Athens

For Architecture

#82 in North America

#309 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 89%

67. Brown University

Rhode Island | Providence

For Architecture

#83 in North America

#311 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,256

68. University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Nebraska | Lincoln

For Architecture

#84 in North America

#314 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1214
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

69. Brigham Young University - Provo

For Architecture

#85 in North America

#321 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $16,694

70. George Washington University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Architecture

#86 in North America

#323 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $46,485

71. University of Texas at Arlington

Texas | Arlington

For Architecture

#87 in North America

#324 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1125
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 92%

72. Florida International University

Florida | Miami

For Architecture

#88 in North America

#327 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1165
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 91%

73. Stony Brook University

New York State | Stony Brook

For Architecture

#89 in North America

#329 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 99%

74. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Architecture

#91 in North America

#343 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 89%

75. University of Texas at Dallas

Texas | Richardson

For Architecture

#92 in North America

#344 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 74%

76. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Architecture

#93 in North America

#350 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 94%

77. Syracuse University

New York State | Syracuse

For Architecture

#94 in North America

#351 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Average SAT: 1355
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $48,215

78. Stevens Institute of Technology

New Jersey | Hoboken

For Architecture

#95 in North America

#352 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 48%
Average SAT: 1443
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $46,165

79. Michigan Technological University

Michigan | Houghton

For Architecture

#96 in North America

#355 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 99%

80. Washington State University

Washington | Pullman

For Architecture

#97 in North America

#358 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Receiving Aid: 89%
Average Aid: $10,886
Enrollment: 25,685

81. Rice University

Texas | Houston

For Architecture

#98 in North America

#368 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,589

82. Case Western Reserve University

Ohio | Cleveland

For Architecture

#99 in North America

#370 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $44,000

83. University of California - Santa Cruz

California | Santa Cruz

For Architecture

#100 in North America

#387 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Receiving Aid: 64%
Average Aid: $22,774
Enrollment: 19,938

84. University of Texas at San Antonio

Texas | San Antonio

For Architecture

#101 in North America

#388 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1110
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 86%

85. Oregon State University

Oregon | Corvallis

For Architecture

#102 in North America

#390 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 92%

86. University of Central Florida

Florida | Orlando

For Architecture

#103 in North America

#392 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 92%

87. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Architecture

#104 in North America

#393 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

88. Missouri University of Science and Technology

Missouri | Rolla

For Architecture

#105 in North America

#394 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1305
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 99%

89. Binghamton University

New York State | Vestal

For Architecture

#106 in North America

#399 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Average SAT: 1420
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 79%

90. San Jose State University

California | San Jose

For Architecture

#107 in North America

#400 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Receiving Aid: 69%
Average Aid: $12,353
Enrollment: 37,661

91. University of Houston

Texas | Houston

For Architecture

#108 in North America

#405 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 83%

92. University of South Carolina - Columbia

South Carolina | Columbia

For Architecture

#109 in North America

#406 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 94%

93. University of North Carolina at Charlotte

North Carolina | Charlotte

For Architecture

#110 in North America

#415 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 75%

94. Illinois Institute of Technology

Illinois | Chicago

For Architecture

#111 in North America

#417 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $24,796

95. University of California - Riverside

California | Riverside

For Architecture

#112 in North America

#418 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $24,355
Enrollment: 26,384

96. Dartmouth College

New Hampshire | Hanover

For Architecture

#113 in North America

#425 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $20,322

97. New Jersey Institute of Technology

New Jersey | Newark

For Architecture

#114 in North America

#429 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 95%

98. Clemson University

South Carolina | Clemson

For Architecture

#115 in North America

#430 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 86%

99. California University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | California

For Architecture

#116 in North America

#437 in the World

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

100. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For Architecture

#117 in North America

#440 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 31
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.