Aspiring international students looking to pursue a degree in architecture in the US will find a list of universities in this post that are best at offering the program. Just sit back, relax and read thoroughly.
Higher education in the US is rated top in the world by international students and institution ranking platforms which I’m sure isn’t new to you. If you are aspiring to pursue an architecture degree or any degree in the US then you already know that the universities there are world-class and hold international recognition in every field and discipline.
This is why a lot of students from different parts of the world want to study in the US because your “green pastures” will no longer be far from reach when you graduate. However, you have to know that it is hard to study in US universities because of the tough entry requirements, low acceptance rates, expensive tuition fees, and the visa are equally hard to get but this depends on where you are coming from.
One of the ways to combat the expensive tuition at US universities is to seek scholarship opportunities which are pretty many if you look at the right places.
The purpose of this post is to guide international students who are aspiring to pursue a degree in architecture in the US. Through this article, students can find a university in the States that is suitable for them, meets their academic demands, and pushes them toward their life goals.
The best architecture universities in the USA for international students curated in this post include the Ivy League schools and some other top schools around the US which are nationally and internationally ranked by platforms like the QS World Universities Ranking, The Princeton Review, and The US News & World Report.
Location is a very important decision for every international student and from this article, you can be able to narrow down your search to just the United States alone. You will also find other helpful guides like the cheapest architecture universities in the US for international students and how to kick start a career as an architect.
How To Become An Architect In the USA
In this section, you will learn how to become an architect in the US.
· Earn A Degree in Architecture
To become an architect in the US, you must attend a 4-year college and earn, at least, a bachelor’s degree which takes 5 years to complete and the degree is B. Arch. The other option is to complete a master’s degree program that takes around 2-3 years to complete and you will get an M. Arch degree upon completion.
Some students, in order to be well-grounded in the field take both the undergraduate and then the master’s degree in architecture earning both the B. Arch and M. Arch. While some students only do the B. Arch then go for an MBA degree which prepares them for leadership positions in the field. It all depends on your goal.
Most importantly, ensure that any architecture program you are going for is from an accredited university and also that the program itself is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). An accredited architecture program also qualifies you for a licensure to start practicing as an architect in the US.
· Participate In An Internship Program
An internship is the best way to ground and polish your skills in any field. Doing an internship in an architecture organization/firm will help ground your skills, equip you with hands-on experience, and get you ready for the next phase in your career.
You can check our post on the best internships in the USA for international students to look for an internship program in architecture.
· Earn Your Architecture License
Before you can be fully regarded as an architect, you must earn your license. The license can only be earned after the step above has been met, that is, you have a degree either a B. Arch or the M. Arch from an accredited institution.
When you get your architecture license, then you can start practicing as an architect in the US. The license must be earned from the regulatory board in the jurisdiction where you want to practice. The requirements for an architecture license in the US vary from state to state but they all require that you have an education, experience, and examination.
The Architecture Registration Examination (ARE) is the exam that graduates will take before they earn their licensure.
· Apply For Job Position
This is the final part and it is pretty much explanatory already. After you have completed your internship and earned your license, you can start applying for job positions in your field. You may either decide to work with a company or become independent, that is, working as a private architect.
These are the guidelines to becoming an architect in the US, let’s go on to see the best architecture universities in the US for international students.
Top 10 Architecture Universities In USA For International Students
And now the main highlight of this post is the best architecture universities in the US for international students.
- Yale University
- The University of Pennsylvania
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Northeastern University
- Stanford University
- Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
- Harvard University
- Texas A&M University
- The University of California, Berkeley
- Columbia University
1. Yale University
Yale University is one of the Ivy League universities and is widely recognized among the top universities in the world in almost all disciplines. The Yale School of Architecture is a division within Yale University that is responsible for training students looking to pursue a career as architects.
Yale Architecture offers undergraduate studies, joint degree programs, and graduate degree programs leading to M. Arch and Ph.D. in architecture. Admission requirements for each of the programs vary, you will have to visit the school’s website to find out more.
2. The University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is also one of the Ivy League institutions that offer architecture programs. UPenn is ranked #7 of the best universities in the US and for its architecture program, it is ranked #15 in the world and #8 in the US by QS World University Ranking.
Architecture at UPenn is offered at undergraduate and graduate study levels. The Weitzman School of Design offers the graduate program while the undergraduate program in architecture is offered by the College of Arts & Sciences. There are also dual degrees and certificates.
3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MIT is one of the top-ranking higher institutions in the US and in the world that has played a major role in the development of modern technology and science. The MIT Department of Architecture is one of the divisions within the university responsible for training future architectures at undergraduate and graduate levels of study.
4. Northeastern University
This is a private university in Boston and ranked at #44 best schools in the US by the US News & World Report. It is a research-focused institution, so expect that your architecture program will be focused a lot more on research. You can apply either for an undergraduate or graduate program in architecture at Northeastern University.
5. Stanford University
Stanford University, according to the QS World University Ranking, is the 2nd best in the world. The institution is an international and national champion in offering prestigious academic programs in many disciplines including architecture.
Architecture at Stanford is offered in different disciplines like engineering, arts, and design. They cover both undergraduate and graduate programs. It is left for you to decide which discipline or field you want to cover as an architect.
6. Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
Georgia Institute of Technology is one of the top research institutes in the nation and receives over $1 billion annually in research awards. Being a high-ranking research institute means that the programs offered here would be research-focused and that is a good thing because you can gain a lot of hands-on experience through the state-of-the-art faculty.
Among the 6 colleges at Georgia Tech is the College of Design which houses the Georgia Tech School of Architecture. This is where research, technology, and design are combined to develop a well-rounded, interdisciplinary, future-focused education that prepares students to make an impact on the built environment.
7. Harvard University
Harvard University is one of the oldest higher institutions in the US and is widely recognized as an Ivy League. This institution has educated some of the world’s most recognized individuals ranging from US presidents and heads to state to Nobel Laureate Prize winners and celebrities.
The Harvard Graduate School of Design is one of the divisions within the school and this one is tasked with offering a wide range of programs including architecture. The architecture program at Harvard is only offered in graduate degrees which leads to a Master of Architecture.
8. Texas A&M University
Texas A&M is one of the best architecture universities in USA for international students. It is a public land-grant research university ranked at #18 by the QS World University Ranking of best national universities.
The institution has a School of Architecture where future professional architects are groomed by some of the top professors in the country.
The School houses 5 undergraduate majors across its three departments in environmental design, construction science, landscape architecture, urban and regional planning, and university studies—global arts, planning, design, and construction concentration.
There are also 10 graduate programs in architecture.
9. The University of California, Berkeley
UC, Berkeley is ranked #20 among the best universities in the US by the US News & World Report. The institution houses a Department of Architecture that offers an undergraduate program leading to a BA. Architecture is also offered at the graduate level in the Berkeley Graduate Division and leads to a master’s.
10. Columbia University
And last but not least on our list of best architecture universities in the USA for international students is Columbia University, one of the Ivy Leagues. The university houses a Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation (GSAPP) that offers an MS in Architecture and Urban Design.
There is no undergraduate program in architecture at Columbia University.
These are the top 10 best architecture universities in the USA for international students, which will you be applying for?
Cheapest Architecture Universities In USA For International Students
Below are the cheapest architecture universities in the USA for international students and their fees;
| University | Fees |
| The University of Washington | $9,443 |
| The University of California, Los Angeles | $14,760 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | $15,873 |
| The University of Texas at Austin | $14,356 |
| The University of Virginia | $16,594 |
| South Dakota State University | $12,128 |
| Alfred State College | $15,395 |
| The City University of New York | $14,810 |
| The University of the District of Columbia | $14,810 |
Architecture Universities In USA For International Students – FAQs
[sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”h3″ question-0=”Is architecture a good career in the USA?” answer-0=” A 3.1 percent job increase is predicted for architects between 2020 and 2030 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 3,900 positions are expected to become available over that time. Buildings that are aesthetically beautiful, secure, and have a purpose are made by architects using their design, engineering, management, and coordination talents.” image-0=”” headline-1=”h3″ question-1=”How much does it cost to study architecture in the USA?” answer-1=” According to CollegeCalc.org, a four-year architecture bachelor’s program has an average total out-of-state cost of $179,376. The price of master’s degrees rises even further, with two-year programs costing between $27,600 and $72,580.” image-1=”” headline-2=”h3″ question-2=”Can I do B Arch in the USA?” answer-2=” Yes, you can do a Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch) in the US, it takes approximately 5 years to complete.” image-2=”” count=”3″ html=”true” css_class=””]