What can you do with a Architectural Engineering degree?

First, some facts. Of the Architectural Engineering graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 121 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 73%, Architectural Engineering graduates have a higher likelihood (+6%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 73%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 35% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), which is right in line with the average across all fields.

See the details:

View a random Architectural Engineering graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 92%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2018 from University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Architectural Engineering. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Handyman Helper
Handyman Connection
Jun 2018 - Mar 2019
The position of Handyman Helper does not require the specific skills or knowledge from a Bachelor's degree in Architectural Engineering, as it primarily involves general maintenance tasks unrelated to engineering principles.

Design Engineer (EIT)
TITAN Formwork Systems
Mar 2019 - Mar 2023
As a Design Engineer (EIT) at TITAN Formwork Systems, this role directly utilizes engineering concepts, principles, and skills learned during the Bachelor's degree, involving specific design engineering tasks.

Design Engineer (P.E.)
TITAN Formwork Systems
Mar 2023 - Jul 2023
The position of Design Engineer (P.E.) at TITAN Formwork Systems requires advanced engineering analysis and design skills integral to a Bachelor's in Architectural Engineering, making it highly relevant.

Lead Design Engineer P.E.
TITAN Formwork Systems
Mar 2019 - Present
As a Lead Design Engineer (P.E.) at TITAN Formwork Systems, this role demands comprehensive knowledge and expertise in engineering principles and architectural systems, which are core components of the Bachelor's degree.

ABOUT

Formwork Design Engineer based in Phoenix, ArizonaPE Licensure in March 2023

What jobs can you get with a Architectural Engineering degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


After analyzing numerous LinkedIn profiles of individuals who have graduated with degrees in Architectural Engineering, it's clear that many have found their way into various roles that either leverage their skills directly or relate to the building and construction industries. A significant number of graduates have pursued positions such as Design Engineers, Project Engineers, and Architects, reflecting a common trajectory that prioritizes the technical and design competencies acquired during their studies. Roles like Graduate Engineers and BIM Coordinators also stand out as pertinent paths, indicating that practical applications of architectural engineering principles are often at the forefront of their careers.

However, not all roles taken by graduates of Architectural Engineering align perfectly with their degree. While many jobs such as Design Engineer, Structural Designer, and MEP Engineer directly apply engineering principles learned during their education, other positions—like administrative roles or those in unrelated fields—dilute the relevance of the degree. For instance, some graduates have taken jobs in administrative coordination or marketing, which do not utilize core architectural engineering knowledge. This divergence raises questions about how well architectural engineering graduates can find roles that fully utilize their specialized skills, suggesting that while there are abundant opportunities in their field, some may drift into positions that offer little connection to their academic background.

Overall, the trend indicates a prominent focus on design and construction-related jobs for Architectural Engineering graduates. Still, a notable portion of the workforce finds itself in roles that do not engage their engineering expertise as fully as one might expect. This landscape poses a valuable consideration for future students: while pursuing creative and engineering-centric careers is essential, being strategic about the relevance of potential job paths could greatly influence their career satisfaction and field contribution.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Architectural Engineering graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Architectural Engineering graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When we look at the career trajectories of graduates from various universities with degrees in Architectural Engineering, several patterns emerge. Many of these individuals initially step into roles that are related directly to their field, such as design engineer or architect intern positions right after graduation. For instance, several graduates from institutions like The University of Texas at Austin quickly transitioned into roles such as Graduate Engineer or Design Team member shortly after completing their degrees. This initial step into the workforce tends to be a vital one, as it allows them to apply their academic knowledge in real-world scenarios. Moreover, a sizable number of the graduates start off in internships that provide practical experience and a significant stepping stone into their careers.

As these professionals progress five to ten years into their careers, they commonly advance into higher-level positions such as project managers, senior engineers, or even directors at engineering firms. For example, graduates who began as junior architects or entry-level engineers often work their way up to positions of responsibility and leadership, such as engineering managers or senior digital services engineers. This upward trajectory highlights the potential for rewarding and relevant career paths for graduates in Architectural Engineering. However, it’s essential to note that not every graduate follows a linear path related to their degree. Some individuals shift significantly from their initial roles, finding themselves in unrelated fields or entirely different industries, like marketing or sales, which suggests that while a degree in Architectural Engineering opens up numerous doors, it does not mean every graduate will remain strictly in that lane.

Overall, most graduates from this field tend to find careers that leverage their educational qualifications effectively, especially in the first few years post-graduation. The architecture and engineering sectors continue to need talent, and the skills nurtured during their academic training generally prepare them well for various roles within those industries. Nonetheless, there's a mix of experiences, with some graduates taking paths that diverge significantly from architectural engineering, which serves as a reminder that career journeys can be unpredictable and varied.

How hard is a Architectural Engineering degree?

A Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering can be pretty challenging, so you should definitely be ready to put in some serious effort. You’re going to be tackling a mix of math, physics, and design courses, which can be intense, especially if you’re not super comfortable with those subjects. On top of that, you'll have to deal with a lot of projects and hands-on work that demand creativity and technical skills—it's not just sitting in a classroom, but a lot of late nights working on designs and group projects. So yeah, it’s generally harder than your average degree, but if you’re passionate about it, you’ll probably find it rewarding too!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 5 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Architectural Engineering.

Do Architectural Engineering graduates tend to make good money?

Looking at these graduates, it seems like there's a mixed bag when it comes to their earning potential. Some folks, especially those with experience in established companies or managerial roles, like the Karen K. at Siemens and the person who's a Senior Project Manager at HENSEL PHELPS, likely have pretty good salaries. On the other hand, recent grads, like the ones just starting as interns or entry-level positions, might be on the lower end of the pay scale, which is pretty common as they’re gaining experience. So overall, while some are likely raking it in, others might still be working their way up the financial ladder.

Also, with certain jobs related to architectural engineering typically being in-demand, there’s definitely a path for these grads to make solid money as they move through their careers. It’s all about how they leverage their education and experiences to climb that income ladder. So, if you’re thinking about your future in this field, keep in mind that it might take some time to get to those higher earning positions, but the potential is definitely there!

What buzzwords do Architectural Engineering graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Architectural Engineering. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Architectural Engineering?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Architectural Engineering (ordered by the average relevance score of their Architectural Engineering graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count