What can you do with a Architecture degree from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?

First, some facts. Of the Architecture graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 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 35 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 87%, Architecture graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo have a much higher likelihood (+20%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 87%
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, only 8% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Architecture graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Architecture graduate from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and our analysis:


Relevance score: 84%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2021 from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo with a Bachelors Degree in Architecture. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Activity Leader & Head Lifeguard
Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington
Jun 2021 - Aug 2021
While being an Activity Leader & Head Lifeguard may involve leadership and safety skills, it does not utilize specific architectural knowledge or skills acquired from the Bachelor's degree in Architecture.

Interior Decorator
Freelance
Aug 2021 - Jun 2022
The role of an Interior Decorator involves design elements that overlap with architecture, but it does not fully leverage the technical skills and knowledge from a formal architecture degree.

Designer - Interior Architecture
Ware Malcomb
Jun 2022 - Present
As a Designer in Interior Architecture, this job directly applies the principles and skills learned in the Bachelor's degree, requiring a strong understanding of architectural design and interior space planning on a daily basis.

ABOUT

I have a Bachelor of Architecture from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and a special interest in interior design.I was initially drawn to architecture through my interest in interior design, but I also value the spatial experiences and relationships emphasized in architecture. I am particularly interested in graphics, interiors, and materiality, but designing and building a chair showed me that furniture design is within my realm of interest as well. I plan to continue my career through a combination of art, architecture, and interior design.

What jobs can you get with a Architecture degree from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?

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


A lot of graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo with degrees in Architecture have landed jobs that are closely tied to their field of study. The most common roles include positions like Architect, Architectural Designer, and Project Architect. These jobs typically require solid architectural knowledge and skills that align perfectly with their degree, allowing them to apply everything they learned in school to real-life projects. For instance, roles such as Project Architect and Senior Project Architect not only call for understanding architectural principles but also demand practical experience in executing projects. It's clear from the profiles that many of these graduates are working in traditional architectural roles, emphasizing their strong foundation in the field. However, there are also quite a few positions that don’t seem to tie back as neatly to architecture. For example, jobs in graphic design, interior decorating, and even project management without a direct architectural focus show that some graduates have branched out into more general design or management roles. While these jobs might use some overlap of skills, they often don't utilize the specialized knowledge expected from someone who studied architecture. Overall, the majority of positions held by these graduates do align well with their education, but there’s a noticeable mix with roles that only partially relate to their architectural training. So while most of them have found paths that reflect their studies, there are certainly some that have explored a wider variety of career options.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Architecture graduates (this is across all Architecture graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo):

What kind of career trajectories do Architecture graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When looking at the career trajectories of graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo with degrees in Architecture, it’s clear that many of them start off in fairly relevant positions right after graduation. Most often, their first jobs are as interns or junior designers, working in firms that focus on architecture or design-related fields. This is pretty much what you’d expect, as many students hop into internships during or right after school, building connections and gaining practical experience. Over the first few years, many graduates transition into roles like Architectural Designers or Project Managers, showing a solid move up in responsibility and expertise in their field.

As we look at these trajectories five or ten years out, it seems that a good number of these graduates have managed to land substantial roles within the architecture community. Some have moved up to positions like Project Architects or Associates at established firms, and there are even a few who have become Principals at their own firms or taken on senior management roles, like Design Directors. However, there are also graduates who have taken a bit of a turn, finding their passions elsewhere—like in marketing roles or even graphic design—although these tend to be less common. Overall, while there’s a mix of success stories and some cases where graduates don’t stick with architecture, a decent number continue to build their careers in related fields and achieve considerable success. So, if you're considering a degree in architecture, it looks like Cal Poly can set you on a solid path!

How hard is a Architecture degree from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is definitely on the challenging side of the spectrum. The program is known for its rigorous coursework and demanding workload, which means you’ll be juggling design projects, studio work, and a ton of theory classes while also honing your technical skills. Expect late nights and long hours in the studio, especially when deadlines are looming, because it’s not just about showing up to class—you’ll be doing a lot of hands-on work and collaboration with your peers. So, while it can be super rewarding and creative, be prepared for it to be tougher than your average degree!

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 Architecture.

Do Architecture graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo tend to make good money?

From the looks of it, these Cal Poly architecture grads seem to be doing pretty well career-wise, especially as they gain experience and move up the ranks. Many of them started as interns or junior designers right after graduation but have quickly climbed to roles like project architect or even senior project managers—suggesting they're hitting those higher salary tiers as they progress. Plus, some have landed positions in well-known firms or even as principals of their own companies, which usually means they’re raking in a decent paycheck. Overall, while their exact incomes are unclear, it seems like they're making a pretty good living in the field of architecture!

What buzzwords do Architecture 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 Architecture (this is across all Architecture graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Architecture?

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

College Score Count
Penn State University 97 11
Woodbury University 95 18
University of Central Florida 94 10
Northeastern University 93 12
University of Southern California 93 21
University of Arizona 92 14
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 92 11
Roger Williams University 91 15
The University of Texas at Austin 89 15
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 89 14
Clemson University 89 16
University of Nebraska-Lincoln 89 10
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 89 12
New Jersey Institute of Technology 89 12
Pratt Institute 89 22
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 88 23
University of Oregon 88 17
Virginia Tech 88 17
Ball State University 88 23
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 87 35
North Dakota State University 86 10
Texas Tech University 85 17
Georgia Institute of Technology 84 13
Carnegie Mellon University 84 11
Temple University 83 12
Iowa State University 83 14
University of Kentucky 82 15
New York Institute of Technology 82 17
University of Michigan 81 16
University of Houston 81 15
University of Cincinnati 79 20
Illinois Institute of Technology 79 18
Arizona State University 78 10
University of Florida 78 20
Wentworth Institute of Technology 78 24
University of Illinois at Chicago 77 13
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale 76 10
The Ohio State University 73 15
Texas A&M University 72 11
Savannah College of Art and Design 72 18
The University of New Mexico 72 10
The University of Texas at San Antonio 71 16
University of Minnesota 69 11
Lawrence Technological University 69 11
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 68 15
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 63 16
Miami University 63 11
Kent State University 52 17