What can you do with a Architecture degree from Carnegie Mellon University?

First, some facts. Of the Architecture graduates from Carnegie Mellon University 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 11 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 84%, Architecture graduates from Carnegie Mellon University have a much higher likelihood (+17%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 84%
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, 63% 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 you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Architecture graduate.

See the details:

View a random Architecture graduate from Carnegie Mellon University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2022 from Carnegie Mellon University with a Bachelor of Architecture - BArch in Architecture. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Junior Designer
Curtis & Windham Architects, Inc.
Jun 2022 - May 2023
As a Junior Designer at Curtis & Windham Architects, Inc., the position requires specific architectural skills and knowledge that are directly derived from the Bachelor's degree in Architecture.

Junior Designer
Enda Donagher Architect PC
Oct 2023 - Present
The role of Junior Designer at Enda Donagher Architect PC also demands a strong foundation in architectural principles and practices, aligning perfectly with the qualifications of the Bachelor's degree in Architecture.

ABOUT

I am an aspiring architect interested in delivering sustainable, high-performance multifamily and mixed use buildings for outstanding firms and their clients. Previously, I worked at Curtis & Windham architects and W partnership helping to document projects across the Texas Market. I am a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University with a Bachelors of Architecture. During my time there, I was also editor of the Interpunct student publication.

What jobs can you get with a Architecture degree from Carnegie Mellon University?

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


After looking through the LinkedIn profiles of graduates from Carnegie Mellon University's Architecture program, it's clear that many have landed positions closely tied to architecture. Common roles include Architect, Junior Architect, and Architectural Designer, all of which require the application of the skills and knowledge gained during their studies. It’s pretty evident that for those who went straight into architectural firms, the jobs are genuinely relevant to their degrees. For instance, roles at companies like Gensler or Cannon Design directly engage graduates in design and architectural practices.

However, there are also some alumni who ventured into more unrelated fields, such as retail sales and fashion-related roles. These positions often tap into creative skills but don’t seriously utilize architectural knowledge. Even when terms like "designer" are involved, the specific application of architecture can be quite loose. Overall, while a good chunk of graduates have found their way into architecture-specific roles that align with their training, there are notable exceptions where the connection to architecture isn't very strong at all. So, if you’re thinking about this degree, know that while a lot of your future job paths will be relevant, some might lead you in unexpected directions!

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 Carnegie Mellon University):

What kind of career trajectories do Architecture graduates from Carnegie Mellon University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from Carnegie Mellon University's Architecture program, it's clear that while some end up firmly in the architecture field, others wander into more varied roles. For many, their first jobs after graduation typically involve positions like junior architect, architectural designer, or design-related roles in firms where they participate in real projects right out of school. For instance, graduates from 2010 to 2016 often landed roles in established architectural firms like Gensler or Cannon Design, which suggests they had a relatively smooth transition into architectural practice. However, there are also graduates whose careers veered into retail, management, or even UX design, highlighting that not every grad sticks strictly to architecture.

As we look at where these individuals land a few years later, many continue to climb the architectural ladder to roles such as project designer or move into specialized areas like conservatory work or even academia, like some who became adjunct instructors or visiting critics at notable universities. However, some graduates maintain roles outside the traditional architectural field, such as in sales or creative design, which may reflect personal interests or opportunities rather than a direct application of their architecture degree. Overall, the graduates from CMU demonstrate a blend of successful paths within architecture and other diverse career choices, showing flexibility and adaptation to the evolving job market.

How hard is a Architecture degree from Carnegie Mellon University?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, especially at a school like Carnegie Mellon, is definitely on the tougher side of things. It’s not just about sitting in lectures all day; you’ll be juggling design projects, critiquing, and a ton of studio work that demands a lot of creativity and technical skills. The workload can be pretty intense, with late nights and a constant push to refine your designs and ideas. Plus, there’s often a culture of constructive criticism, which can be both inspiring and a bit daunting. So, if you love being challenged and are ready to dive into a world of hard work and creativity, you might thrive there, but it’s not a walk in the park by any means!

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 Carnegie Mellon University tend to make good money?

Looking at these graduates from Carnegie Mellon University, it seems like most of them are doing pretty well for themselves, especially in the architecture and design fields. Graduates who've landed roles at established firms like Gensler and Cannon Design usually pull in decent salaries right out of school, often in the six-figure range after a few years of experience. Others have hopped around in various roles, which can sometimes make it seem like their pay isn't as high, but many of them have shifted into companies or positions that likely offer competitive salaries, especially as they gain more experience. Overall, while some took longer to find their niche, it looks like a solid chunk of these folks are likely earning a good living now!

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 Carnegie Mellon University). 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