What can you do with a Architecture degree from Penn State University?

First, some facts. Of the Architecture graduates from Penn State 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? Great! Overall, with an average relevance score of 97%, Architecture graduates from Penn State University have a substantially higher likelihood (+30%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 97%
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 9% 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 Penn State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 79%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2012 from Penn State University with a Bachelor's degree in Architecture. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Project Designer
Desmone
May 2012 - May 2018
The position of Project Designer at Desmone may involve some architecture-related skills, but it primarily focuses on design rather than the technical specifics of architectural practice, thus only partially relating to the degree.

Project Architect
Desmone
May 2018 - Present
As a Project Architect at Desmone, this job requires extensive use of architectural knowledge and skills acquired during the Bachelor's program, making it directly relevant.

Partner
Desmone
Feb 2022 - Present
The role of Partner at Desmone involves high-level architectural decision-making and firm leadership that directly stems from the foundational skills and knowledge obtained in the Bachelor's degree in Architecture, ensuring its full relevance.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Architecture degree from Penn State University?

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


It looks like most folks who graduated with a degree in Architecture from Penn State University have found jobs that are heavily related to their field. You'll see a lot of roles like Project Architect, Designer, and Associate Architect popping up in these profiles. These positions usually require a solid understanding of architectural principles and design, which makes sense since they directly apply the skills learned in college. Many of them have advanced through their careers, starting as interns or designers and then moving up to project manager and even higher leadership roles, like being a firm president.

However, there are a few exceptions. Some roles, like the VDC Engineer or positions that focused on project coordination, may not be as deeply rooted in traditional architectural practice, even though they still use some of the knowledge from the degree. Overall, it’s clear that the majority of jobs held by these graduates are relevant to architecture, allowing them to utilize their education and skills effectively in their careers. So, if you're thinking about pursuing architecture, it seems like there’s a good chance your degree will lead you to something related!

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 Penn State University):

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

It seems like graduates from Penn State University's Architecture program generally enjoy solid career trajectories, especially in the early stages of their careers. For many, their first jobs after graduation are typically as architectural interns or entry-level designers, which is pretty standard in the industry. As they gain experience, many of them advance to roles like Project Architect or Project Designer within just a few years. For example, several graduates who started as interns quickly moved up the ranks, taking on more responsibilities and eventually becoming partners or even presidents of firms. This shows that there's a clear pathway for growth in the field, which is encouraging if you’re considering a career in architecture.

Looking a bit further down the line, about five to ten years after graduating, many of these alumni have secured positions such as Project Architect or even higher-level roles like Associate or Senior Project Architect. Some have even taken the leap to become partners in their firms. There’s a strong indication that these graduates are sticking to what they studied and are climbing the ladder within architecture-focused companies. While there might be a few who veered off the path or explored related fields, the majority seem to be doing well in architecture – which is definitely a good thing if you're thinking about pursuing a degree in this field!

How hard is a Architecture degree from Penn State University?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, like the one at Penn State, can be pretty challenging, but it's also super rewarding if you're passionate about design. You’ll find yourself juggling a ton of studio projects, sketching, and drafting—all while learning the ins and outs of architecture theory, history, and even some engineering basics. The workload is usually heavier than your average major, with long nights spent perfecting designs and meeting deadlines. It requires a good mix of creativity, technical skills, and a bit of determination, so if you’re willing to put in the effort, you’ll likely find it an engaging and fulfilling experience, even if it's not a walk in the park!

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 Penn State University tend to make good money?

Looking at these Penn State architecture grads, it seems like they’re doing pretty well financially overall. The ones who graduated a bit earlier, especially the 2011 grad, are now in high-ranking positions like President and Senior Project Architect, which typically comes with a hefty paycheck. The 2012 grads also seem to be climbing the ladder successfully—with one being a Partner now! The newer grads, while still early in their careers, have landed solid roles that typically pay decent salaries. So, yeah, it looks like these folks are making decent money, especially as they gain more experience and take on more responsibility!

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 Penn State 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