First, some facts. Of the Architecture graduates from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 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 14 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Great! Overall, with an average relevance score of 89%, Architecture graduates from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have a substantially higher likelihood (+22%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 57% 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:
Relevance score: 100%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2022 from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Architecture. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONArchitectural InternStudioGC architecture+interiors Jun 2022 - Jan 2023 Architectural Intern HDR May 2023 - May 2024 Design Coordinator HDR Jun 2024 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Architecture - MArchUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 2022 - 2024 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
After looking through the job titles and responsibilities of graduates from the Architecture program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, there are a few clear patterns. Many of these alumni have taken on roles that are directly related to architecture and utilize the skills and knowledge they gained during their studies. Jobs like Architectural Intern, Architectural Designer, and CAD Technician are common and clearly align with the field, allowing graduates to engage with architectural design, principles, and project execution. These positions show that a significant number of graduates have found ways to directly apply their education in real-world scenarios, such as working in design firms and architecture teams.
However, there are also some graduates who have veered into roles that are less related to architecture, like Accounts Payable Clerks or even Real Estate Brokers. While these jobs may draw on some skills learned during their architecture studies, they don't encompass the full breadth of what an architecture career typically involves. Overall, while many grads have pursued and thrived in positions closely related to architecture, a number have ended up in roles that focus more on administration or business aspects, indicating a mix of alignment with the architectural profession in their career paths.
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 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign):
Looking at the career paths of graduates from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who studied Architecture, it seems like a lot of them start off on solid footing in the field. Most graduates land internships or entry-level positions relatively quickly after graduation, often as architectural interns or in design-related roles. For instance, many of the 2010 and 2011 grads started their careers with common titles like Architectural Intern or Project Coordinator, which is pretty typical in the architecture industry. Over time, as they gain experience, many of these professionals move up to more responsible positions, such as Project Designers or Architectural Associates.
Fast forward 5 to 10 years post-graduation, and you'll see a mixed bag of outcomes. A decent number of alumni have progressed into mid-level roles at reputable firms, while others have taken slightly different paths, such as moving into real estate or even founding their own businesses. That said, there's also a significant portion that might not have ended up directly in architecture-related jobs long-term. For example, one graduate switched to being a Real Estate Broker after a few years in architecture. Overall, though, it looks like many of these graduates have managed to build successful careers that still relate to their studies, even if not everyone has remained strictly in the traditional architectural roles they trained for. So, while some might get sidetracked, it seems like a good degree to have if you're aiming for a solid career path!
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, especially at a school like the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is definitely on the challenging side! It combines a lot of design work, technical skills, and theory, plus you might find yourself pulling some late nights to finish projects. The coursework usually includes a mix of studio classes, where you’re designing and critiquing work, along with lectures on history, structures, and sustainability. You'll need to be ready to juggle all of that, so it’s not exactly a walk in the park—it’s a rigorous program that really pushes your creativity and problem-solving skills. If you’re passionate about architecture and ready to put in the effort, it can be a rewarding experience, but don’t underestimate the workload!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Architecture.
Based on the job progression of these architecture grads from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, it looks like most of them are on a decent path when it comes to making money. Graduates who landed roles as project designers or architectural associates—especially those with titles like Senior Draftsperson or Associate III—likely earn good salaries, probably well into the mid-$60k to over $80k range, especially with a few years of experience under their belts. However, some early positions like accounts payable clerk or internships suggest that not all of them may have started off at high salaries. Overall, while they might not all be rolling in cash right out of college, many seem to be building solid, financially rewarding careers in architecture as they gain more experience.
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 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign). This may or may not be useful:
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: