What can you do with a Architecture degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?

First, some facts. Of the Architecture graduates from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and 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 92%, Architecture graduates from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University have a substantially higher likelihood (+25%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 92%
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 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 58%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2012 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) in Architecture. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Design and Marketing Consultant
Technically Inspired
Aug 2012 - Jan 2013
As a Design and Marketing Consultant, the job may use some design skills relevant to architecture, but it is primarily focused on marketing rather than architecture itself.

Architectural Designer
DAS Architecture, Inc.
Nov 2012 - Jan 2015
The role of Architectural Designer directly applies the skills and knowledge obtained through the Bachelor of Architecture, focusing on architectural design and planning.

Design Intern
VTG CLT
Nov 2014 - Feb 2015
The position of Design Intern may involve using some design principles relevant to architecture, but it likely does not center on core architectural responsibilities.

Co-Creator + Designer
Dressed For Freedom
Aug 2016 - Nov 2016
Co-Creator + Designer at Dressed For Freedom could utilize design skills, but its connection to architecture is indirect and less substantial.

Wedding + Event Designer
The Classy Hippie, LLC
Jan 2015 - May 2017
Wedding + Event Designer may involve design and spatial planning, which are somewhat related to architecture, but it primarily focuses on event styling rather than architectural work.

Architectural Designer
Housing Studio
Feb 2015 - Jan 2018
As an Architectural Designer at Housing Studio, the role directly uses the knowledge and skills learned in the Bachelor of Architecture, making it highly relevant.

Contributing Writer
Charlotte Five
Mar 2019 - Jun 2019
The role of Contributing Writer at Charlotte Five may involve some understanding of design in writing, but it does not utilize architectural skills directly.

Architectural Designer
Insight Architects
Jun 2019 - Jul 2020
The position of Architectural Designer at Insight Architects requires the direct application of architectural knowledge, making it highly relevant to the degree.

Teacher
SkillPop
Jul 2018 - Present
Teaching at SkillPop may involve imparting design knowledge, but it is not focused on architecture specifically.

Intentional Living Coach
The Classy Hippie, LLC
Jul 2017 - Jul 2019
Being an Intentional Living Coach does not require architectural knowledge or skills, making it unrelated to the Bachelors degree in Architecture.

Graphic Designer
The Classy Hippie, LLC
Jan 2015 - Jul 2020
Graphic Designer at The Classy Hippie, LLC may involve some creative skills relevant to design, but it does not center around architecture itself.

Intentional Living Writer + Educator
The Classy Hippie, LLC
Jan 2015 - Present
As an Intentional Living Writer + Educator, this role does not utilize architecture-specific knowledge or skills.

Owner + Lead Designer
The Classy Hippie, LLC
Jan 2015 - Present
As the Owner + Lead Designer at The Classy Hippie, LLC, this position likely applies architectural design knowledge in practice, making it highly relevant.

Architectural + Interior Designer
The Classy Hippie, LLC
Jul 2020 - Present
The role of Architectural + Interior Designer at The Classy Hippie, LLC directly draws upon architectural principles and training, making it relevant to the degree.

ABOUT

Actively seeking a Remote, Part-Time, Contract Freelance Architectural Designer Position.Hello! I am an Architectural and Interior Designer. I work closely with General Contractors and Homeowners to redesign their homes in a way that makes it feel more true to who they are and the life they live. I specialize in Residential but am also looking to expand into more Commercial spaces in the coming year.I am also a Speaker and Educator with a focus on Lifestyle Design. My current topics include Intro to Low-Waste Living, Decluttering Your Space, Decluttering Your Year & Making Minimalism Your Own. I teach Group Classes and Corporate Seminars on my own, as well as through Skillpop here in Charlotte, NC.I am wanting to connect with and lead Classes // Workshops for Groups and Companies looking to promote these Lifestyle Design practices as part of investing in their communities and in their employees quality of life.

What jobs can you get with a Architecture degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?

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


When looking at the job trajectories of graduates from Virginia Tech's Architecture program, it’s clear that many have found positions directly tied to their studies. A significant number of individuals have worked as Architectural Designers or Interns, which allows them to apply their architectural skills and knowledge in practice. These roles not only utilize the design principles and technical skills learned during their education but also frequently involve working on real projects that contribute to their professional growth in architecture. For example, jobs at various firms such as KGD Architecture or Insight Architects are shining examples of how graduates use their backgrounds in design to shape their careers in meaningful ways. However, it’s not all architecture-focused. You’ll also find some graduates in unrelated roles such as gift shop associates, wedding event designers, and marketing consultants. Many of these positions don’t require architecture-specific skills, indicating that not all paths post-graduation are directly linked to the field. While a good chunk of the job titles does align with architectural expertise, there is a noticeable variety in the types of roles graduates have taken on. This diversity means that while a fair number certainly find ways to stay within the realm of architecture, others venture into creative fields or management roles that, while they might benefit from an architectural background, aren’t strictly architecture jobs. It's a mixed bag, but certainly, those who stick close to design and architecture seem to make the most of their degrees.

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 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University):

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

It looks like graduates from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University who studied Architecture tend to have pretty solid career trajectories in related fields. Right after graduation, many of them start off as interns or assistants in architecture firms, which makes total sense since gaining experience in a real-world setting is super important. For example, we see a lot of people landing roles as Architectural Designers, which is a common stepping stone for fresh grads trying to get their foot in the door. Others kick off their careers with internships, which can lead to full-time positions not long after. Overall, the first jobs graduates take up are largely relevant to their studies, suggesting that their degrees are opening up the right doors for them.

Fast forward five to ten years later, the trend continues in a positive direction. Many of these alumni advance through the ranks to positions like Project Managers, Associates, and even Senior Architects at established firms. This shows a lot of progression and indicates that they’re building successful careers within the architecture field. There are also a few unique paths where some graduates have shifted into roles that involve design consultancy, event designing, or even starting their own businesses. So, while not everyone sticks strictly to traditional architecture jobs, most seem to find ways to stay immersed in design or related areas. Overall, it appears that a degree from Virginia Tech in Architecture sets up students for relevant and promising career opportunities right after graduation and well into the future. Not too shabby, if you ask me!

How hard is a Architecture degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, especially at a school like Virginia Tech, can be pretty demanding, to be honest. It’s not just about sitting in lectures; you'll spend a lot of time in studios working on designs, critiquing peers' work, and constantly pushing your creative limits. The coursework is intense, balancing technical skills like drafting and engineering principles with a heavy load of art and design concepts. Plus, the hours can be long, with many students pulling all-nighters to finish projects. So, while it can be super rewarding and a great way to express your creativity, be ready to put in a lot of hard work and dedication—it's definitely on the challenging side compared to a lot of other bachelor's degrees!

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 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University tend to make good money?

Looking at the job paths of these Virginia Tech architecture grads, it seems like they’ve had a mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. Some spent a good chunk of their early careers as interns or junior designers, which usually doesn't pay that great, but others have gradually moved up to roles like project manager or associate, suggesting they’re earning a better salary now. For example, the ones who stuck it out at a single firm for several years seem to have climbed the ladder in terms of responsibility and likely income. Others have taken on multiple roles or started their own businesses, which can be risky but also has the potential for higher rewards if they do well. Overall, while some are probably making a solid paycheck now, it looks like it took a while to get there, and not everyone might be raking in the big bucks just yet.

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 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and 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