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First, some facts. Of the Landscape 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 84%, Landscape Architecture graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo have a much higher likelihood (+17%) 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, only 10% 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 Landscape Architecture graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2023 from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONJunior Associate Landscape Designer McCullough Sep 2023 - Present ABOUTI graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture. I look forward to utilizing the technical skills I have learned throughout my time at Cal Poly as well as my two internships in the field. I am motivated, amiable, and maintain great communication with experience being an officer in the student chapter of ASLA. I also enjoy gardening, baking, swimming, and sewing. My favorite medium is acrylic painting and watercolor comes in at a close second. I have always enjoyed the many components that makeup landscape architecture including math, geology, plants, and drawing, and am excited to pursue a career in landscape architecture. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When you look at the types of jobs that graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo have taken on after earning a degree in Landscape Architecture, it’s pretty clear that there are a number of common paths. Many of them find roles as Landscape Designers or Landscape Architects, which are positions that directly utilize the skills and knowledge they learned during their studies. Job titles like Project Manager at landscaping firms also pop up frequently, showing that a hefty portion of alumni are working in roles that require a solid understanding of design principles and project oversight. These positions not only relate closely to their degree but are also integral to the field of Landscape Architecture itself.
However, not every graduate lands a job that aligns perfectly with their field of study. Some ventured into roles like software engineering or coaching that have little to no relevance to Landscape Architecture. While some of their jobs do draw on certain skills from their degree, others, like working as digital developers, seem far removed from the principles of landscape design. Overall, while the majority of alumni are actively engaged in roles that are relevant to Landscape Architecture, there are certainly exceptions where graduates find themselves in positions that don’t fully leverage their specialized training.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Landscape Architecture graduates (this is across all Landscape Architecture graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo):
From looking at the career paths of graduates from the Landscape Architecture program at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, it seems like a promising start for many. Right after graduation, a lot of these folks land their first roles as designers or project managers at landscaping firms. For example, grads from 2012 to 2019 have taken on positions that are quite relevant to landscape architecture, like Landscape Designer and Project Manager. It’s cool to see that many of them continued to progress into more senior roles, which suggests that they’re finding good opportunities in their field and sticking with it long-term.
However, it’s not all smooth sailing. Some graduates have strayed from the conventional landscape architecture trajectory. For instance, the 2016 grad who switched to a software engineering role and the 2017 grad who became a cost estimator might feel a bit disconnected from their original studies. This indicates that while there are solid career paths in landscape architecture, not everyone follows them. Over five to ten years, a decent number of these alumni seem to be advancing in roles that relate closely to landscape design and management, while others have ventured into different fields, which might not align directly with their degree. Overall, the pattern shows that graduates typically find meaningful work, but with varied success depending on the individual’s choices and the job market.”
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is definitely on the challenging side. It's kind of a blend of art, science, and engineering, so you’ll be juggling design projects, environmental studies, and some technical stuff like CAD and site analysis. The program is known for being rigorous, with a heavy workload and a lot of hands-on studio work, which means you'll spend plenty of late nights critiquing your designs and perfecting your projects. If you enjoy creativity and are ready to dive deep into both the technical and creative aspects of design, you’ll probably find it rewarding, but be prepared for a solid challenge! Overall, it's tougher than a lot of typical bachelor degrees, but super fulfilling if you're passionate about it.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 5 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Landscape Architecture.
Hey! So, looking at the job journeys of these Landscape Architecture grads from Cal Poly, it seems like they've mostly been able to work their way up in their careers, which usually means they’re making decent money. For example, the 2012 grad started as a framer but quickly climbed to a Senior Project Manager role, which typically pays pretty well. Others have also gone from entry-level positions to more senior roles, like Project Managers and Associates, which usually come with higher salaries and more responsibility. Sure, some took a bit of time to settle into higher-paying jobs or switched fields entirely (like the one who became a Software Engineer), but overall, it looks like they're on a good path financially. As with any field, salaries can vary a lot based on the specific employer and location, but their progression suggests they’re likely doing pretty well!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Landscape Architecture (this is across all Landscape 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:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Landscape Architecture (ordered by the average relevance score of their Landscape Architecture graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
|
84 | 10 |
 California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
|
79 | 10 |