Best Schools for Architectural Engineering in 2026

12 schools ranked by DegreeWorth Score · Updated 2026

These are the top schools offering Architectural Engineering, ranked by DegreeWorth Score. The score combines graduate earnings, AI automation resilience, job market demand, and return on tuition investment. The average Architectural Engineering graduate earns $72,122/yr across 12 schools.

Programs Ranked
12
Avg Earnings
$72,122/yr
Avg DW Score
68/100
AI Risk
High
52% task exposure

All Architectural Engineering Programs Ranked

Click any row for full AI scenario analysis, earnings projections, and career path breakdown.

# Program DW Score Earnings AI Risk ROI
1 Architectural Engineering
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo · San Luis Obispo, CA
72
67–73
$80,481/yr High 20.9x
2 Architectural Engineering
Auburn University · Auburn, AL
71
65–72
$77,115/yr High 18.9x
3 Architectural Engineering
North Carolina A & T State University · Greensboro, NC
71
65–73
$67,152/yr High 27.3x
4 Architectural Engineering
The University of Texas at Austin · Austin, TX
70
65–72
$73,510/yr High 20.6x
5 Architectural Engineering
University of Wyoming · Laramie, WY
70
65–72
$66,497/yr High 25.6x
6 Architectural Engineering
Kansas State University · Manhattan, KS
70
65–71
$74,091/yr High 19.1x
7 Architectural Engineering
University of Kansas · Lawrence, KS
70
66–71
$76,353/yr High 15.3x
8 Architectural Engineering
Missouri University of Science and Technology · Rolla, MO
67
63–68
$73,274/yr High 14.3x
9 Architectural Engineering
University of Colorado Boulder · Boulder, CO
65
60–66
$72,567/yr High 12.8x
10 Architectural Engineering
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus · Cincinnati, OH
67
63–67
$72,691/yr High 12.4x
11 Architectural Engineering
Texas A & M University-Kingsville · Kingsville, TX
64
60–64
$55,459/yr High 13.0x
12 Architectural Engineering
Drexel University · Philadelphia, PA
54
48–55
$76,272/yr High 2.8x

Methodology

Programs are ranked by DegreeWorth Score, which combines four equally weighted factors: graduate earnings (Year 1 after graduation), AI automation resilience (based on OpenAI and academic research), job market size (BLS annual openings), and earnings-to-tuition multiple (10-year projected earnings vs. 4-year tuition).

Earnings data comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, which reports actual median earnings of graduates — not self-reported surveys.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Architectural Engineering?
Based on our DegreeWorth Score, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ranks #1 for Architectural Engineering with a score of 72/100 and graduate earnings of $80,481/yr.
How much do Architectural Engineering graduates earn?
Across 12 schools, Architectural Engineering graduates earn an average of $72,122/yr in their first year. The highest-earning program reports $80,481/yr.
Is Architectural Engineering a good major for AI resistance?
Architectural Engineering has an average AI task exposure of 52%, rated "High". This field has significant AI exposure. Check individual program pages for scenario analysis.
Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (earnings, debt), Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 (employment projections), OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs research (AI task exposure), Felten et al. AIOE. Last updated 2025.