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Architecture · Architecture Rank #14 of 66

Architectureat Ball State University

Graduates earn $57,603/yr in their first year — about 26.0% above the national Architecture average. Base-case 10-year earnings $582K; scenarios range from $538K to $592K depending on AI disruption.

Muncie, IN Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
59 SOLID
60
Optimistic
58
Pessimistic
Earnings
$57,603
1-year post-graduation
ROI
13.4x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$582K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
52% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Ball State University

At $57,603 per year, Architecture graduates from Ball State University significantly outpace the $45,895 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Architecture programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Architecture's typical career paths, with 46% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $28,035 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #14 of 66 nationally, this is a top-5% Architecture program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $62,012 are relatively flat compared to the $57,603 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$538K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score58/100
Earnings Multiple12.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$582K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score59/100
Earnings Multiple13.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$592K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score60/100
Earnings Multiple13.8x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Ball State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Architecture graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Architectural and engineering managers
+3.8% 10-yr growth · 14,500 openings/yr
$167,740/yr
Moderate
2
Architecture teachers, postsecondary
+2.0% 10-yr growth · 900 openings/yr
$101,480/yr
Moderate
3
Architects, except landscape and naval
+3.9% 10-yr growth · 7,800 openings/yr
$96,690/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Architecture

How Ball State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of Notre Dame
IN · Private nonprofit
48
DW Score
$63K
1-yr earn
2.1x
ROI
University of Miami
FL · Private nonprofit
43
DW Score
$61K
1-yr earn
1.8x
ROI
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
CA · Public
65
DW Score
$61K
1-yr earn
16.5x
ROI
Top score
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
CA · Public
67
DW Score
$58K
1-yr earn
24.9x
ROI
Kennesaw State University
GA · Public
66
DW Score
$56K
1-yr earn
30.0x
ROI
Also at Ball State University

Other top programs at Ball State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Ball State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Architecture at Ball State University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Architecture at Ball State University?

A score of 59/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Architecture field.

Will AI replace Architecture careers?

With 46% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $537,602 in decade earnings vs $591,841 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Ball State University's Architecture program stand out?

Ranked #14 of 66 programs nationally, Ball State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.