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Architecture · Architecture Rank #40 of 66

Architectureat Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Graduates earn $43,248/yr in their first year — about 6.0% below the national Architecture average. Base-case 10-year earnings $560K; scenarios range from $521K to $568K depending on AI disruption.

Carbondale, IL Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
46 AVERAGE
47
Optimistic
48
Pessimistic
Earnings
$43,248
1-year post-graduation
ROI
9.7x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$560K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
52% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

First-year earnings of $43,248 track close to the $45,895 national median for Architecture programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 10.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 8% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Architecture career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $25,000 against $43,248/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #40 ranking among 66 Architecture programs places Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 31% earnings increase from $43,248 to $56,459 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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
$521K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score48/100
Earnings Multiple9.8x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$560K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score46/100
Earnings Multiple10.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$568K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score47/100
Earnings Multiple10.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Southern Illinois University-Carbondale'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 Southern Illinois University-Carbondale 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 Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Other top programs at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Architecture at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

What does a 46/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Architecture at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?

At 46/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Architecture programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Architecture at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?

The 46% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.