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Architecture at University at Buffalo

Buffalo, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $37,622/yr (-18% vs median)

AI Risk High (46% exposed)

Job Market Medium (23,200 openings/yr)

ROI 14.9x earnings multiple (5.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #47 of 66 Architecture programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Architecture graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$660K	$643K	$584K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	15.3x	14.9x	13.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.4x	5.3x	4.8x
Probability of Field Employment	74%	66%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	46	45	52

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$43,128

Out-of-state: $122,288 (5.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$81,880

-90% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$22,536

7.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$62,967

67% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $37,622 place University at Buffalo below the $45,895 national median for Architecture — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 14.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 46% task exposure — and the 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $22,536 debt-to-$37,622 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #47 out of 66 programs, University at Buffalo's financial outcomes for Architecture trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $37,622 to $62,967 over five years (67% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University at Buffalo

A 69% admission rate makes University at Buffalo accessible to a wide range of qualified students, one of the larger campuses at 20,284 students in Buffalo, NY.

See all programs and financial aid at University at Buffalo →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr

Architecture teachers, postsecondary $101,480/yr

Architects, except landscape and naval $96,690/yr

View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Architecture at Other Schools

Other Majors at University at Buffalo

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University at Buffalo's Architecture program score?

This program scores 45/100 — on the lower end for Architecture. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Architecture to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Architecture careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 46% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Architecture earnings lower at University at Buffalo?

Lower starting pay at University at Buffalo may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →