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Architecture at University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
59 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
61
Optimistic
59
Base Case
59
Pessimistic
Earnings $50,917/yr (11% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Medium (23,200 openings/yr)
ROI 12.7x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #13 of 66 Architecture programs Top 25%

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 $787K $757K $670K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.3x 12.7x 11.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.3x 4.1x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 74% 66% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 61 59 59

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$59,400
Out-of-state: $182,508 (4.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,916
-1% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,000
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$79,951
57% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of California-Berkeley's Architecture graduates start at $50,917/yr — above the $45,895 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 12.7x 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 15% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $15,000 in median debt clears quickly against $50,917 in annual earnings.

Ranked #13 out of 66 programs, University of California-Berkeley's Architecture program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $50,917 to $79,951 over five years (57% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of California-Berkeley

Only 12% of applicants gain admission to University of California-Berkeley, reflecting elite selectivity, with 33,073 students enrolled in Berkeley, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Berkeley →

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

Compare this program → View all 66 schools offering Architecture →

Architecture at Other Schools

University of Notre Dame ($62,957) University of Miami ($61,071) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($60,634) Drexel University ($57,730) Ball State University ($57,603) California State Polytechnic University-Pomona ($57,514) North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($57,034) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ($56,708)

Other Majors at University of California-Berkeley

Computer Science ($149,866) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($137,295) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($90,008) Operations Research ($88,685) Mechanical Engineering ($88,497) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($88,030) Statistics ($83,227) Chemical Engineering ($81,553)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of California-Berkeley's Architecture program score?
This program scores 59/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Architecture graduates.
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 does University of California-Berkeley rank so high for Architecture?
The #13 ranking out of 66 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →