Architectureat University of Illinois Chicago
Graduates earn $27,525/yr in their first year — about 40.0% below the national Architecture average. Base-case 10-year earnings $701K; scenarios range from $628K to $725K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Illinois Chicago
While Chicago is a world-class architecture hub, the path to a high-paying role is longer and more competitive than many realize. The prestigious firms that define the city's skyline often recruit from a handful of elite national programs, creating a challenging local job market. For many graduates, the first several years involve junior designer or drafter roles, focusing on production work in software like Revit rather than creative design. This period is essentially a paid apprenticeship, and the compensation reflects that. The high salaries listed for licensed architects or managers are achievable, but typically only after a decade of experience and passing the rigorous Architect Registration Examination.
Your key takeaway: plan for a long-term career strategy. You must secure internships at compelling firms while still in school to build a portfolio and network that can set you apart in this crowded field.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Illinois Chicago's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Architecture
How University of Illinois Chicago stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Illinois Chicago
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Illinois Chicago, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Architecture at University of Illinois Chicago
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Architecture at University of Illinois Chicago?
A score of 32/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Architecture. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $627,725 in decade earnings vs $724,607 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Architecture from University of Illinois Chicago?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.