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Architecture at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
59 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
60
Optimistic
59
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $56,708/yr (24% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Medium (23,200 openings/yr)
ROI 11.0x earnings multiple (4.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #15 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 $705K $684K $615K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.4x 11.0x 9.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.8x 4.7x 4.2x
Probability of Field Employment 74% 66% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 60 59 58

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$61,912
Out-of-state: $146,776 (4.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$95,160
-54% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$29,000
6.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,099
31% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $56,708 per year, Architecture graduates from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University earn slightly above the $45,895 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 11.0x 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 13% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $29,000 debt-to-$56,708 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #15 out of 66 programs, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's Architecture program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $56,708 to $74,099 shows 31% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University accepts 57% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with 30,435 students enrolled in Blacksburg, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University →

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) Kennesaw State University ($56,477)

Other Majors at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($96,432) Computer Engineering ($86,636) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($83,364) Construction Engineering ($82,627) Industrial Engineering ($82,437) Chemical Engineering ($82,382) Applied Mathematics ($82,275) Engineering Mechanics ($81,735)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University'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 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University rank so high for Architecture?
The #15 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 →