Best Architecture Degrees in California by ROI
Colleges in California ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in California
9
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$101,678
Across California programs
Average Annual Cost
$57,544
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Grad rate: 85.3% |
+$277,663 | $63,723 | $29,918 | $27,500 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Grad rate: 66.5% |
+$243,432 | $60,596 | $22,672 | $28,000 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
California College of the Arts
Grad rate: 65.7% |
+$184,024 | $66,934 | $78,664 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
University of San Francisco
Grad rate: 72.8% |
+$119,946 | $65,104 | $76,421 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
University of California-Berkeley
Grad rate: 93.5% |
+$97,878 | $56,448 | $42,708 | $15,000 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
University of Southern California
Grad rate: 92.2% |
+$37,148 | $60,793 | $84,678 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Newschool of Architecture and Design
Grad rate: 47.2% |
+$6,732 | $53,865 | $57,642 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Southern California Institute of Architecture
Grad rate: 76.5% |
-$16,676 | $54,569 | $67,014 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Woodbury University
Grad rate: 54.8% |
-$35,042 | $54,702 | $58,180 | $41,750 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Architecture Degrees by State
Browse Architecture programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.