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2025 Best Architecture Schools in California

5 Colleges in California
352 architecture Degrees Awarded
Ranked #147 in popularity, architecture is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

College Factual looked at 5 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Architecture Schools in California ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 352 degrees in architecture annually.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Architecture School

Best Architecture Schools in California The architecture program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Architecture rankings. We derive our Best Overall Architecture School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Architecture Rankings by Degree Level

Bachelor's Degrees in architecture
Master's Degrees in architecture
Doctor's Degrees in architecture

The architecture school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Architecture Schools in California. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for Architecture in California

If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the architecture degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top California Schools in architecture

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In CA
128 architecture Degrees Awarded

University of California - Berkeley is a wonderful choice for students interested in a degree in architecture. Located in the midsize city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were approximately 128 architecture students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in architecture from University of California - Berkeley

2
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In CA

University of Southern California is a great decision for students interested in a degree in architecture. Located in the city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #13 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were roughly 7 architecture students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in architecture from University of Southern California

3
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In CA
111 architecture Degrees Awarded

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in architecture. Located in the suburb of Pomona, Cal Poly Pomona is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 60th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 111 architecture students who graduated with this degree at Cal Poly Pomona in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in architecture from California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In CA
37 architecture Degrees Awarded

University of California - Los Angeles is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in architecture. UCLA is a very large public university located in the large city of Los Angeles. This university ranks 4th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 37 architecture students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in architecture from University of California - Los Angeles

5
USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In CA

Located in the large city of San Francisco, USFCA is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 21st out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 25 architecture students who graduated with this degree at USFCA in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in architecture from University of San Francisco

Best Architecture Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Best Architecture Schools in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Washington 831 46
Oregon 587 164
Nevada 354 35
Hawaii 267 16

View All Rankings >

Architecture is one of 3 different types of General Architecture programs to choose from.

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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