Best Schools for Architectural Engineering in the United States
These are the top schools for a master’s degree in architectural engineering, based on student outcomes and program quality.
Top Schools in Architectural Engineering
Leading the list is Pennsylvania State University Main Campus, our #1 school for architectural engineering. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 75 architectural engineering degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year.
See the full architectural engineering program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Auburn University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best architectural engineering schools. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. Auburn University awarded about 30 architectural engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their architectural engineering degree from Auburn University earn around $103,273 in the first couple years of their career. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans.
Read more about the architectural engineering program at Auburn University
Students looking for a strong architectural engineering program will find one at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 architectural engineering students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $80,481. Typical student debt for the program is $25,116.
Read more about the architectural engineering program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
A rank of #4 makes University Of Nebraska Lincoln one of the top schools for architectural engineering. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. University Of Nebraska Lincoln awarded about 32 architectural engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,755. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans.
See the full architectural engineering program report for University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Other Architectural Engineering Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Architectural Engineering rankings across degree levels:
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 30 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
