22 of the Best Architecture Programs in the United States

LIKE

0

LEAVE COMMENT 0

7 min read

Choosing to study architecture is your commitment to shaping the physical world with creativity, intelligence, and purpose. Across the United States, there are many architectural programs to choose from, with all blending rigorous academic foundations with hands-on studio culture, innovative technology, and socially responsive design.

From private art universities in New York to public research powerhouses on the West Coast, these NAAB-accredited schools provide the professional degree pathways and accredited undergraduate and graduate options needed to pursue licensure and lead in the built environment. Whether you’re drawn to digital fabrication, sustainable planning, or architectural theory, these 22 architecture schools represent the best of what design education in the U.S. has to offer.

22 of the Best Architectural Programs in the United States

Harvard University — Graduate School of Design

A cornerstone of architectural education, Harvard’s Graduate School of Design offers a comprehensive, NAAB-accredited architectural program that merges cutting-edge research with a deep respect for architectural theory and history. With a strong focus on interdisciplinary learning and design innovation, the program emphasizes critical thinking, advanced technology, and global engagement.

Students work closely with esteemed faculty and benefit from unparalleled academic resources and professional education opportunities. Whether pursuing a professional degree or engaging in research-based studies, Harvard equips its graduates with the skills to lead and shape the built environment worldwide.

Yale University — School of Architecture

Yale’s School of Architecture is a globally recognized institution offering a NAAB-accredited graduate architecture degree rooted in rigorous intellectual inquiry and hands-on design education. The program is renowned for its strong emphasis on theory, history, and representation, allowing students to explore both conceptual and material approaches to architecture.

With a distinguished faculty and a commitment to studio-based learning, Yale cultivates future professional architects and designers who understand the cultural and social impact of the built environment.

Columbia University — GSAPP

Columbia’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (GSAPP) offers a progressive architecture program that bridges academic theory and contemporary urban challenges. Fully accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), GSAPP encourages experimentation through advanced digital tools, urban planning, and material research.

Located in New York City, the school provides architecture students access to one of the most dynamic architectural landscapes in the world. In addition to its graduate program, Columbia University’s program for architecture offers accredited undergraduate classes and it also offers some online courses.

University of Pennsylvania — Weitzman School of Design

At Penn’s Weitzman School of Design, architecture is explored as both an academic discipline and a professional pathway. Its NAAB-accredited programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels integrate studio-based learning, sustainable design, and innovative technology.

The school’s research initiatives span urban planning, heritage conservation, and digital fabrication—equipping students with the knowledge and skills to lead in a rapidly evolving design world.

University of California, Berkeley — College of Environmental Design

UC Berkeley offers one of the most respected architecture programs on the West Coast, blending rigorous academic inquiry with a deep commitment to environmental stewardship. The school’s accredited undergraduate and graduate programs focus on sustainability, social equity, and urban resilience.

Courses in planning, landscape architecture, and environmental science reflect its multidisciplinary ethos, while hands-on studio culture promotes creativity and critical thinking.

University of Michigan — Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning

The University of Michigan’s Taubman College offers accredited degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, combining architectural design, research, and advanced technology. Architecture students benefit from interdisciplinary learning across planning, urban design, and digital fabrication. With a focus on real-world impact, Taubman graduates leave equipped for licensure and leadership in academia, practice, and beyond.

University of Texas at Austin — School of Architecture

UT Austin’s School of Architecture delivers a comprehensive design education through accredited architecture and landscape architecture programs. The school combines studio-based learning with rigorous coursework in construction, theory, and environmental systems. Its emphasis on regional materiality and site-specific design prepares graduates to thoughtfully engage with both local and global architectural contexts.

Fuel your creative fire & be a part of a supportive community that values how you love to live.

subscribe to our newsletter

_{*please check your Spam folder for the latest DesignDash Magazine issue immediately after subscription}

Subscribe

Virginia Tech — School of Architecture + Design

Virginia Tech is home to one of the strongest undergraduate architecture programs in the country. Accredited by the NAAB, the school emphasizes a hands-on, design-build methodology that blends traditional craftsmanship with digital innovation. Architecture students are immersed in a culture of making and collaborative studio learning, guided by expert faculty with deep ties to the profession.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo — College of Architecture and Environmental Design

Cal Poly’s architecture program is consistently ranked among the top for its practical, hands-on education. Offering a NAAB-accredited Bachelor of Architecture degree, the college focuses on building strong foundations in design, technology, and structural engineering. With a “learn by doing” philosophy, students graduate with a clear understanding of how theory translates into real-world architecture.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology — School of Architecture + Planning

MIT’s School of Architecture + Planning combines scientific precision with design experimentation. Its NAAB-accredited programs emphasize research, systems thinking, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Students explore complex topics across architecture, media, planning, and engineering, making it one of the most forward-thinking architecture schools globally.

The Cooper Union — Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture

With its tuition-free legacy and emphasis on artistry, Cooper Union’s architecture program remains one of the most unique in the country. This NAAB-accredited school offers a singular undergraduate experience, blending drawing, design, and theory in a rigorous academic setting. Students emerge with a distinct voice and deep understanding of both historical precedent and contemporary practice.

Pratt Institute — School of Architecture

Located in Brooklyn, Pratt offers accredited undergraduate and graduate architecture programs in a dynamic urban setting. With a strong foundation in technical skill and artistic expression, the curriculum integrates digital tools, building science, and critical theory. Students engage deeply with the city, learning to shape the built environment through thoughtful, site-specific design.

Cornell University — College of Architecture, Art, and Planning

Cornell’s College of Architecture, Art, and Planning offers both accredited undergraduate and graduate architecture programs known for their rigorous academic foundation and strong professional focus. With a dual emphasis on creative exploration and technical proficiency, the program blends studio work with coursework in structural engineering, landscape architecture, and environmental systems. Graduates are prepared for licensing boards and careers that bridge art and science.

Parsons School of Design at The New School

Parsons offers a NAAB-accredited Master of Architecture program with a progressive lens on sustainability, equity, and interdisciplinary design. Situated in New York, the program encourages architecture students to explore the social dimensions of space, with coursework that intersects policy, planning, and environmental design.

SCI-Arc — Southern California Institute of Architecture

SCI-Arc is known for pushing the limits of what architecture can be. Offering NAAB-accredited programs, the school focuses on digital design, speculative futures, and global discourse. Its experimental studios and interactive technology labs attract students who are ready to rethink structure, material, and the role of architecture in society.

Washington University in St. Louis — Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts

Sam Fox offers accredited undergraduate and graduate degrees in architecture with an emphasis on interdisciplinary education. With a supportive learning environment and strong liberal arts foundation, the program encourages collaboration across design, art, and planning. Students benefit from a balance of creative freedom and technical rigor.

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)

RISD offers a NAAB-accredited Bachelor and Master of Architecture degree deeply grounded in the visual arts. Known for its immersive studio culture and expert faculty, the program emphasizes material knowledge, craftsmanship, and creative process. Architecture students at RISD reflect the school’s legacy of integrating art, design, and practical construction knowledge.

Carnegie Mellon University — School of Architecture

Carnegie Mellon’s School of Architecture is at the forefront of integrating computation, sustainability, and design. Its accredited architecture programs provide a strong foundation in technology, theory, and hands-on learning. With an emphasis on data-driven design and systems thinking, CMU prepares students to engage with contemporary challenges in architecture and the environment.

University of Southern California — School of Architecture

USC offers comprehensive architecture education through its NAAB-accredited undergraduate and graduate programs. Situated in the vibrant design hub of Los Angeles, the school emphasizes creativity, communication, and professional development. Students gain real-world experience and benefit from USC’s extensive alumni network and industry partnerships.

University of Cincinnati — College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP)

The University of Cincinnati’s DAAP is renowned for its co-op model, allowing students to alternate between academic study and professional practice. Its NAAB-accredited programs focus on experiential learning, collaboration, and innovation. The curriculum integrates architecture, planning, and design thinking, preparing students for both licensure and leadership roles. It’s a top art university if your interest in architecture converges with art history, fine arts, or interior design.

University of Oregon — College of Design

Offering NAAB-accredited architecture degrees, UO emphasizes sustainable design, regional identity, and community engagement. With courses in landscape architecture, environmental studies, and planning, the program fosters a holistic understanding of the built environment. The school’s location encourages a strong connection between design education and nature.

Tulane University — School of Architecture

Tulane’s School of Architecture offers NAAB-accredited undergraduate and graduate programs that reflect the resilience and cultural richness of New Orleans. With a focus on social equity, urban resilience, and design-build education, the school prepares students to create architecture that serves both people and place. Its commitment to hands-on learning, faculty mentorship, and community collaboration sets it apart among accredited architecture schools.

Final Thoughts on Starting an Architecture Program

Selecting the right architecture program is ultimately about alignment—between your values, interests, and the environment where you’ll grow as a designer. Consider what matters most to you: Is it a strong emphasis on landscape architecture or sustainability? Access to world-class faculty and research facilities?

A collaborative studio culture or a city-integrated learning experience? Whether you’re seeking a Bachelor of Architecture or a graduate architecture degree, look for NAAB-accredited programs that match your aspirations, support your creative and technical growth, and offer a curriculum that balances art, science, and innovation.

The right school will prepare you for licensing boards, but that’s not all. It will also shape how you engage with the future of architecture and the communities you’ll help build.