Architectural design is a field that focuses on covering and meeting the needs and expectations of creating living environments via the use of specific tools and, most importantly, creativity.

Master of Architecture in the USA  is challenging and comprehensive, supporting students in conducting analyses, designing, and building based on demands and resources, and preparing graduates for various architecture-related professional activities.

In the United States, the typical cost of completing a master's degree in architecture ranges from 16,500 to 55,600 USD, with a completion time of up to 2-3 years (4-6 semesters).

The average yearly income for professional architects completing a Master of Architecture from the USA ranges from 95,000 to 120,000 USD.

Some Common areas of specialization for students who pursue this degree are:

• Designers of buildings, interiors, and landscapes
• Designer of Elevations
• Consultant in Project Management.
• Specialist in Environmental/Sustainable Design. 

Read this post for more information on the Master of Architecture in the USA and about courses and tuition fees from various universities.

Why study for a Master of Architecture in the USA?

Benefits of studying a Master of Architecture in the USA:

• The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) of the United States of America recognizes two courses for providing architect licenses: the five-year BArch and the MArch.
• A BArch degree earns an average annual salary of 56,900 USD in the business, whereas a MArch degree earns nearly double that amount, 110,000 USD annually.
• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, architect employment is expected to expand by 8.4 per cent between 2018 and 2028.
• According to the AIA Compensation Report, the average yearly income of architects climbed by 6.2 per cent from 2017 to 2019.

Top Universities for Master of Architecture in the USA: Global Ranking

Universities all around the United States have contributed significantly to students' success in preparation. Most of the top universities in the world are located in the USA, with MIT at the top of the list. 

Universities in the United States are routinely ranked as among the greatest in the world. Education quality and academic achievement are two critical factors that have contributed to the United States becoming one of the most popular study destinations in the world. Some of the best universities in the world that lie on top regarding Master of Architecture are included below, along with their QS world rankings.

QS World University Ranking by Subject 2023

Among the top Universities in the USA for a master of Architecture, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard University and the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) lie among the top 10 Universities in the World with the best education and reputation.

Master of Architecture in the USA: Program and Course Duration

Here is a compiled list of Programs and Course duration for the Master of Architecture at Top Universities in the USA.

Bachelor of Architecture in USA

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Master of Architecture in the USA: Tuition Fees

Top American universities that offer Master of Architecture courses with fees are as follows:

Master of Architecture in the USA: Entry Requirement

Following are the general requirements for pursuing a Master of Architecture in the USA.

• A bachelor's degree in architecture or a closely related design field is required.
• Most universities demand GMAT or GRE results.
• A CV or resume is required.
• Proof of English language proficiency proof through IELTS or TOEFL test scores. 
• SOP or Statement of Purpose is essential for universities.
• LOR or Letter of Recommendation, depending upon institutional requirements. 

In the USA, many universities also have distinct entry exams for M. Arch programs, and the requirements vary from University to University per their own rules and regulations..

The Entry Requirements for international students, according to universities, are as follows:

Harvard University

Academic Requirements

• A 4 bachelor's in the arts or sciences or in any sector (architecture or other). Or a well-rounded college education encompassing arts, sciences, and humanities coursework.
• The M. Arch-1 program consists of one semester of calculus, one semester of physics (algebra-based, encompassing mechanics and thermodynamics), and two semesters of architecture history (together covering Renaissance through Modern periods at minimum).
• GRE Required.

 English language requirements

• TOEFL: 90.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Academic Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree with outstanding academic status; from a recognized university or equivalent.
• One semester of excellent college-level mathematics study (algebra, geometry, trigonometry, pre-calculus, calculus).
• One semester of acceptable natural science study at the college level (such as physics, biology, or chemistry)
• Two semesters of competent study in the humanities and social sciences at the collegiate level
• Applicants holding a four-year undergraduate degree in architecture from another institution may be accepted with advanced entry to the course and graduate in 2.5 years.

• GRE: 316 or more

 English language requirements

• TOEFL: Minimum 90, recommended 100.
• IELTS: Minimum 7, recommended 7.5.
• SAT: Above 1500.
• ACT: Above 35.

University of Texas at Austin (UTA)

Academic Requirements

• CGPA = 3.00
• a bachelor's from a nationally approved US college or a similar degree from an international academic institution.
• Comparable degrees: MA/MSc/MCom or a four-year bachelor's degree.
• A minimum grade-point average, GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), or equivalent.
• GPA in upper-division work (junior and senior-level courses) and previous graduate work are also necessary.
• Prerequisites: Calculus and Physics (non-calculus).

 English language requirements

• TOEFL: Minimum 79, recommended 100.
• IELTS: Minimum 7, recommended 7.5.

University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)

Academic Requirements

• CGPA = 3/0 / GMAT: 715
• A bachelor's degree or the acknowledged equivalent from an accredited university is required.
• An excellent academic record, typically a grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale; and
• Adequate undergraduate education.

 English language requirements

• TOEFL: 80-90/120.
• IELTS: 7/9.

University of Michigan – Ann Arbor

Academic Requirements

• GMAT: 708.
• Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in architecture or its equivalent.

English language requirements

• TOEFL: 90.
• IELTS: 7/9 overall.

Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)

Academic Requirements

• GRE required.
• Equal to a four-year bachelor's degree from a nationally recognized university in the United States.
• B.Arch degrees or equivalent degrees in associated areas of architecture or engineering with research-based expertise are required.

English language requirements

• TOEFL: 100/120, with a minimum score of 20 in each section.
• IELTS: 6.5/9, with a minimum of 5.5 in each test band.

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Academic Requirements

• a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a foreign country.
• Accepts submissions from students from a variety of backgrounds.
• GRE

English language requirements

• IELTS: 79, with a minimum of 6.5 in each section.

Cornell University

Academic Requirements

• Bachelors in a related field; GRE.

English language requirements:

• TOEFL: minimum 100 (internet-based)/ 600 (paper-based).
• IELTS: 7.5/9, with a minimum of 7 in each section.

University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)

Academic Requirements

• A 3.3 GPA is required for an undergraduate architecture major.
• One college-level physics course is required; two college-level physics courses are recommended; one college-level calculus course; and a general grasp of Western architectural history as demonstrated.
• As well as completing at least two semesters of college-level design studio courses, Architecture should be one of these design firms.

English language requirements:

• TOEFL: minimum 100.
• IELTS: 7.5/9, with a minimum of 7 in each section.

Columbia University

Academic Requirements

• a bachelor's degree from an approved college or university
• at their undergraduate university, a minimum of 45 credit hours of general studies in the arts, humanities, and science
• Applicants with no prior architectural experience must take a course in architectural graphic presentation.

English language requirements:

• GMAT: 715

• TOEFL: 600 on paper-and-pencil test or 100 on internet-based test
• IELTS: Overall 7.5 Bands
• DET: 120

Stanford University

Academic Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in engineering or medicine, or a four-year bachelor's degree, is required. (It should be noted that a three-year bachelor's degree in any discipline is not regarded as adequate for graduate study at Stanford.)
• Following a three-year bachelor's degree, a two-year master's degree is necessary.
• Degrees must be supported by authentic diploma copies or conferral statements on academic records.

English language requirements:

• Students may be required to take the English Placement Test upon arrival.
• TOEFL: 89 internet-based tests
• IELTS: Overall, 6.5 Bands

Master of Architecture in the USA: Scholarships

A course in the United States can be costly. However, many universities and institutes in the United States provide scholarships to international students to assist and reduce financial difficulties. University scholarships and grants have reached 25% at some campuses. Only MIT, with stringent admissions standards, offers 25-50 percent scholarships among premier universities. The following are some of the most popular university-specific scholarships for international students in the United States.

Another area where international students can look for funding is the local government and nonprofit organizations. In addition to universities, some commissions and organizations provide financial aid and scholarships to international students based on various factors, including their academic standing, financial need, and extracurricular involvement.

Scholarship with amount and university names:

MIT provides 6 out of 10 students with a scholarship of US$ 22 647, which is yet another way to aid the financial support required to get a degree from a public school. Additionally, if a family's yearly income is much less than $90,000, it helps individuals by covering the tuition fees.

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Scope of Master of Architecture in the USA

In the USA, those with a Master's in architecture can find work in various public and private organizations. Graduates with a Master of Science in Architecture are employed by public institutions such as the National Building Organization, the National Institute of Urban Affairs and Housing, the Department of Railways, City Development Authorities, the State Public Works Department, the Central Public Works Department, and others. In the USA, postgraduate architecture students start with high incomes. 

According to statistics, there are approximately 1.1 million international students in the United States, representing every country globally. With a degree in Master of Architecture in the USA, students can pursue various job paths ranging from developer to project manager with an attractive salary ranging from 50,000 to 80,000 USD per annum.

Some of the Jobs are:

• Design Architect
• Project Architect
• Project Manager, Architect
• Senior Project Architect
• Landscape Architect

Employers hiring Master of Architecture in the USA 

The expected job growth for architects in the USA is 8 % throughout the year 2028. Therefore, graduates who pursue this sector in the next few years will have no difficulty finding employment. In the US, several renowned universities, like MIT and Harvard University, offer master's degrees in architecture. These institutions rank among the top in the world. As a result, more foreign students are drawn to the United States to enroll in Masters of Architecture programs.