Architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
45 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
46
Optimistic
45
Base Case
44
Pessimistic
Earnings $54,334/yr (18% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Medium (23,200 openings/yr)
ROI 2.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #46 of 66 Architecture programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Architecture graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $720K $697K $625K
Earnings Multiple 2.9x 2.8x 2.5x
Probability of Field Employment 74% 66% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 46 45 44

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$247,536
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$132,556
46% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$31,000
6.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,873
38% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $54,334/yr, edging above the $45,895 national average for Architecture — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

An earnings multiple of 2.8x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 46% task exposure — and the 13% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $31,000 debt-to-$54,334 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #46 out of 66 programs, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's financial outcomes for Architecture trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $54,334 to $74,873 shows 38% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

With a 58% acceptance rate, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is moderately selective, serving 5,909 students in Troy, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $132,556 over four years — 46% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Architecture teachers, postsecondary $101,480/yr
Architects, except landscape and naval $96,690/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Architecture at Other Schools

Other Majors at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Architecture program score?
This program scores 45/100 — on the lower end for Architecture. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Architecture to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Architecture careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 46% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →