Masters in Architecture (M. Arch) in USA is a 2-3 year-long degree. This program is compulsory to get an architect licence in USA if you do not pursue a 5 year BArch degree at the undergraduate level. Students with a bachelor's degree in architecture or related field and English Tests score apply for MArch in USA. The tuition fees of the Masters in Architecture universities in USA ranges between 20,000 to 98,000 USD (16.54 - 81 lakhs INR). The average salary offered to a student with a Masters in Architecture degree from US universities is 112,839 USD ( 93.35 lakhs INR) per year.
Masters in Architecture in USA: Highlights
| Course Type | Full-time, Part-time |
| Course Duration | 2 years |
| Eligibility Criteria | 4 years Bachelor with 3.0 out of 4.0 GPA |
| English Proficiency Requirements | TOEFL iBT, IELTS |
| Tuition Fees | 20,000 to 98,000 USD (16.54 - 81 lakhs INR) |
| Average Salary | 112,839 USD ( 93.35 lakhs INR) |
| Top Recruiters | Gensler, Perkins & Will, HDR, Aecom, Jacobs |
Top Universities for Masters in Architecture in USA
| University | Course | Deadlines | Tuition Fees (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | M.Arch | 15 April 2023 | 55,000 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | M.Arch | 7 January 2023 | 28,795 |
| Princeton University | M.Arch | 3 January 2023 | 57,410 |
| University of California, Berkley | M.Arch | 15 December 2022 | 20,634 |
| Yale University | M.Arch | 2 January 2023 | 57,898 |
| Columbia University | M.Arch | 3 January 2023 | 62,580 |
| University of Pennsylvania | M.Arch | 5 January 2023 | 56,558 |
| University of California, Los Angeles | M.Arch | 15 December 2022 | 33,238 |
| Cornell University | M.Arch | 3 January 2023 | 58,586 |
| University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | M.Arch | 6 January 2023 | 98,800 |
What is Masters in Architecture in USA?
Masters in Architecture (M.Arch) in USA is a program that provides knowledge and experience in contemporary discipline of design . It emphasizes on developing mastery of design with the help of design studio courses. It makes students capable of thinking independently and resolving design problems.
Some of the main courses that are taught are
- Architecture and Urban Planning
- Climate Control in Buildings
- Fatigue in large construction projects
- Hydraulics and maritime technology
The understanding of drawing, geometry, representation, and fabrication enables students to understand the building technology, sustainability, and architectural culture.
Types of Masters in Architecture in USA
There are two types of Masters of Architecture degrees you can study in USA i.e. M. Arch I and M. Arch II. Both the courses reach towards professional excellence.
| Course | M. Arch 1 | M. Arch 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Qualification | Pursued by individuals without an accredited undergraduate degree. | M. Arch 2 is for students with an accredited undergraduate degree i.e. B. Arch. |
| Duration | 2 Year | 2 Year |
In the USA, only B.Arch is considered as an accredited architecture degree, not a BS or BA in Architecture. Some of the universities offering M.Arch 1 degree offer admission to students with a background in design, and others from all walks of life in general.
Difference between M. Arch and Other Types of Masters in Architecture
Masters in Architecture is offered as M. Arch, Masters of Science (M.S) or Masters of Arts (M.A) in US universities. As one can expect, an M.S in Architecture degree offers a more research and technology-oriented focus while M.A in Architecture degrees are more art-focused and generally specialize in design.
Why Study Masters in Architecture in USA?
Here are a few reasons why you should pursue a Masters in Architecture in USA:
- The universities offering this program are the best and top universities in the world.
- 5-year BArch and the MArch are the only two courses recognized by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) of USA for granting architect licence.
- The workforce in the industry with BArch gets an average annual package of 56,900 USD (47 lakhs INR) whereas, with a MArch degree, the compensation is almost double, 112,839 USD (93.35 lakhs INR) per annum.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 8.4% employment growth for Architects between 2018-2028.
Admission Process for Masters in Architecture in USA
A bachelor's degree in architecture or related field and GRE/GMAT score is required to apply to USA universities for Masters in Architecture.
Eligibility Criteria for M.Arch in USA
Minimum academic scores and tests required to study in USA are tabulated below.
| University | Academic Requirements | English Language Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | 4 year Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of science with a major in architecture or environmental design with a B grade (83-86%) | GRE Optional | TOEFL iBT - 92 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 3 or 4 years Bachelors with a GPA of 3.9 (93-96%) | GRE not required | TOEFL iBT - 90 |
| Princeton University | 4 year undergraduate degree | No minimum requirements but TOEFL iBT - 28 (Speaking) |
| University of California, Berkley | Bachelor’s degree with 3.0 GPA (83-86%) | GRE not required | TOEFL iBT - 90 | IELTS - 7.0 |
| Yale University | Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of science with a major in architecture | GRE Optional | TOEFL iBT - 100 | IELTS - 7.0 |
| Columbia University | Undergraduate degree in arts, humanities and/or science | GRE Optional | No minimum requirements |
| University of Pennsylvania | Bachelor’s in architecture or any field | TOEFL iBT - 100 | IELTS - 7.0 |
| University of California, Los Angeles | Bachelor’s degree with the knowledge of history and theory of architecture | TOEFL iBT - 92 | IELTS - 7.0 |
| Cornell University | 4 years Bachelors degree in any field | TOEFL iBT - 106 | IELTS - 7.5 |
| University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | B.Arch | TOEFL iBT - 95 | IELTS - 7.0 |
Additional Requirements for Masters in Architecture in USA
Besides the academic and English language proficiency requirements there are some additional documents that are demanded by the universities for the application:
- Official Transcripts from previous institutions
- 2-3 Strong Letters of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Work Experience (if minimum academic requirements are not met)
- CV/Resume
- Proof of financial funds
- Portfolio
Cost of Studying Masters in Architecture in USA
Pursuing a Masters in Architecture in USA can cost you like crazy. The overall expense will include application fees, student visa fees, tuition fees, and cost of living in the USA. Detailed below are the major expenses required to study abroad.
Tuition Fees for M.Arch in USA
The major expense post reaching the country will be experienced in the form of tuition fees. It ranges between 16,500 USD to 55,700 USD per annum for top universities in USA offering Masters in Architecture.
| University | Tuition Fees (USD) | Tuition Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | 55,000 | 45.50 lakhs |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 28,795 | 23.82 lakhs |
| Princeton University | 57,410 | 47.49 lakhs |
| University of California, Berkeley | 20,634 | 17.07 lakhs |
| Yale University | 57,898 | 47.90 lakhs |
| Columbia University | 62,580 | 51.77 lakhs |
| University of Pennsylvania | 56,558 | 46.79 lakhs |
| University of California, Los Angeles | 33,238 | 27.49 lakhs |
| Cornell University | 58,586 | 48.47 lakhs |
| University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | 98,800 | 81.74 lakhs |
Cost of Living in USA
The United States is a heaven for students seeking higher education but it also has a potential high living cost that one needs to be aware of and plan accordingly. These costs include student housing in the USA, accommodation cost, food and supplies, etc. City-wise estimate of such expenses is provided below.
| Expense Type | Average Cost (USD) | Average Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 9,800-11,100 | 8,13,868 - 9,21,831 |
| Food | 250 per month | 20,668 per month |
| Transportation | 350 per month | 28,935 per month |
| Internet | 45 per month | 3,720 per month |
| Books | 1,200-1,500 | 99,207-1,24,008 |
| Health Insurance | 700 | 57,870 |
Scholarships for Masters in Architecture in USA
Pursuing a course in this country can be a bit expensive. However, many universities and institutes offer scholarships for international students in USA to ease financial worries of students. In addition to universities, there are commissions and organisations that offer scholarship and financial aid to international students based on different criteria, like academic achievements, financial need, and extracurricular activities.
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Award (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Inlaks Scholarship | Indian students applying for a master's or Ph.D. with a good 1st degree from a recognized university and under the age of 30 | Maximum of 100,000 USD covering the full tuition fees, one-way travel allowance, living expenses, and health insurance. |
| Foreign Fulbright Student Program | Graduate students, young professionals, and artists | Tuition, airfare, living stipend, health insurance, etc. |
| The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship | Students from developing countries with no other source of financial help for masters in the USA | Tuition fees and living expenses Awarded on a 50% grant: 50% loan basis |
| AAUW International Fellowship Prog ram | Non-American women pursuing graduate and post-graduate studies in any subject | $20,000-$50,000 |
Placements After Masters in Architecture in USA
Postgraduate students in the field of architecture are offered a handsome amount. Given below is a table comparing the salaries offered to postgraduates in various roles in India and USA. Both the salaries are mentioned in USD to represent a comparison of the offers made.
| Job Role | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Design Architect | 64,718 | 52.83 lakhs |
| Project Architect | 75,609 | 61.72 lakhs |
| Architectural Project Manager | 79,071 | 64.54 lakhs |
| Senior Project Architect | 99,328 | 81.08 lakhs |
| Landscape Architect | 63,622 | 51.93 lakhs |
| Architect (Not Landscape or Naval) | 69,518 | 56.75 lakhs |
| Urban Designer | 61,267 | 50.01 lakhs |
Students having a degree in Masters in Architecture in USA get hired in various areas such as the Department of Railways, National Institutes of Urban Affairs and Housing, National Building Organization, City Development Authorities, Central and State Public Work Departments, etc.
Architect Salaries Per Region
The salary of an architect varies according to the region. Here are some of the salaries.
| Region | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 158,841 | 1.31 crore |
| Connecticut | 150,000 | 1.24 crore |
| California | 146,233 | 1.29 crore |
| New Jersey | 140,135 | 1.15 crore |
| Texas | 136,498 | 1.12 crore |
University Comparison for Masters in Architecture in USA
| University | Harvard University | University of California, Berkeley | Columbia University |
|---|---|---|---|
| QS World University Ranking 2023 | #5 | #27 | #22 |
| Application Fees (USD) | 85 | 80 | 85 |
| Tuition Fees (USD) | 55,000 | 20,634 | 62,580 |
| TOEFL iBT | 92 | 90 | No Minimum Requirements |
| GRE Requirement | Optional | Not Required | Optional |
The projected job growth for architects in USA is 8% till 2028 while the country’s average is only 5%. Thus, there will be plenty of jobs for graduates entering this field in the next few years. Also, many top universities offer Masters in Architecture in USA such as MIT and Harvard University. These are some of the best universities in the world. Thus, more international students are attracted towards the USA for pursuing Masters of Architecture program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques: Is it worth doing a Masters in Architecture in USA?
Ans: To become an Architect in USA, a student must have a masters degree in architecture. Then only they are eligible to apply for the licence to be a professional architect in the country. Therefore, it is both necessary and worth it.
Ques: How much does a Masters in Architecture cost in USA?
Ans: The range of tuition fees for M.Arch in USA ranges from 20,000 to 98,000 USD (16.54 - 81 lakhs INR). There are other costs as well, such as the cost of living in USA.
Ques: Is GRE required for Masters in Architecture in USA?
Ans: GRE Score requirement for Masters in Architecture by USA universities was waived after COVID-19. Hence, it is not mandatory to submit the scores, however, if a student feels that the GRE score can enhance their profile and increase chances of admission, they can submit them along with their application.
Ques: What is the minimum salary for a graduate architect in USA?
Ans: The average salary of M.Arch graduate in USA is 112,839 USD (93.35 lakhs INR)
Ques: Is architecture in demand in USA?
Ans: The demand for architecture in USA is comparatively less than other professions.
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