Head architect education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a head architect. Head architects usually study architecture, mechanical engineering, or computer science. 76% of head architects hold a bachelor's degree, and 12% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 40 real head architect resumes to see exactly what head architect education sections show.

The most common colleges for head architects are the Kent State University and the Kent State University.

There are also many online head architect courses to help get the education required to be a head architect.

What education do you need to become a head architect?

What degree do you need to be a head architect?

The most common degree for head architects is bachelor's degree, with 76% of head architects earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 12% and master's degree degree at 8%.

Bachelor's, 76%

Master's, 12%

High School Diploma, 8%

Doctorate, 4%

What should I major in to become a head architect?

You should major in architecture to become a head architect. 41% of head architects major in architecture. Other common majors for a head architect include mechanical engineering and computer science.

Architecture, 41%

Mechanical Engineering, 6%

Computer Science, 6%

Marketing, 3%

Other Majors, 44%

Most common colleges for head architects

Head architects often get their degrees at Kent State University, Missouri Western State University, and University of the Sciences. Here are the most common colleges for head architects in the US based on their resumes.

Head architect common college	Percentages
Kent State University	14.29%
Missouri Western State University	7.14%
University of the Sciences	7.14%
Cairn University	7.14%
Drury University	7.14%

Show more common head architect colleges

Best majors for head architects

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Architecture	41.2%
2	Mechanical Engineering	5.9%
3	Computer Science	5.9%
4	Marketing	2.9%
5	Finance	2.9%

Show more common head architect majors

Best colleges for head architects

The best colleges for head architects are Harvard University, Yale University, and Cornell University.

A head architect with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for head architects. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become head architects.

1. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

2. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

4. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

5. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

6. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

7. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

8. Lawrence Technological University

Southfield, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$33,570

Enrollment

1,991

9. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$12,424

Enrollment

15,201

10. Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$40,651

Enrollment

3,495

20 best online courses for head architects

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Top 10 most affordable universities for head architects

The most affordable schools for head architects are Florida International University, university of washington, and florida atlantic university.

If the best universities for head architects are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for head architects.

1. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

2. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Cost of attendance

25,275

3. Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$4,831

Cost of attendance

19,559

4. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Cost of attendance

21,302

5. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

6. University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus

San Juan, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

11,299

7. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Cost of attendance

25,228

8. University of Colorado Denver

Denver, CO • Private

In-state tuition

$9,283

Cost of attendance

22,243

9. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

10. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$12,424

Cost of attendance

28,501

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for head architects

The hardest universities for head architects to get into are Harvard University, Yale University, and Cornell University.

Some great schools for head architects are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for head architects based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,520

2. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,517

3. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

4. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

5. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

6. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

7. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,512

8. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

9. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,465

10. Barnard College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

14%

SAT average

1,422

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for head architects

The easiest schools for head architects to get into are Portland State University, north dakota state university, and la roche college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a head architect without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for head architects.

1. Portland State University

Portland, OR • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,111

2. North Dakota State University

Fargo, ND • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,170

3. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

4. Lawrence Technological University

Southfield, MI • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,174

5. University of Colorado Denver

Denver, CO • Private

Admissions rate

64%

SAT average

1,132

6. University of Nevada - Las Vegas

Las Vegas, NV • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

1,113

7. Bowling Green State University

Bowling Green, OH • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,084

8. The University of Texas at Arlington

Arlington, TX • Private

Admissions rate

80%

SAT average

1,157

9. Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

58%

SAT average

1,163

10. University of Oregon

Eugene, OR • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,199

Average head architect salary by education level

Head architects with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $88,345 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, head architects earn a median annual income of $86,555 compared to $86,111 for head architects with an Doctorate degree.

Head architect education level	Head architect salary
Master's Degree	$88,345
Bachelor's Degree	$86,555
Doctorate Degree	$86,111

Head architect education FAQs

What is the best college for Head Architects?

Have more questions? See all answers to common architecture and engineering questions.

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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