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Landscape architect and planner education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a landscape architect and planner. Landscape architects and planner usually study landscape architecture, architecture, or urban planning. 71% of landscape architects and planner hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 244 real landscape architect and planner resumes to see exactly what landscape architect and planner education sections show.

The most common colleges for landscape architects and planner are the Ohio State University and the Ohio State University.

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

There are certain landscape architect and planner certifications that you should consider. These landscape architect and planner certifications include Certified Landscape Architect (CLARB) and Certified Planner (AICP).

What education do you need to become a landscape architect and planner?

What degree do you need to be a landscape architect and planner?

The most common degree for landscape architects and planner is bachelor's degree, with 71% of landscape architects and planner earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 19% and master's degree degree at 4%.
  • Bachelor's, 71%
  • Master's, 19%
  • Associate, 4%
  • Diploma, 4%
  • Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a landscape architect and planner?

You should major in landscape architecture to become a landscape architect and planner. 36% of landscape architects and planner major in landscape architecture. Other common majors for a landscape architect and planner include architecture and urban planning.

Most common colleges for landscape architects and planner

Landscape architects and planner often get their degrees at Ohio State University, West Virginia University, and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Here are the most common colleges for landscape architects and planner in the US based on their resumes.
Landscape architect and planner common collegePercentages
Ohio State University13.56%
West Virginia University10.17%
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey6.78%
Utah State University6.78%
University of California - Davis5.08%

Best majors for landscape architects and planner

RankMajorPercentages
1Landscape Architecture35.8%
2Architecture25.3%
3Urban Planning6.8%
4Business3.7%
5Fine Arts3.7%

Best colleges for landscape architects and planner

The best colleges for landscape architects and planner are University of Pennsylvania, Yale University, and Harvard University.

A landscape architect and planner with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for landscape architects and planner. 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 landscape architects and planner.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

3. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,184

Enrollment

30,845

4. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

6. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

7. North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$9,101

Enrollment

23,708

8. Clemson University

Clemson, SC • Private

In-state tuition

$15,374

Enrollment

19,564

9. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA • Private

In-state tuition

$13,620

Enrollment

27,730

10. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

20 best online courses for landscape architects and planner

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Top 10 most affordable universities for landscape architects and planner

The most affordable schools for landscape architects and planner are University of Florida, florida international university, and university of colorado denver.

If the best universities for landscape architects and planner 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 landscape architects and planner.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

3. University of Colorado Denver

Denver, CO • Private

In-state tuition

$9,283

Cost of attendance

22,243

4. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Cost of attendance

25,275

5. Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$4,831

Cost of attendance

19,559

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

7. University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus

San Juan, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

11,299

8. North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$9,101

Cost of attendance

23,600

9. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Cost of attendance

21,302

10. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Cost of attendance

25,228

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for landscape architects and planner

The hardest universities for landscape architects and planner to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Yale University, and Harvard University.

Some great schools for landscape architects and planner 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 landscape architects and planner 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. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

2. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,517

3. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

4. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

5. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

6. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

7. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

8. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

9. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

10. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,448

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for landscape architects and planner

The easiest schools for landscape architects and planner to get into are North Dakota State University, university of colorado denver, and portland state university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a landscape architect and planner 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 landscape architects and planner.

1. North Dakota State University

Fargo, ND • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,170

2. University of Colorado Denver

Denver, CO • Private

Admissions rate

64%

SAT average

1,132

3. Portland State University

Portland, OR • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,111

4. Washington State University

Pullman, WA • Private

Admissions rate

77%

SAT average

1,123

5. South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,149

6. Iowa State University of Science and Technology

Ames, IA • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,219

7. University of Nevada - Las Vegas

Las Vegas, NV • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

1,113

8. University of Oregon

Eugene, OR • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,199

9. Kent State University

Kent, OH • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,131

10. Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

58%

SAT average

1,163

Average landscape architect and planner salary by education level

Landscape architects and planner with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $72,454 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, landscape architects and planner earn a median annual income of $70,883 compared to $70,205 for landscape architects and planner with an Doctorate degree.
Landscape architect and planner education levelLandscape architect and planner salary
Master's Degree$72,454
Bachelor's Degree$70,883
Doctorate Degree$70,205

Landscape architect and planner education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

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