Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Project architect education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a project architect. Project architects usually study architecture, environmental design, or architectural technology. 74% of project architects hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 5,905 real project architect resumes to see exactly what project architect education sections show.
The most common colleges for project architects are the New York Institute of Technology and the New York Institute of Technology.
There are also many online project architect courses to help get the education required to be a project architect.
There are certain project architect certifications that you should consider. These project architect certifications include Certified Construction Manager (CCM) and LEED AP Building Design + Construction (LEED).
What education do you need to become a project architect?
What degree do you need to be a project architect?
- Bachelor's, 74%
- Master's, 18%
- Associate, 5%
- Diploma, 1%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a project architect?
- Architecture, 71%
- Other Majors, 18%
Most common colleges for project architects
| Project architect common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| New York Institute of Technology | 10.37% |
| University of Illinois at Chicago | 9.13% |
| Pratt Institute | 7.74% |
| Kansas State University | 6.04% |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology | 5.88% |
Best majors for project architects
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Architecture | 70.6% |
| 2 | Environmental Design | 5.4% |
| 3 | Architectural Technology | 3.4% |
| 4 | Architectural Engineering | 2.7% |
| 5 | Urban Planning | 2.2% |
Best colleges for project architects
The best colleges for project architects are Harvard University, Yale University, and Cornell University.
A project 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 project 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 project architects.
1. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
2. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
4. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
5. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
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. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$12,424
Enrollment
15,201
9. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
In-state tuition
$53,430
Enrollment
5,963
10. Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$52,930
Enrollment
5,030
20 best online courses for project architects
Advertising disclosure
1. Mastering Construction/Project Management
Mastering Construction-Project Management in less than 10 Hours...
2. Construction Project Scheduling
Learn the tools and techniques used by construction management professionals to ensure projects finish on time...
3. Contracts Management in Construction Projects
Contracts Management, Contract Administration, FIDIC, Bank Guarantees, Contracts, Letter Drafting, Quantity Surveying...
4. Master Graphic Design & Software with Practical Projects
Conquer Popular Graphic Design Projects: Logo, Package, Magazine, Book Cover Design, Branding, Digital Graphics & More!...
5. 47 Graphic Design Projects for Photoshop Beginners
Photoshop graphic design for beginners! Includes 47 Photoshop projects for your graphic design portfolio...
6. Construction Procurement Management
A course on procurement designed for engineers new to the infrastructure/construction industry...
7. Revit Architecture 2021 Course - Practical Approach
Learn by building real world projects in Revit. We will build two house modals through out the course...
8. Project Management Master Class: Government Projects
Learn How To Win Big By Always Successfully Completing Government Projects Using Ninja Project Management Techniques...
9. Graphic Design Masterclass: Learn Graphic Design in Projects
Graphic design principles, typography, & color mastery using Illustrator, In Design, and Photoshop. For beginners & more!...
10. Graphic Design Foundations in Canva: Theory and Projects
Learn design theory and practice GREAT graphic design through practical real world projects in Canva...
11. Diploma in Basics of Civil Engineering for Construction
Practical Course to Gain Quick Knowledge in Civil Engineering & Get Entry Level Jobs in Construction as Freshers...
12. Project Management Course: Master Project Scope Management
Practical guide to scope development and management - Project Management Certification (PMP, CAPM) Training [Earn 11PDU]...
13. The Complete Guide to Construction Management
The Most Essential Course for EVERY Construction Project!...
14. Canva Graphic Design Complete Guide 10+ Projects
Learn how to become a professional graphic designer in Canva by creating real world projects...
15. Practical Project Management for Management Consultants
How to manage successfully a consulting project - a practical guide for Project Managers...
16. Project Management: Master Project Management - PMP/PMI
Master Project Management using this practical certification course...
17. Quantity Surveying Building Estimation,Cad Excel & Planswift
Quantity Surveying, Quantity Takeoff, BBS In Excel ,Complete Project In Autocad, Project Planning With Primavera P6...
18. Project Management Essentials
A crash course in the essentials of project management for new project managers...
19. Construction Site Electrical System Design
Learn how to design a safe, flexible and durable electrical system for any construction site...
20. Construction Cost Estimating and Management
Learn the tools used by construction management professionals to ensure their projects finish under budget...
Top 10 most affordable universities for project architects
The most affordable schools for project architects are Florida Atlantic University, university of washington, and university of puerto rico - rio piedras campus.
If the best universities for project 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 project architects.
1. Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$4,831
Cost of attendance
19,559
2. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Cost of attendance
25,275
3. University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus
San Juan, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
11,299
4. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
5. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Cost of attendance
25,228
6. University of Colorado Denver
Denver, CO • Private
In-state tuition
$9,283
Cost of attendance
22,243
7. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$12,424
Cost of attendance
28,501
8. North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$9,101
Cost of attendance
23,600
9. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
10. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for project architects
The hardest universities for project architects to get into are Harvard University, Yale University, and Cornell University.
Some great schools for project 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 project 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
5%
SAT average
1,520
2. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
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
8%
SAT average
1,492
6. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
7. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
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 project architects
The easiest schools for project architects to get into are Portland State University, north dakota state university, and university of colorado denver.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a project 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 project 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. University of Colorado Denver
Denver, CO • Private
Admissions rate
64%
SAT average
1,132
4. Lawrence Technological University
Southfield, MI • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,174
5. Iowa State University of Science and Technology
Ames, IA • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,219
6. University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
1,120
7. Keene State College
Keene, NH • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,053
8. University of Oregon
Eugene, OR • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,199
9. Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,084
10. Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,070
Average project architect salary by education level
| Project architect education level | Project architect salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $78,165 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $77,232 |
| Doctorate Degree | $77,000 |
Project architect education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common architecture and engineering questions.
Search for project architect jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025