In a significant achievement for architectural education, The Boston Architectural College (BAC) has been ranked as the 4th best architecture college in America by Niche, out of 240 institutions. Only Cornell University, Rice University, and Washington University in St. Louis ranked higher. Following BAC in the rankings are other prestigious institutions, including SCIArc, UC Berkeley, Yale University, the University of Southern California, Virginia Tech, and Carnegie Mellon showcasing BAC's elite standing among the nation's top architecture schools.
This ranking positions the BAC as the highest-ranking independent architecture and design school in the country and the top architecture institution in New England, surpassing MIT at #13 and the Rhode Island School of Design at #17. The BAC is also the most diverse top-ranking institution in the country.
This prestigious recognition highlights the BAC’s unique distinction of combining excellence with access to diverse communities through its inclusive and transfer admissions policy.
President Mahesh Daas expressed his pride in the accomplishment, stating, "The BAC has been known as a 135-year-old startup for its long legacy of innovation, relevance, partnerships, and commitment to social justice. I am thrilled that our BAC to the Future vision and strategic plan has undertaken transformational initiatives in expanding access to diverse communities and has achieved the well deserved recognition for excellence. There is no other institution which can combine access and excellence so well. ”
This accolade highlights the unwavering dedication of BAC's faculty, staff, and trustees in upholding unparalleled standards of academic excellence and enriching the student experience. Our commitment to innovation is deeply rooted in our core values of design, empathy, excellence, inclusion, and resilience.
"While I like to think that the BAC is beyond ranking, this does cement the BAC's position as a counterpoint to the status quo of the typical higher education institutions. At the BAC, we challenge the traditional models of architectural education and continuously reinvent ourselves," President Daas added.
President Mahesh Daas awards an Honorary Doctorate to acclaimed Mexican architect Tatiana Bilbao at Boston Architectural College's 2024 Commencement. Bilbao expressed gratitude, stating, "Receiving such a distinction is both an honor and a responsibility, for which I am truly thankful."
The Niche College Rankings provide a novel and comprehensive analysis of academic, admissions, diversity, faculty, and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education along with millions of reviews from students and alumni. Within this framework, the BAC's dedication to nurturing future designers is unmistakable, and evident in its innovative and inclusive approach to education. The institution fosters a supportive environment where students from diverse backgrounds can flourish. As the first institution to offer an accredited online design degree for over 20 years, the BAC has been a pioneer in online, entrepreneurial, and immersive education boasting the largest faculty body and smallest student-faculty ratio at an architecture institution nationwide.
World-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind receives an honorary doctorate from The Boston Architectural College at the 2023 Commencement. "It's an honor to be invited as the commencement speaker and receive this degree," said Mr. Libeskind. "This will be an inspired generation of architects...with the goal of making the world a better place to live."
Founded in 1889, The Boston Architectural College stands as a leading institution in spatial design in the world. Renowned for its diverse student body representing all 50 states and over 54 countries, the BAC offers bachelor and graduate degrees in architecture, interior architecture, landscape architecture, construction robotics, artificial intelligence, design for human health, historic preservation, sustainable design, and urban design, alongside continuing education and pre-college programs. Embracing inclusive admission, transfer-friendliness, diversity, and innovation, the BAC fosters a community of dedicated faculty and students committed to both academic excellence and practical experience.
Looking ahead, the BAC continues its journey of excellence in architectural education, setting new standards, inspiring future innovators, and embracing entrepreneurship within the fields of design.
Renowned architect, educator, and practitioner Billie Tsien received an honorary doctorate at The Boston Architectural College's 2022 Commencement. Reflecting on the occasion, she noted, "I have long admired the teaching process at the BAC, which combines practical experience with studio learning. Students not only learn to solve problems but also to envision new solutions. It's an education of both roots and wings."
Photo by Raj Das.Join us on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 6PM in the McCormick Gallery for the closing reception as we celebrate the exhibit A Legacy of Design Innovation: Shepley Bulfinch at 150 and Beyond with refreshments, networking, and a panel discussion: Ever-changing Boston: Urban... View full entry
The most popular alumni event of the year is here! Join us for BAC Talks, a full-day alumni symposium consisting of a captivating blend of in-person and virtual discussion panels, engaging talks, and inspiring keynote speakers. Whether you're an alum, student, or member of our global community... View full entry
For 150 years, Shepley Bulfinch has countered the status quo with forward-thinking buildings and spaces of inspired living, learning, and healing. Since its inception the firm’s work has been at the forefront of major social movements and moments. Innovating higher education learning... View full entry
MDS-DHH students take a group photo during Intensives week in the McCormick Gallery.The Boston Architectural College (BAC) was the first forward-thinking design school to launch an online Master of Design Studies Design for Human Health program (MDS-DHH) nearly a decade ago in 2014. “This... View full entry
In a remote region in Pakistan, flanked by some of the world’s highest peaks, sits an innovative university that is working with local students to preserve their region’s cultural heritage and advance scholarly research. Getting to the University of Baltistan, Skardu (UOBS) in the... View full entry
In 1999, Tod Williams and Billie Tsien wrote an essay in the magazine 2G titled “On Slowness.” It began as a lamentation for the loss of the drawing tools of architecture but was really a meditation on the importance of design as a slow practice. Today, the idea of “slowness” is ever more... View full entry
When Haydée Hernandez, M.Arch'23, logged onto Zoom from her home in San Antonio, Texas, a Boston Architectural College black commencement gown, purple hood, and black beret were pressed and hanging on her closet door in the background.The next week she would venture to Boston for the first time... View full entry
If life had gone differently, Nathan Rosazza would have spent his time playing guitar on stage. “I never really cared about school,” he says. “I just wanted to be a rockstar.” He dropped out of high school, earning a GED instead, and worked backbreaking warehouse jobs in western... View full entry
“I give back because the BAC changed my life,” Janet Roche, MDS-DHH’17, said plainly. The Alumni Advisory Council Chair is on a mission to pass it forward to other BAC graduates. “I want to help create a network that is a place for all BAC graduates to return, find help and mentors... View full entry
Octavia Pinckney, M.Arch'23, has seen, “Minorities in this country have been hit disproportionately hard by environmental disasters.” Growing up in Texas, Octavia’s own family was seriously impacted by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. “I understand firsthand what not being prepared for a... View full entry
BOSTON, May 1, 2023 -- The Boston Architectural College (BAC) is pleased to announce that celebrated Polish American architect Daniel Libeskind, an international figure in architecture and urban design, will receive an honorary doctorate and deliver the commencement speech on Friday, May... View full entry
Fulfilling a dream to become a licensed architect can be an arduous process. First, students must earn a degree from an accredited school; then, they have to complete 3,740 hours practicing under a licensed architect; and finally, they are required to pass exams in six different practice areas... View full entry
WATCH EPISODE Fearless, experimental, revolutionary, earth shattering—all words used to describe our next guest featured on BAC Channel with President Daas. Not one to be defined by labels or constrained within any boundaries, Moshe Safdie is an architect, urban planner, educator, theorist, and... View full entry
As a young professional with an engineering background, Carolyn Day, M.Arch'08, was attracted to The Boston Architectural College (BAC) because its educational model would support her studies while simultaneously allowing her to take on increasing responsibility at work. Starting out as a... View full entry
To say that Ines Latorre is busy is an understatement—but she thrives on the wavelength of determination and hustle. The t-shirt she’s wearing in her Instagram profile reads, “I CAN & I WILL.” That’s pure Ines. The founder and principal of Latorre Architecture decided to go back to... View full entry
The Boston Architectural College (BAC) is pleased to announce an original international exhibit featuring works by Pritzker Prize winning Indian architect and BAC’s honorary alumnus Balkrishna Doshi, Architecture is Within Us: The Selected Works of Balkrishna Doshi. Doshi is considered one of... View full entry
During this second episode of BAC Channel, President Daas speaks with noted architect, educator, and practitioner, Billie Tsien, architect of the Obama Presidential Center, founding partner of New York City based studio Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, and the BAC’s 2022 Honorary Doctorate... View full entry
To say that Ines Latorre, M.Arch'24, is busy is an understatement—but she thrives on the wavelength of determination and hustle. The t-shirt she’s wearing in her Instagram profile reads, “I CAN & I WILL.” That’s pure Ines. The founder and principal of Latorre Architecture decided to... View full entry
Boston Architectural College: Just Environments Fall 2022 Lecture Series View full entry
Fulfilling a dream to become a licensed architect can be an arduous process. First, students must earn a degree from an accredited school; then, they have to complete 3,740 hours practicing under a licensed architect; and finally, they are required to pass exams in six different practice areas... View full entry
There are many connotations to the word “home.” In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy famously proclaimed that there’s no place like it. Home is where the heart is, after all, and “Home Sweet Home” has adorned many doormats. At the same time, how can a structure of wood, brick, stone, or cement... View full entry
Jonathan C. Garland, President, and Founder of his rapidly growing Boston-based architecture & real estate development firm, J. Garland Enterprises (JGE), studied at the BAC for more than eight years before graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture in 2009. Despite the endurance needed to... View full entry
Join us for our Mobile Makers Boston pop-up events on: April 19: https://the-bac.edu/events-ind...April 20: https://the-bac.edu/events-ind...April 21: https://the-bac.edu/events-ind...April 22: https://the-bac.edu/events-ind...Maya Bird-Murphy, M.Arch’17, wasn’t happy with the... View full entry
The Boston Architectural College (BAC) announces the launching of its newest video venture, BAC Channel with Mahesh Daas. This ongoing program will offer a series of exclusive, insightful, and one-on-one conversations between President Mahesh Daas and thought leaders from around the design... View full entry
The BAC is thrilled to announce the launch of BAC Channel with Mahesh Daas. We are honored this inaugural episode features President Daas speaking with Professor Balkrishna Doshi–the first Indian architect to win the Pritzker Prize, and one of the greatest influencers in architecture and design... View full entry
The BAC 2022 Spring Lecture Series events can be viewed below or on our website at: https://the-bac.edu/events-ind... View full entry
HMFH Architects, in partnership with The Boston Architectural College (BAC), announced the establishment of the HMFH Scholarship Fund, created to expand academic opportunities for students underrepresented in the architecture and design professions. This new Scholarship aims to increase access to... View full entry
“If you talk to anybody that knew my husband they will tell you, ‘My goodness did that man like to talk about the Boston Architectural College,’” says Maria Latimore of her late husband, Bobby G. Foster. “In social settings, he’d introduce himself and immediately it would morph into... View full entry
Learn how to attend this free virtual lecture, Friday, November 5 at 7PM ET, featuring Yung Ho Chang, FAIA, a founding partner and principal architect of the Beijing-based Atelier—China’s first independent private architectural firm—Feichang Jianzhu (FCJZ). Yung Ho Chang says about the... View full entry
The #BACbuzz blog will help to inform, educate, and share relevant and noteworthy architectural and design news happening within the Boston Architectural College and around the Boston community.
