B.Arch > BAS+M.Arch

But, the real kicker is cost.  Take the cheapest option as no architecture degree is worth $100k+ of debt.  Just know that you're not licensed simply because you stuck around for the lenght of the program.  The real work starts after graduation where you start accumulating hours for exams.  Licensing is typically 5y following graduation with some completing it around 3y.

I agree with Non Sequitur... Limit your debt to the greatest degree possible. Architecture is a rewarding field, but typically doesn't pay well, especially in the first 10 years. 

Read up on the requirements in the state you want to be licensed in. Either degree path you describe above will be sufficient. NCARB will quickly become a bookmarked website... 

Best of luck!

This is a tough choice.  You really want to avoid all possible debt, especially for your undergrad.  In general, you'll have more options after your bachelors if you aren't tied down with a ton of debt.  If you're going to be getting that good of a deal for a BS Arch, you'll be able to get a good starting position, save up some money, then go for an MArch when you're ready.   You can choose to go to a different school for MArch when if you want or continue on at Kent State after you're done.  (A lot of BSArch grads like to switch it up for the grad program to get a different perspective, gain some more elite connections, a chance to live in a bigger city, and add another reputable name on their CV.)  BArchs are typically only 5 years, but much more intense/difficult than a BSArch program.

It may help you to look at the degree plans for each of these programs and compare side-by-side.  Look at the number of studio courses, materials, structures, and systems courses required.  If you haven't already, go visit both schools and see if you like each place.  

Both state schools seem to have about the same enrollment and are located in pleasant small towns. I just don't see any 'prestige' for Penn State over Kent State, certainly not $115,000 worth. Both schools have engineering departments should you elect to change your major.

As an aside, I advised the son of an old friend to major in Civil Engineering. He did so at the University of Akron several years ago and is now making close to $100,000 and, more importantly, loves his job. I don't know if he could have done any better if he graduated from an 'Ivy' school, never mind another state school.

My advice: go to Kent State, save money, enjoy your college experience, and be open to everything.

I'd be glad to tell you who to contact to schedule a tour at PSU if you haven't already done that- but money will always be an issue.

$115,000 at 4.5% for 20 years translates into a $727 monthly payment. The total repaid with interest is $174,611.

Penn State is not too generous with their In-state students either charging about $18,000 a year. Other state schools with better reputations (like Georgia Tech) seem to be holding in-state tuition at around $12,000 a year. Why the difference?

I've worked with lots of grads of both schools over the years. Both tend to crank out a lot of people who end up in solid production roles in firms. Of course there are exceptions, but for the most part neither is thought of by most as a school that produces many great design minds, and neither seems to produce a lot of entrepreneurs. That's fine as long as you know what you're getting.  A difference I've seen between the two is that the Kent State people seem to mostly have goals of being production people who eventually become PMs or CA field people, while the Penn State people often seem disillusioned by ending up in those roles. Most firms need more nuts-and-bolts production people and managers than big-idea schematic designers.  One of the most recently let-go person in my firm was a Penn State grad who had a reputation for wanting to pick and choose the tasks he would and wouldn't do - kind of a diva personality but without the great design ability to make that sufferable.  If I were you I'd talk to a large swath of current and former students, see where the latter have ended up, and see how happy they are about it.

Is there really any difference between a degree from Ohio State and a degree from Penn State? US News ranks OS at #54 and PS at #52 in their 'national universities' ratings.

I'd usually say go for the more prestigious school but seeing the numbers you've rolled out, Kent State is a better choice. If you can do BS/MArch combo cheaply, do it. Yes, school reputation matters or can be a factor, but it's what you do and be able to produce in that school that will have more resonance. Graduate with killer grades/GPA and an outstanding portfolio and let that aid you in getting a good job or into a good grad school program (if you wish to go for a specialization after your MArch). 

I was in in a similar position +10 years ago. My aspirations were more design focused but Kent really does prepare students well for the ARE and the technical aspects of the profession. If you want more specialization post graduation you could always explore a more focused MArch program.  

I actually followed the exact degree path you described at Kent State CAED, earning my B.S. in Arch in 2006 and my M. Arch in 2007, and originally chose, like you, based on the cost and financial aid package.  I am not able to speak to Penn State's program, but I can offer an idea of what my career trajectory has been with the B.S. + M.Arch as my foundation, and where some of my former classmate's trajectories have taken them.  I've been working in the industry since graduation, licensed for 5 years - and yes, I'm more of a technical project architect.  By that I mean that I don't drive the design aesthetic, but I take those early design concept renderings and figure out how they're going to become an reality.  This includes, but isn't limited to, selecting materials and finishes that will provide the right appearance and durability, making sure it's compliant with building codes, working out floor plans, finding that balance between the vision and the project budget, finding that balance between the vision and the necessary building systems.  Most of your architects will fall in this category, and honestly, I love being in this position because I am able to have a huge impact on each project, and I do a lot of problem solving.  A lot of the time, my daily activities resemble brain teasers and logic puzzles (which I love).  

It did take me a while to figure out that is where I wanted to be as an architect - when I was at KSU, I gravitated towards professors that were more design oriented.  For example, in a third year studio, we started  a project by doing a dérive (Google it) in Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood and transition that into designing a yoga studio co-located with an urban fish hatchery.  But we also had professors that took a more pragmatic approach to design studios - in once of my fourth year studios, I spent just as much time thinking about HVAC and plumbing system layouts as I did the form of the building.  When I started working is when I discovered the areas that truly excited me about our profession.  

The B.S. + M.Arch structure also provides flexibility for you when looking at grad school.  At the end of 4 years, you have to make a choice - stay at KSU for their M.Arch (which I did), or apply to other M.Arch programs (which several of my classmates did).  If you chose KSU, you can do the M.Arch on the main campus, or at the Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative (CUDC).  I chose the CUDC location.  I have former classmates that chose to do their grad work elsewhere, including Harvard and Univ. of Cincinnati.  I also know someone, that after the first two years at KSU, decided they wanted something more design intensive than KSU could offer at the time and transferred to Cooper Union.

Many of my classmates who completed both the B.S. and M.Arch at KSU are Project Architects or Project Managers, but I have a classmate who followed the same degree path as I did, but started his own firm in NYC (http://kylemayarchitect.com/).  One of the founding partners of WSDIA (https://wsdia.com/) is also a KSU grad.  Pick any firm in northeast Ohio (I'm here: http://rlba.com/), and you'll find KSU grads in various positions from project architects, designers, project managers, and even business development/marketing for those firms.  There are also KSU grad's working at top firms in other markets (https://bcj.com/ and http://www.nadaaa.com/, for example). 

KSU CAED offered me many opportunities to become the architect I am today; though, I think it's safe to say that no matter what architecture program you choose, your time there will be what you make of it.  I wish you the best in selecting an architecture program - as an alumna, I'm rooting for KSU, but Penn State would be great too.  I'm really just excited you're going into architecture - it's awesome!  

Hello, 

As a student who completed the Kent State Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture (2016), I highly recommend the program. In my opinion, it is extremely underrated for the quality of education and level of expertise achieved upon graduation, especially for the amount you are paying (great financial package in comparison to most schools). The program's focus combines design and technical characteristics that are both important for maintaining creativity and real-world skills needed for obtaining a job after graduation. There are several classes dedicated to learning software such as Revit, 3ds Max, etc. that are largely implemented in the workforce. From what I have heard of Penn State and other design-focused institutions, however, students are not taught much of Revit and are left ill-prepared for the job market. There is also a strong focus on design that I felt went hand-in-hand with the technical skills being obtained throughout the course of the program, with strong model-making, drawing, design-thinking and artistic sensibilities implemented.

The faculty is also extremely talented, insightful, and knowledgeable. They genuinely care about their students and make themselves available to assist with any issues or questions students may have. Having gone on to achieve an MArch degree at another institution, I can say that not all schools have a faculty such as Kent's that are so easy-going, caring and insightful. It makes a difference.

I also feel that having both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Architecture on a resume, in contrast to just a Bachelor of Architecture, gives someone an advantage in the workforce even though the two paths are considered equal. I am currently applying for entry-level architecture jobs and I feel that it has worked out well in my favor throughout the process.

On your note about debt... Thinking about debt at the start of a program is much different than thinking about it upon graduation. Make sure you weigh it out seriously because things add up. Kent State can offer you an amazing education for a much lower cost. If you are worried about obtaining a prestigious name on your resume, you can maybe think of saving money for a Bachelor of Science at Kent, and going for another more prestigious school to acquire a Master of Architecture degree. That is what I did and I have been happy with my decision.

Let me know if you have any additional questions. I hope I have helped in your decision process. No matter what decision you make, it all works out!

You’re welcome! So many students stayed for the MArch at Kent and I think most of them are currently practicing in Cleveland and Columbus, though some also went to practice in Pittsburgh. In addition, there are some who went on to get their Masters at UPenn, Temple, Clemson and Pratt. I am currently in the Albany, NY area and plan to practice somewhere on the east coast, whether that’s Albany, New York City, Boston, or Washington DC.