I think there was a thread about this earlier.. I searched but couldn't find it.. I can't imagine any firm where the school you went to would make any difference about your salary. Some might consider you a better candidate for the job, but I doubt they would pay you any more money. Salary is generally based on skillset and experience level.

It's kind of like nobody cares what you made on your SAT after you get into college.

Not a lick of difference, honestly. For every firm that prefers Yalies over others, there is a firm that thinks GSD graduates have their heads up their poopers.

I'm not sure about the salaries but if you want to become a working architect IDP and becoming licensed is what you should focus on. I think firms base their prestige off of how many licensed architects they have...not if you have a college degree..because everyone has one

Don't look at grad school as an investment into you starting salary. Really, it's not about that. It's about improving yourself in new surroundings with new peers and new professors pushing you along.

If there are professor who interest you at St. Copious of Bumblefuck University and a studio culture that you really dig, then you're going to get more out of the experience than trying to cram yourself into a Yale yachting jacket. And the more you get out of it, the more complete your portfolio will be and the more confident and clear you will be in your interview. And maybe that'll boost your pay. Who knows?

.mm

One thing that the Ivy's seem to offer in terms of career advancement is powerful networking.