I'm curious to hear about the reputation of the schools and students in 2022. Plus any firsthand knowledge of how graduates perform out in the real world!
I've read that RISD has a higher ROI (return-on-investment) compared to other M.Arch programs; MIT's reputation precedes it, but I can't find many graduates to speak to; and IIT almost seems worth it just to experience the campus and city of Chicago.
What do you think are the pro's and con's of each program?
Non Sequitur
Mar 10, 22 3:32 pm
The only ROI on architecture school is when you pay no tuition.
nicetomeetyou
Mar 10, 22 3:35 pm
Ha! Yeah I believe it. Though I figure with the right attitude and an entrepreneurial bent, I'll find out how to make the finances work to pursue a career I feel proud of.
That study is interesting but it's pretty silly. The value you have to an office is not determined by the school (and tuition bill) you graduate from. Value is achieved with real experience gained while actually designing real buildings with real clients. Anyways, you'll find better info if you compare tuition costs with reported entry-level salaries. Use this https://salaries.archinect.com/ and filter with unlicensed and sub 3y experience to see where your ROI get you.
nicetomeetyou
Mar 10, 22 3:57 pm
wow! that is an incredible resource. Thank you so much for sharing.
nicetomeetyou
Mar 10, 22 3:58 pm
It looks like
nicetomeetyou
Mar 10, 22 4:10 pm
It looks like I could expect to save ~$145,000 in my first 5 years as an unlicensed architecture grad. That's enough to cover loans and then some. After that, it is a lifetime of enjoyable work and a net profit to my savings account.
This $145k profit assumes: Year 0 - 2 income at $48k Year 3-5 income at $60k 20% annual taxes $20k annual rent / food expenditure
Non Sequitur
Mar 10, 22 4:26 pm
so you'll save 100% of your net income after rent? That's not how it works.
nicetomeetyou
Mar 10, 22 5:03 pm
Of course not!
This is just a back of the envelope calculation and the annual income is a conservative estimate. Just meant to demonstrate it is not unreasonable to earn a positive ROI on a master's degree in architecture, since a lot of the commentary on this website seems to speak to the opposite.
frank2022
Mar 10, 22 9:22 pm
@gehrypleasedtomeetyou congratulations on all your acceptances! Do you mind sharing when you heard from MIT?
nicetomeetyou
Mar 11, 22 7:08 am
Hey frank, I am doing a bit of projecting. I haven't actually heard from MIT yet, since they do not release admission decisions until April 1st. But if I act like I got in, maybe they'll really say yes!
nicetomeetyou
Mar 11, 22 7:09 am
I figured I would rather make this thread once and gather people's opinions than have to make a second thread if MIT accepts me. Sorry for the confusion!
reallynotmyname
Mar 11, 22 10:23 am
Living on only $1,666 a month is going to be difficult in a lot of cities in the USA. The places where it's actually possible will tend to not have many good architecture jobs.
nicetomeetyou
Mar 11, 22 11:25 am
Hey, totally agree. $1,666 is quite low. But a $48k annual salary is ~$3,300/month after taxes. Lop off another $1,500 per month for rent and then we're living on a cool $1,800 per month. Of course, food is a necessity. As is healthcare, car insurance, dental, vision, utilities, phone etc. Gas, maybe, depending on local situation. Ideal? No. But I think it is endurable long enough to get a license and then start making closer to $70k / annually, which is getting into that range where you can have a proper, financially-stable life. Sure, not the richest person by far, but more than enough for a family, partner, good food, and occasional trips, and still doing better than many others on this planet. All that, and you get to spend maybe 10 - 15% of your time actually designing buildings? Pretty good deal!
dougy99
Mar 11, 22 1:07 pm
I like the way you think, gehrypleasetomeetyou
Non Sequitur
Mar 11, 22 1:11 pm
Gehry... how long do you think it take to get a license? How much do you know about the profession?
nicetomeetyou
Mar 12, 22 1:04 pm
So I'll be 24 when I start grad school. 27 when I get out. Licensed by 30 after 3 years of IDP hours and ARE licensure
testing.
Non Sequitur
Mar 12, 22 2:43 pm
3y IDP if lucky.
nicetomeetyou
Mar 20, 22 8:59 pm
Hey, got to set ambitious plans right?! if I come up short and get it done in 4 years, that's still a license to practice!
reallynotmyname
Mar 12, 22 5:48 pm
What kind of firm do you plan to work in?
nicetomeetyou
Mar 20, 22 8:58 pm
Still a lot to learn and decide on before then! Currently I work for a smaller general contracting firm as the in-house unlicensed framing planner. It is quite rewarding, both generally and financially, and a big reason why I am pursuing M.Arch / Licensure.
I'd like to start my own firm as soon as possible after gaining a license, but I do intend to work for a medium-to-large sized firm in a metropolitan zone, such as NYC, Chicago, Boston, SF, LA, etc. for my IDP years to see how architecture works "at scale".
I'm curious to hear about the reputation of the schools and students in 2022. Plus any firsthand knowledge of how graduates perform out in the real world!
I've read that RISD has a higher ROI (return-on-investment) compared to other M.Arch programs; MIT's reputation precedes it, but I can't find many graduates to speak to; and IIT almost seems worth it just to experience the campus and city of Chicago.
What do you think are the pro's and con's of each program?
The only ROI on architecture school is when you pay no tuition.
Ha! Yeah I believe it. Though I figure with the right attitude and an entrepreneurial bent, I'll find out how to make the finances work to pursue a career I feel proud of.
This is the ROI study I was referencing: https://thirtybyforty.com/what...
That study is interesting but it's pretty silly. The value you have to an office is not determined by the school (and tuition bill) you graduate from. Value is achieved with real experience gained while actually designing real buildings with real clients. Anyways, you'll find better info if you compare tuition costs with reported entry-level salaries. Use this https://salaries.archinect.com/ and filter with unlicensed and sub 3y experience to see where your ROI get you.
wow! that is an incredible resource. Thank you so much for sharing.
It looks like
It looks like I could expect to save ~$145,000 in my first 5 years as an unlicensed architecture grad. That's enough to cover loans and then some. After that, it is a lifetime of enjoyable work and a net profit to my savings account.
This $145k profit assumes:
Year 0 - 2 income at $48k
Year 3-5 income at $60k
20% annual taxes
$20k annual rent / food expenditure
so you'll save 100% of your net income after rent? That's not how it works.
Of course not!
This is just a back of the envelope calculation and the annual income is a conservative estimate. Just meant to demonstrate it is not unreasonable to earn a positive ROI on a master's degree in architecture, since a lot of the commentary on this website seems to speak to the opposite.
@gehrypleasedtomeetyou congratulations on all your acceptances! Do you mind sharing when you heard from MIT?
Hey frank, I am doing a bit of projecting. I haven't actually heard from MIT yet, since they do not release admission decisions until April 1st. But if I act like I got in, maybe they'll really say yes!
I figured I would rather make this thread once and gather people's opinions than have to make a second thread if MIT accepts me. Sorry for the confusion!
Living on only $1,666 a month is going to be difficult in a lot of cities in the USA. The places where it's actually possible will tend to not have many good architecture jobs.
Hey, totally agree. $1,666 is quite low. But a $48k annual salary is ~$3,300/month after taxes. Lop off another $1,500 per month for rent and then we're living on a cool $1,800 per month. Of course, food is a necessity. As is healthcare, car insurance, dental, vision, utilities, phone etc. Gas, maybe, depending on local situation. Ideal? No. But I think it is endurable long enough to get a license and then start making closer to $70k / annually, which is getting into that range where you can have a proper, financially-stable life. Sure, not the richest person by far, but more than enough for a family, partner, good food, and occasional trips, and still doing better than many others on this planet. All that, and you get to spend maybe 10 - 15% of your time actually designing buildings? Pretty good deal!
I like the way you think, gehrypleasetomeetyou
Gehry... how long do you think it take to get a license? How much do you know about the profession?
So I'll be 24 when I start grad school. 27 when I get out. Licensed by 30 after 3 years of IDP hours and ARE licensure testing.
3y IDP if lucky.
Hey, got to set ambitious plans right?! if I come up short and get it done in 4 years, that's still a license to practice!
What kind of firm do you plan to work in?
Still a lot to learn and decide on before then! Currently I work for a smaller general contracting firm as the in-house unlicensed framing planner. It is quite rewarding, both generally and financially, and a big reason why I am pursuing M.Arch / Licensure. I'd like to start my own firm as soon as possible after gaining a license, but I do intend to work for a medium-to-large sized firm in a metropolitan zone, such as NYC, Chicago, Boston, SF, LA, etc. for my IDP years to see how architecture works "at scale".