Master in Architecture in USA is a professional M.Arch that takes 3 to 3.5 years for graduates of any field. For a degree you can enroll in, MIT, Harvard GSD and UC Berkeley lead. If you are reading in October 2026, the Fall 2027 window is open. Most deadlines fall in early January 2027.
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Architecture Universities in USA
Exchange rate: all USD figures convert at 1 USD = INR 95.28 (October 2026).

Table of Contents
Top universities for Master in Architecture in USA include MIT, Harvard, UC Berkeley, Columbia and Cornell. The table follows QS 2026 subject ranks for architecture. All ten run a taught professional M.Arch that an applicant can join this cycle.
| University | Location | QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026: Architecture & Built Environment |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, Massachusetts | #2 |
| Harvard University | Cambridge, Massachusetts | #7 |
| University of California, Berkeley | Berkeley, California | #10 |
| Columbia University | New York City, New York | #16 |
| Cornell University | Ithaca, New York | #19 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | Atlanta, Georgia | #28 |
| University of California, Los Angeles | Los Angeles, California | #32 |
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | #34 |
| Yale University | New Haven, Connecticut | #36 |
| Princeton University | Princeton, New Jersey | #39 |
Note: In October 2026, all ten schools still accept Fall 2027 applications. Early January deadlines leave under three months to finish a portfolio.
The M.Arch takes 3 to 3.5 years for graduates of any field and 2 to 2.5 years with advanced standing. Your first degree decides which track you can join. In October 2026, advanced-standing seats at Harvard, Berkeley and Cornell are still open for Fall 2027.
| Your Background | Track | Matching Schools |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree in any non-architecture field | 3 to 3.5 years, professional M.Arch | MIT (3.5 years), Harvard M.Arch I, Berkeley, Columbia, Cornell (3.5 years), Georgia Tech, UCLA, Penn, Yale |
| Four-year pre-professional architecture degree | 2 to 2.5 years, advanced standing | Harvard M.Arch I AP (2.5 years), Berkeley (2-year track), Cornell AP track, Georgia Tech (2 years), Penn (one year of credit) |
| Five-year B.Arch from India | Post-professional or case-by-case review | Princeton post-professional track (2 years), Penn post-professional programs |
| Applicant who wants a STEM OPT route | Program with a STEM-designated CIP code | Cornell, Harvard GSD (M.Arch I AP) and Georgia Tech document STEM designation |
Watch Out: Harvard's advanced track needs a pre-professional BA or BS in architecture. Penn sends five-year B.Arch holders to post-professional programs. Ask each school how it treats an Indian B.Arch.
Application deadlines for Fall 2027 fall between 2 January and 7 January 2027 at eight of the ten schools. Princeton lists 21 December and Georgia Tech lists two conflicting dates. Decisions arrive in March 2027, and most schools want replies by 15 April 2027.
| University | Fall 2027 Deadline | GRE |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 7 January 2027 | Not required |
| Harvard University | 5 January 2027 | Required |
| University of California, Berkeley | 5 January 2027 | Optional |
| Columbia University | 3 January 2027 | Optional |
| Cornell University | 4 January 2027 | Not mentioned |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | 31 December 2026 or 3 January 2027 (pages conflict) | Not required |
| University of California, Los Angeles | 6 January 2027 | Not required |
| University of Pennsylvania | 6 January 2027 | Not required |
| Yale University | 2 January 2027 | Required |
| Princeton University | 21 December 2026 (to be confirmed) | Optional |
Deadline Alert: Princeton's Graduate School has not posted a Fall 2027 date as of October 2026. Confirm 21 December before you plan. MIT's fee-waiver request closes on 18 December 2026.
Fees run from $45,494 (INR 43.35 Lakhs) to $73,946 (INR 70.46 Lakhs) a year. These are tuition rates for the 2026-27 year, the latest published by each school. Mandatory fees and health insurance add to the bill.
| University | Program | Program Fees (Annual) (USD) | Program Fees (Annual) (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Master of Architecture (M.Arch) | $66,720 | INR 63.57 Lakhs |
| Harvard University | Master of Architecture I (M.Arch I) | $64,000 | INR 60.98 Lakhs |
| University of California, Berkeley | Master of Architecture (MArch) | $47,631 (tuition and fees, nonresident) | INR 45.38 Lakhs |
| Columbia University | Master of Architecture | $73,200 (preliminary) | INR 69.74 Lakhs |
| Cornell University | Professional Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) | $73,946 | INR 70.46 Lakhs |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) | $38,062 | INR 36.27 Lakhs |
| University of California, Los Angeles | Master of Architecture (MArch Professional Degree) | $38,233 (estimated) | INR 36.43 Lakhs |
| University of Pennsylvania | Master of Architecture (M.Arch) | $70,812 | INR 67.47 Lakhs |
| Yale University | Master of Architecture I (M.Arch. I) | $66,660 | INR 63.51 Lakhs |
| Princeton University | Master in Architecture (M.Arch.) | $65,210 | INR 62.13 Lakhs |
Total cost of attendance is far higher than tuition alone.
Note: Fall 2027 students pay the 2027-28 rate, which these pages do not show as of October 2026. Columbia's 2026-27 rate is preliminary. Georgia Tech and Penn show no readable M.Arch rate.
Living costs run from $2,500 (INR 2.38 Lakhs) a month in Atlanta to $4,200 (INR 4.00 Lakhs) in Los Angeles. They cover rent, food, transport, books and personal spending, but not tuition. Your I-20 shows the first-year tuition and living costs you must prove for the F-1 visa. The F-1 visa adds a $185 (INR 0.18 Lakhs) application fee and a $350 (INR 0.33 Lakhs) SEVIS fee.
| City | Universities | Monthly Cost of Living (USD) | Monthly Cost of Living (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge | MIT, Harvard | $3,500 to $3,800 | INR 3.33 Lakhs to 3.62 Lakhs |
| New York City | Columbia | $3,310 | INR 3.15 Lakhs |
| Berkeley | UC Berkeley | $3,700 to $4,000 | INR 3.53 Lakhs to 3.81 Lakhs |
| Ithaca | Cornell | $3,118 | INR 2.97 Lakhs |
| Atlanta | Georgia Tech | $2,500 to $2,800 | INR 2.38 Lakhs to 2.67 Lakhs |
| Los Angeles | UCLA | $4,200 | INR 4.00 Lakhs |
| Philadelphia | Penn | Not yet published for 2026-27 | Not yet published for 2026-27 |
| New Haven | Yale | $2,900 | INR 2.76 Lakhs |
| Princeton | Princeton | $3,314 | INR 3.16 Lakhs |
Note: Where a school does not state its budget months, monthly figures divide the annual budget by 9 months. Health insurance adds $3,764 (INR 3.59 Lakhs) at Yale and $8,206 (INR 7.82 Lakhs) at Berkeley. Offers arrive in March 2027, so plan your proof of funds then.
Master in Architecture in USA eligibility needs a bachelor's degree, an English test score and a portfolio.
Deadline Alert: Take the GRE by December 2026 if you target Yale. Its page asks for scores before the January deadline.
Scholarships for Indian M.Arch students include Inlaks, JN Tata and awards at Harvard and UCLA. Inlaks needs 65 percent or a 6.8 out of 10 CGPA for architecture. JN Tata needs 60 percent and an applicant under 45.
| Scholarship | Coverage | Deadline for Fall 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship | Up to $120,000 (INR 1.14 Crore) for tuition, living, travel and visa | 2027 date not yet published as of October 2026 |
| JN Tata Endowment Scholarship | Loan scholarship of up to INR 20 Lakhs | Expected to open in early January 2027 |
| Harvard GSD international funds (STOA Foundation, Peter G. Rowe) | Need-based grants; amounts not published | Considered with financial aid; no separate application |
| UCLA recruitment fellowships | 1 to 3 years of in-state tuition fees, $26,000 (INR 24.77 Lakhs) a year | Considered with the application; no separate form |
Watch Out: Fulbright-Nehru does not list architecture among its eligible fields. The Quad Fellowship covers STEM fields only. Confirm both with the sponsors before you apply.
Jobs after Master in Architecture in USA include architectural designer, project architect, urban designer and design technologist. The BLS puts the median architect salary at $99,280 (INR 94.59 Lakhs) a year for May 2025. The lowest 10 percent earn under $62,300 (INR 59.36 Lakhs) and the highest 10 percent over $161,420 (INR 1.54 Crore). These figures cover all architects, not fresh graduates.
Watch Out: A $100,000 (INR 95.28 Lakhs) H-1B payment is reported as not collected as of 13 October 2026. Court appeals continue.
Choose a 3-year M.Arch with any degree, or advanced standing with a 4-year pre-professional architecture degree.
Ques. Is the GRE required for Master in Architecture in USA?
Ans. It depends on the school. Harvard and Yale require the GRE. MIT, UCLA, Penn and Georgia Tech do not require it. Columbia, Berkeley and Princeton list it as optional. Cornell's pages do not mention it. Confirm the rule in the live application for your cycle. Every school asks for a portfolio instead, so spend your preparation time there. Indian applicants from Tier-2 cities face the same rules as everyone else.
Ques. How much does Master in Architecture in USA cost for Indian students in INR?
Ans. Tuition runs from $45,494 (INR 43.35 Lakhs) at UCLA to $73,946 (INR 70.46 Lakhs) at Cornell a year. The all-in budget is higher. Harvard budgets $104,802 (INR 99.86 Lakhs) a year. Yale budgets $96,494 (INR 91.94 Lakhs). Multiply by the length of your track, which is 2 to 3.5 years. Georgia Tech and Penn have not published readable M.Arch rates for 2026-27.
Ques. Is Master in Architecture in USA 2 years or 3 years for a B.Arch graduate from India?
Ans. The standard track is 3 to 3.5 years. Advanced standing cuts it to 2 to 2.5 years at Harvard, Berkeley, Cornell, Georgia Tech and Penn. Harvard's advanced track needs a pre-professional BA or BS in architecture. Penn sends five-year B.Arch holders to post-professional programs. Princeton runs a 2-year post-professional track. Schools do not state how they credit an Indian five-year B.Arch, so email each admissions office before you apply.
Ques. Is Master in Architecture in USA eligible for STEM OPT?
Ans. Only some programs are. Eligibility depends on the CIP code on your I-20. CIP 04.0902 is on the DHS STEM list, and CIP 04.0201 is not. Cornell, Harvard GSD (M.Arch I AP) and Georgia Tech document STEM designation. MIT and Berkeley are unconfirmed. A STEM program adds 24 months to the 12 months of OPT. Ask the designated school official for the code before you accept an offer. Do not assume the whole school is STEM-designated.
Ques. Can an Indian architect get licensed in the USA after an M.Arch?
Ans. Yes, through the NCARB route, but rules vary by state. The standard path needs a NAAB-accredited degree, 3,740 AXP hours and the six-division ARE. A NAAB-accredited US M.Arch normally meets the education step. Check that your chosen program holds NAAB accreditation. Foreign degrees go through a separate NCARB credential review. Each state board sets its own extra rules, so confirm them with the board where you plan to work.
Ques. What are the Fall 2027 application deadlines for Master in Architecture in USA?
Ans. Most fall in early January 2027. Yale closes on 2 January, Columbia on 3 January and Cornell on 4 January. Harvard and Berkeley close on 5 January. UCLA and Penn close on 6 January and MIT on 7 January 2027. Princeton lists 21 December. Georgia Tech lists 31 December and 3 January, so confirm with the school. Applications opened on 15 September 2026 at MIT and Cornell, so you can submit early.
Ques. Can a Tier-2 city graduate with a non-architecture degree apply for an M.Arch in the USA?
Ans. Yes. MIT, Harvard, Columbia, Cornell, Berkeley, Georgia Tech, UCLA, Penn and Yale accept any bachelor's degree. You still need a portfolio and the prerequisite courses. Harvard, UCLA and Columbia ask for physics or math and architectural history. Yale asks for 1 studio course and 2 history courses. Your city does not matter. The strength of your portfolio and your English score do. Start the prerequisite courses early, since some are due by 30 June or 15 August of the entry year.
| Ranking | College Info | Top Courses | Fees & Cost of Living | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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![]() #2/261 QS Ranking 2025(Architecture) | ![]() Massachusetts Institute of Technology, CambridgeMassachusetts, USA4.52%Acceptance Rate | MArch Course duration: 42 months Exams Accepted: Duolingo135TOEFL100 | Tuition: $75.4K/Yr Living: $21.3K/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #6/261 QS Ranking 2025(Architecture) | ![]() Harvard University, CambridgeMassachusetts, USA3%Acceptance Rate | MArch Course duration: 42 months Exams Accepted: TOEFL5 | Tuition: $63.1K/Yr Living: $13.6K/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #10/261 QS Ranking 2025(Architecture) | ![]() UC-Berkeley, BerkeleyCalifornia, USA11.7%Acceptance Rate | MArch Course duration: 3 years Exams Accepted: IELTS7 | Tuition: $13.6K/Yr Living: $7.8K/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #39/261 QS Ranking 2025(Architecture) | ![]() University of Pennsylvania, PhiladelphiaPennsylvania, USA5%Acceptance Rate | MS Architecture Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: Duolingo135TOEFL100 | Tuition: $63.3K/Yr Living: $19K/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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![]() #40/261 QS Ranking 2025(Architecture) | ![]() Princeton University, PrincetonNew Jersey, USA5%Acceptance Rate | MArch Architecture Course duration: 3 years Exams Accepted: Duolingo125TOEFL108 | Tuition: $32.6K/Yr Living: $21.2K/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #32/261 QS Ranking 2025(Architecture) | ![]() Yale University, New HavenConnecticut, USA4.6%Acceptance Rate | MArch Course duration: 3 years | Tuition: $72.7K/Yr Living: $19.9K/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #19/261 QS Ranking 2025(Architecture) | ![]() Cornell University, IthacaNew York, USA8%Acceptance Rate | MLA Course duration: 3 years Exams Accepted: TOEFL82 | Tuition: $46.7K/Yr Living: $18.6K/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #16/261 QS Ranking 2025(Architecture) | ![]() Columbia University, New York CityNew York, USA4%Acceptance Rate | MArch Course duration: 3 years Exams Accepted: Duolingo135TOEFL5.5 | Tuition: $69K/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #27/261 QS Ranking 2025(Architecture) | ![]() UC-Los Angeles, Los AngelesCalifornia, USA9%Acceptance Rate | MArch Course duration: 3 years Exams Accepted: IELTS7 | Tuition: $14.4K/Yr Living: $27.4K/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #40/261 QS Ranking 2025(Architecture) | ![]() Umich-Ann Arbor, Ann ArborMichigan, USA16%Acceptance Rate | MSc Architecture Design and Research Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: IELTS7 | Tuition: $83.1K/Yr Living: $21K/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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![]() #51/261 QS Ranking 2025(Architecture) | ![]() Carnegie Mellon University, PittsburghPennsylvania, USA12%Acceptance Rate | MArch Architecture Course duration: 2 years Exams Accepted: Duolingo130IELTS7 | Tuition: $44.3K/Yr Living: $15.4K/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #151/261 QS Ranking 2025(Architecture) | ![]() UC-San Diego, San DiegoCalifornia, USA | M.A Architecture based Enterprise Systems Engineering Course duration: 2 years Exams Accepted: TOEFL80PTE65 | Tuition: $34.1K/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #51/261 QS Ranking 2025(Architecture) | ![]() UI-Urbana, UrbanaIllinois, USA43.7%Acceptance Rate | M.Arch Course duration: 2 years Exams Accepted: TOEFL104 | Tuition: $29.8K/Yr Living: $14.5K/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #51/261 QS Ranking 2025(Architecture) | ![]() UT-Austin, AustinTexas, USA27%Acceptance Rate | MArch Course duration: 3 years Exams Accepted: TOEFL79 | Tuition: $19.8K/Yr Living: $17.1K/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #151/261 QS Ranking 2025(Architecture) | ![]() University of Wisconsin-Madison, MadisonWisconsin, USA45%Acceptance Rate | MS Landscape Architecture Course duration: 2 years Exams Accepted: Duolingo125TOEFL5 | Tuition: $25.7K/Yr Living: $16.4K/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #18/261 QS Ranking 2025(Architecture) | ![]() Georgia Institute of Technology, AtlantaGeorgia, USA14%Acceptance Rate | MArch Course duration: 2 years Exams Accepted: TOEFL5 | Tuition: $35.3K/Yr Living: $17.7K/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #151/261 QS Ranking 2025(Architecture) | ![]() Boston University, BostonMassachusetts, USA11%Acceptance Rate | MA History of Art and Architecture Course duration: 2 years Exams Accepted: Duolingo130TOEFL5 | Tuition: $69.9K/Yr Living: $15.4K/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #51/261 QS Ranking 2025(Architecture) | ![]() Pennsylvania State University, State CollegePennsylvania, USA54%Acceptance Rate | MS Architecture Course duration: 3 years Exams Accepted: TOEFL4.5 | Tuition: $49.3K/Yr Living: $11.3K/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #51/261 QS Ranking 2025(Architecture) | ![]() University of Southern California, Los AngelesCalifornia, USA10%Acceptance Rate | MArch Course duration: 3 years Exams Accepted: TOEFL5 | Tuition: $59.6K/Yr Living: $22.4K/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #57/1502 THE Ranking 2023(Architecture) | ![]() Washington University, St. LouisMissouri, USA12%Acceptance Rate | M.Arch Course duration: 2 years | Tuition: $54K/Yr Living: $15.5K/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||