Architectural Sciences and Technology at California College of the Arts

California's architectural technology programs typically produce first-year earnings around $47,900, and that's roughly where this program appears to land based on peer institutions across the state. With estimated debt of $30,800, you're looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.64—meaning graduates would owe about eight months of their first-year salary. That's manageable compared to many design fields, though not exceptional.

The challenge is that architecture-adjacent fields often require long paths to full licensure and earning power, and starting at under $48,000 in expensive San Francisco makes those early years financially tight. Top programs in California like Cal Poly SLO show graduates earning $58,600 right away—nearly $11,000 more annually—which compounds significantly over a career. The question becomes whether CCA's specific strengths in design culture and Bay Area connections offset that earnings gap for your child's particular goals.

If your child is committed to architectural technology and values CCA's creative environment, the debt load won't be crushing. But if they're flexible about schools or unsure about the field, programs with stronger reported outcomes might offer more financial security during those critical early career years when architectural professionals are often underpaid relative to their education.