Architecture at Marywood University

Marywood's architecture graduates start at $48,650—slightly above the national median but notably below Pennsylvania's median of $53,190. This 40th percentile ranking among PA programs matters because most architecture students attend in-state schools, and you're paying in-state debt ($31,000) for below-state-median outcomes. Drexel's graduates, for comparison, earn nearly $10,000 more right out of the gate.

The silver lining is strong earnings growth: graduates see their income jump 30% by year four, reaching $63,044. This trajectory suggests the program prepares students for advancement even if initial placements lag behind competitors like Drexel. The $31,000 debt load—right at Pennsylvania's median—translates to a manageable 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio, well below concerning levels.

Here's the practical question: Does saving on tuition at Marywood (compared to more expensive PA programs) offset earning $5,000-$10,000 less annually in the early years? If your child is paying full freight at Marywood, probably not. But if scholarships bring the cost significantly below competitors, that math changes. Architecture is already a field where early earnings don't always reflect long-term potential—this program follows that pattern, just at a more modest starting point than Pennsylvania's stronger alternatives.