Architecture at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale's architecture program costs $25,000 in typical debt and leads to starting earnings of $43,248—numbers that land right in the middle of what Illinois architecture grads experience. While this places below the national median by about $3,800, it actually outperforms the Illinois state median, ranking in the 60th percentile among the state's five architecture programs. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58, graduates can expect to owe about seven months of their first-year salary, which is manageable compared to many architecture programs.

The earnings trajectory shows healthy growth, jumping 24% to $53,665 by year four. This puts mid-career graduates just above the national 75th percentile, suggesting the program's real value materializes over time rather than immediately. For an accessible institution (90% admission rate) serving a substantial population of Pell grant recipients, these outcomes represent solid middle-class earning potential in a field known for relatively modest starting salaries but steady professional growth.

The major caveat here is the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates in the data—which means these numbers could shift with different cohorts. Still, for families considering in-state options, this program delivers comparable debt to other Illinois schools while producing better earnings than most state competitors, making it a reasonable choice for students committed to architecture who want to stay close to home.