Architecture at The University of Texas at San Antonio

UTSA's architecture program graduates enter the workforce earning $39,181—significantly below both the national median ($47,046) and trailing flagship UT Austin by over $17,000. While this places the program in the 40th percentile among Texas architecture schools, the moderate $23,000 debt load (matching the state median) creates a manageable 0.59 debt-to-earnings ratio that's more favorable than many architecture programs nationally.

The 24% earnings growth over four years brings graduates to $48,664, which actually exceeds the national median and narrows the gap with peer programs. This trajectory suggests UTSA graduates build competitive skills even if initial placement is slower. With 42% of students receiving Pell grants, this program appears to serve as a genuine pathway into architecture for students who might not access flagship programs, and the debt burden won't derail that entry.

For families choosing between Texas architecture schools based primarily on cost, UTSA delivers a workable proposition: you'll start behind UT Austin or Houston graduates, but the debt is reasonable enough that you can absorb those early lean years. If your child has stronger credentials that could earn admission to UT Austin or Texas A&M, the earnings premium there justifies the effort. But for students targeting an accessible route into architecture without overwhelming debt, UTSA's combination of high admission rates and controlled borrowing makes practical sense.