According to the 2011 DesignIntelligence rankings, which are the most popularly referenced and highly regarded, the top ten architecture programs are, in order from number 1 to number 10: Cornell University, Syracuse University, Rice University, California Polytechnic, Virginia Polytechnic, Southern California Institute of Architecture, Carnegie Mellon, University of Texas at Austin, Pratt University and the University of Southern California (USC). A variety of factors inform these rankings, including technological advancements, faculty and what kinds of jobs students are attaining after graduating.
Graduate programs, where students who already have a bachelor's degree can study for a master's degree in architecture, follow many of the same criteria for rankings. The top 10 graduate programs, listed in order, are University of Michigan, Harvard University, Yale University, Columbia University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cornell University, University of Cincinnati, University of Pennsylvania, Washington University in St. Louis and University of California at Berkeley.
Architects need to focus on a number of specific categories. For analysis and planning, University of Michigan and Harvard University hold their number 1 and 2 spots. Harvard also comes in first for the area of communication. In a technologically advancing world, computer applications are incredibly important; first and second in this area are MIT and Southern California Institute of Architecture. Finally, Harvard holds the number 1 spot for both design and research and theory.
Of course, reputation holds weight when it comes to viewing different schools. Many architects admire certain schools more than others, based on their history or rigor. The most admired undergraduate programs include Auburn University, Cornell University and Virginia Polytechnic Institute. For graduate programs, the most admired schools are Harvard, Yale and MIT.