When choosing an architecture program, ensure the program meets the state licensing requirements, particularly if you go out of state for school. Consider the concentration of the coursework. Some schools will focus on theory or technical aspects, while others gear toward landscapes. Many departments offer hands-on learning opportunities.
By enrollment, the five largest architecture schools are: Arizona State University, Ohio State University, University of Florida, University of Minnesota Twin Cities and the University of Texas at Austin. This enrollment is for the entire student population, not only the architecture program, and ranges from 67,082 to 49,982. The benefit is a nationally renowned university. However, the possible downside is less one-on-one attention.
There are two private colleges ranked highly by Education Portal: Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and Rice University in Houston, Texas. Both offer undergraduate degrees as well as training opportunities for licensed architects. Rice University offers a Doctorate in Architecture, and both schools offer a Master in Architecture program. These schools were chosen because of their overall rankings, rather than specific architecture rankings.
Education Portal offers a further list of 20 good architecture colleges, universities and school in the United States. The list includes the universities listed above as well as: University of Michigan, University of California Berkeley, University of Southern California, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, and University of Cincinnati in the top tier. The list includes both private and public, large and small options for prospective architects.