How Much Does it Cost to Become an Architect? Important Things To Know

The cost of obtaining a good education is quite high. This cost covers tuition fees, textbooks and materials, accommodation and feeding expenses incurred by the students who go to college or university. The study of architecture is no different.

Various schools that offer degrees in architecture do so at varying prices and costs. To become an architect, you must go through an accredited program, have a license and become a member of the Association of Architects.

This program may take 4 years at the undergraduate level and an extra one or two years for those who would like to go for a master’s degree. The more programs a prospective architect goes for, the more cost is likely to be incurred in order to obtain the desired certification. Nonetheless, becoming an architect is not a walk in the park. It takes hard work and a lot of financial investment to attain a height that requires continual learning and progress. There is no room to be static.

The rules that govern schools and countries determine how much it will cost to acquire an architectural degree. In today’s blog post, we will be discussing extensively the question ‘how much does it cost to become an architect,’ including other things you need to know about becoming an architect.

That said, let’s get started!

Things to Consider Before Becoming an Architect

While it is important to ask the question, “How much does it cost to become an architect?” It is also important to consider the following factors:

1. Your Country of Study

This will also be subdivided into two for clarity purposes.

Abroad Versus Home: The location of the school matters in cost calculations. When the location of the school is abroad, there will be a need to calculate transportation costs and everything it entails to go to a foreign country to study. This brings about a cost disparity between those who study architecture in their home colleges and those who study abroad. This also leads us to the second point, which is closely related.

Foreign Student Versus Native: Most schools require that foreign students pay more in fees than the natives. While the difference might not be quite obvious at first, it brings about an inconsistency in calculating costs. Hence, it is an important point to note when inquiries are being made so as to tailor applications to favorable universities or colleges.

2. Scholarship

The presence or absence of scholarship plays a major role in determining the costs incurred in becoming an architect. The availability of scholarships, all things being equal, will surely reduce how much it costs to become an architect. Just like the absence of a scholarship, it will likely bring about financial strain, especially if you’re a less financially stable aspirant. 

If we must answer the question ‘how much does it cost to become an architect’ thoroughly, the factors listed above must be taken into careful consideration. It is risky to give a general cost analysis without knowing how varied the cost of education and architecture in particular is. Speculations and estimations on the cost can be made using costs from different countries and schools, but not without these factors playing a huge role.

The cost of becoming an architect is not just one cost as a whole; it is a buildup of costs from different segments that shape a prospective architect. 

How Much Does It Cost to Become an Architect

The cost to be incurred in becoming an architect comes in three forms, which include:

1. The Cost of Going Through College

This cost is arguably the most demanding of all the costs combined. It entails all of the costs that are incurred by a prospective architect going through the four walls of the college. This cost covers what the prospective architect uses to study and what is spent for wellbeing, without which the actualization of the course of study might not be achieved. This cost is broken down into:

• Tuition 

Just as the name implies, this is what every potential architect must pay for in every session in college. Every school has its own tuition range, running in thousands of dollars, but notwithstanding, there is always a fee to pay from the year of admission to the year of graduation.

• Materials and Tools

This covers the textbooks, drawing materials and every other basic thing a prospective architect must use as part of learning in school.

• Printing Costs

Due to the nature of their course, architects are most often required to use their computers to create models of buildings and structures. These models and drawings cost money when they are to be printed out for submission and analysis.

• Study Trips

For the purpose of practicals and a background to lectures, study trips are embarked upon to give the students an insight into their field. It exposes the students to architectural styles and perspectives, helping them to broaden their minds and creativity.

However, it does not come for free; it comes with a fee that ensures partaking in these study trips.

• Accommodation and Living Expenses

There is cause to consider the factor of accommodation. Be it a school hostel or off-campus, money is involved. Accommodation and living expenses are necessary for a healthy prospective architect. They are a must when calculating the cost of becoming an architect.

Without a place to stay and maintenance of wellbeing, it is unlikely that, as a prospective architect, you will function well enough to graduate well.

2. The Cost of Getting a License

This is another important step in becoming an architect. This cost entails all the examination fees, applications and registrations required for you to become a licensed architect. Using the U.S. as a case study, each state has varying fees unique to it. But the process is almost identical in every state. 

Architects have to graduate from an accredited program, intern under a licensed architect or firm for experience, and then proceed to pass the Architect Registration Examination with the state’s regulatory authority.

How much does it cost to become an architect? The following shows how much it costs to become a licensed architect:

The cost of the cost of the Architect Registration Examination is roughly $1,410 and above. There is also the license application fee, which is roughly $250 upwards. Then there is the registration fee, which ranges from $108 to $400. These renewals may be yearly or otherwise, depending on the state. 

However, this Architect Registration Examination can be higher if the applicant fails the exam. The applicant will be required to pay and sit for the exams again.

3. The Cost of Joining a Professional Body

This might seem insignificant compared to the first two, but it is quite important in its own right. 

A professional association has a lot to offer its members, especially if due process is followed. It creates room for networking and the sharing of ideas among its members. Also, it breaks the limits of boundaries and culture, bringing together people working towards achieving the same goal.

Membership fees vary among countries and associations. However, the fees are estimated at $75.

N:B; Each of these forms leads to a buildup of how much it costs to become an architect. No one should therefore be bypassed if there’s hope of being successfully grounded as an architect. A potential architect must therefore be prepared financially to tackle them all when the time calls for it.

Is the Study of Architecture Worth the Cost?

Architecture is a field for passionate people. Without the passion for what architecture in its entirety portrays, it will be a mundane and unmotivating field, just like every other thing in life. The cost of architecture will arguably be worth it for every architect whose heart is aflame with the intricacies of making structures and buildings that are perfect for habitation and aesthetics.

Now that you know the implications and what it takes to be an architect, you can begin to make plans to bring your goal into reality. Due to the known increase in costs, some schools have made aid available to students. This has helped reduce the financial strain on some students. No matter how high or low the cost of becoming an architect is, it takes passion to persevere, even in dire circumstances.

Conclusion

How much does it cost to become an architect? has been established to be a question that depends on so many variables to get a suitable answer. It is not without doubt that the cost varies amongst schools—public or private. The number of years spent to get a degree also determines how much to spend.

While some people go ahead to achieve a Masters, it is not always necessary, depending on the college attended. While this article may not have included enough cost estimates due to inflation and varying costs in countries and schools, there are pointers towards the needed information to guide you in making informed decisions.

With these pointers and overview, I believe you have been armed with enough information to make the right decision based on your location, your institution of choice, your financial strength, and your strengths and weaknesses in studying [considering the various exams to be taken]. If you can honestly consider the four listed above and tailor your decision accordingly, the cost of studying architecture will not be a surprise burden on you.