Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degree programs are available; however, they won’t prepare you for licensure as an architect. The curricula in these programs includes general education requirements, and you could use them to prepare for graduate study.
Earning a M.Arch degree could prepare you for licensure as an architect, and it takes two or three years depending on your undergraduate major. If you’re already a licensed architect, a Master of Arts or Master of Science degree program could allow you to obtain advanced skills in an architecture subspecialty.
How to pick the best architecture schools in The Midwest? Well, that’s harder than it might seem. It is the Midwest after all; schools are closer to each other, and there is less of a culture gap between schools. The Midwest has always been a crossroads of American culture. Space, light, innovation, and sustainability are the driving forces behind today’s Best Architecture Programs in the Midwest. Learn more about these amazing programs now!
Architecture Bachelor’s Degree Programs in the Midwest
1. University of Cincinnati
For the University of Cincinnati’s pre-professional bachelor’s degree program in architecture, you’ll study design science, urban design, environmental technology and other architectural topics, as well as participate in design lab and architecture studio classes. Three of your eight semesters will be spent in the college’s professional practice program, or co-op, working to gain firsthand experience. You’ll also complete a capstone project in your senior year. The university also offers Master of Architecture and Master of Science in Architecture degrees.
- Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Architecture
- Program Length: Four years, full-time (127 credits)
- Tuition and Fees: $11,000 for OH residents; $27,334 for non-residents (2018-2019)
- School Type: 4-year, public; 37,886 students (26,762 undergraduates)
2. University of Kansas
The pre-professional Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies program includes architectural seminars and history courses. You’ll be able to choose six electives within the School of Architecture, Design and Planning and five electives in a non-architecture area that is of interest to you.
- Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies
- Program Length: Four years, full-time (124 credits)
- Tuition and Fees: $11,148 per year for KS residents, $27,358 per year for non-residents (2018-2019)
- Admission Requirements: Admissions drawing
- School Type: 4-year, public; 27,690 students (19,596 undergraduates)
3. University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
You can enter the University of Michigan’s architecture bachelor’s degree program as a freshman with no previous undergraduate work or as a junior with 60-70 credits of completed courses. Although you aren’t required to submit a portfolio with your application, it is recommended, particularly if you are applying to the program as a freshman. In this pre-professional program, you’ll study architectural drawing, history, physics, design, construction and systems.
- Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Architecture
- Program Length: Four years, full-time (120 credits)
- Tuition and Fees: $15,262 for MI residents, $49,350 for non-residents (2018-2019)
- School Type: 4-year, public; 46,716 students (30,318 undergraduates)
4. University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
You can apply for admission to the pre-professional architecture bachelor’s degree program at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities after you have completed coursework in design, drawing, history, math, physics and architectural fundamentals, usually before your junior year. In the program, you’ll have a studio class each semester, along with studies in various architectural topics. You can also earn this degree in an accelerated format in order to move more quickly into the Master of Architecture program.
- Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Architecture
- Program Length: Four years, full-time (120 credits)
- Tuition and Fees: $14,760 for MN residents, $30,438 for non-residents (2018-2019)
- Prerequisites: 11 architectural fundamentals credits
- Admission Requirements: Portfolio
- School Type: 4-year, public; 50,734 students (34,437 undergraduates)
5.University of Michigan
You don’t need to venture out into the woods to feel one with nature at the University of Michigan. The Rackham Building at the University of Michigan is made up completely of Indiana limestone, topped with a pure copper roof. The other buildings on campus are a mix of ancient and modern to shake up your unified Gothic-styled expectations. So your walk around campus will have mountains, old buildings and modern architecture– what more could you ask for? And maybe you are a nature lover and want to bond with the great outdoors. Go to Ann Arbor. With 1.5 million trees, the City of Trees at Ann Arbor will bring everyone with life.
6. Loyola University
7. University of Wisconsin-Madison
Forget being one of the most beautiful Midwestern campuses; UW-Madison takes the cake as the most beautiful college in Wisconsin. A common place for tourists, the campus rests between Lake Mendota and Lake Menona, and Memorial Union shows off the best view of it all. Grab a snack, get out some homework or a book and take in the scenery. Pose in front of the Red Gym, because it looks like a giant red castle. Fool your friends by making them think you live in a majestic castle land when you actually just sweat your butt off at the gym. Better yet, wait for the winter months to roll around. You’ll wake up with a blanket of snow covering the campus.