Architectural Engineering vs. Architecture (Courses/Salary) - Page 2

rosstheboy · 03-05-2007, 04:35 PM

I'm from the UK and leeds University does a year out for AchEng in Penn state which I have heard is really good. Any one got any idea on starting salaries are? and mean salaries too?

I'm coming to Hamilton college for a year before I come back home to study it anyway.

brothel · 10-10-2007, 12:46 AM

I just started my first year of Arch at KU. After hearing all the horror stories about how much they get paid, I'm not sure if I want to spend that much time and not get paid for it. KU does offer an ArchE program, but to the person who asked if they could do both, NO WAY. You're talking about 10 years of school and then internship. I have heard my teacher say that ArchE's are worth their weight in gold, unfortunately they don't get paid in gold. From what I've seen they make a little more than Architects. I'm going to try to get a minor in business or entrepreneurship. I think that's the key to making money. Anyone have suggestions of double majors or minors to go with Architecture let me know.

rick12 · 10-10-2007, 08:31 AM

Brothel, If you want to make a good living in a traditional architectural practice, then focus on your studio classes, put together an outstanding portfolio, and get a job at a good firm that will compensate you properly for your skills. Right now in Dallas, that would be about 40kto 50k starting salary for the best firms. A business minor will not do anything for you in a firm until you get to senior management after 8 to 10 years. A night class MBA might be a better way to go.

On the other hand if you are flexible in what you want to do with your degree, then a business minor would make you a more attractive candidate for developers, program managers, and corporations who also hire architectural graduates. You will not be practicing architecture, but you can make a good living with a reasonable amount of security. There are also many construction firms who like architecture graduates, and they tend to pay a little better; 50k to 55k.

A year or two of studios should give you a better insight as to what you should do.

rick

cheers · 10-10-2007, 06:02 PM

^^Great advice and real world data from rick.

See how you go in your design classes. By third year you should ask yourself if you are one of the best designers in the class. Does it come easily? If it does, then you could probably find success in your own firm or at the head of a design department.

If you are not in the top 25% of designers in your class by your OWN estimation, then that's the time to think about a different career track which might be more lucrative.

brothel · 10-12-2007, 05:29 PM

Thanks everyone for your input. I think design is the way for me and KU is big on studio design. You guys have helped a lot.

SSD · 11-21-2007, 07:21 AM

My husband graduated from the PSU Arch Eng program in 1982. There are 3 concentrations, construction mgmt, structural and lighting design. He followed the construction mgmt path. He has always done very well was always in charge of office, casino, apt building mega construction projects in NYC and elsewhere. Money is extremely good. Now he is a developer in charge of all construction and hires top architectural firms to do the design. He also hires architecture graduates who want to do construction or development.

Artemis7 · 12-03-2007, 04:20 PM

Just joined cause I found this on google; lol.
Anyway, I have been in Pre-med for about a year and a half now and found out that it wasn't for me. I always said that I would like to be involved with houses or buildings as a back up plan. I want to get an MBA for sure, but dont just want to do that... I'm considering an Architectural Engineering Career, or something of that nature. I take Architectural Engineering is like an Architect and a Civil Engineer in one... or kind of? Anyway, I want to be involved in architecture for sure, but I also think the engineering perspective of buildings is very important... I am in Nevada and they have both Architecture and Civil Engineering available, but not Architectural Engineering. I was looking at CalPoly so far and thought it would be great to transfer there as they do offer an Architectural Degree... Note to elf I will probably be in school forever, but I think I can make something of it.
What do you guys think?

sashimi46 · 12-03-2007, 07:17 PM

what about a masters in real estate development/m.arch for your grad? it's similar to a MBA but more geared on what you're interested.

Artemis7 · 12-03-2007, 08:32 PM

I think architecture sounds right for me for now... Idk...

jrum10 · 06-05-2008, 10:45 PM

I am a student at PSU majoring in ARCH ENG. It is a 5 year major with an optional additional single semester masters program. This is an awesome program. They say that by the time I graduate the starting salary will be around 60,000-70,000$. This is high compared to most schools. PSU also holds a AE career fair with hundreds of firms begging you to work for them. AE is the way to go if you want to bring in the money and be in charge of the construction process. Your only problem upon graduation will not be trying to find a job, rather deciding who to work for.

justinj · 07-02-2008, 09:44 PM

after all my research, architectural engineering is basically building engineering. covering the subjects of structural engineering, environmental systems(HVACs, lighting, fire prevention, noise, plumbing), and construction management. and if you compare degree plans between civil and arch you will see that there is not much difference. so i chose AE or CE because of the design classes were more appealing than traffic engineering classes.