<p>I live in Florida and am going to major in architecture. I researched the top undergrad programs in the nation and California Polytechnic was ranked 4th. The downside to it is out of state tuition, and I cannot receive money from a Bright Futures scholarship. It’s a scholarship that will pay $75/credit hour. Is it worth going to Cal Poly for $35000 in total costs, or should I stay in Florida and only have to pay $19000 total(Before Bright futures deduction) at UF?</p>
<p>According to [NAAB:</a> Schools Database](<a href=“http://www.naab.org/schools/results.aspx?vSchoolYMGHFREschool_name=&vSchoolYMGHFREState=FL&startrec=1&searchtype=A&nextbttn=Search&union=AND]NAAB:”>http://www.naab.org/schools/results.aspx?vSchoolYMGHFREschool_name=&vSchoolYMGHFREState=FL&startrec=1&searchtype=A&nextbttn=Search&union=AND) , Florida public schools with NAAB-accredited bachelor’s degree programs in architecture are Florida A&M and Florida Atlantic. University of Florida has a master’s degree program in architecture, as do Florida International and South Florida.</p>
<p>Full list of NAAB-accredited bachelor’s degree programs in architecture here: [NAAB:</a> Schools Database](<a href=“http://www.naab.org/schools/results.aspx?vSchoolYMGHFREschool_name=&vSchoolYMGHFREState=&tSchool_Degree_OfferedYMGHFREprogram_type_id=1&startrec=1&searchtype=A&nextbttn=Search&union=AND]NAAB:”>http://www.naab.org/schools/results.aspx?vSchoolYMGHFREschool_name=&vSchoolYMGHFREState=&tSchool_Degree_OfferedYMGHFREprogram_type_id=1&startrec=1&searchtype=A&nextbttn=Search&union=AND)</p>
<p>You may want to ask on [Architecture</a> Major - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/architecture-major/]Architecture”>Architecture Major - College Confidential Forums) about bachelor’s versus master’s degree programs and how important NAAB accreditation is. Note that many bachelor’s degree programs in architecture are 5 years long (i.e. an extra year of costs), so compare the costs with going to an inexpensive in-state public university with Bright Futures on that basis, or to an in-state public university followed by a master’s degree if the in-state public university does not have a bachelor’s degree program.</p>
<p>So could it be a good idea to get a bachelor’s degree at Cal Poly and transfer to UF to finish with a master’s?</p>
<p>That would likely be a more expensive option than a BArch at Florida A&M or Florida Atlantic, or bachelor’s degree at a Florida public followed by an MArch at a Florida public.</p>
<p>Ask on the architecture forum about the relative merits of a BArch versus MArch to get a better idea of the tradeoffs involved, and how much school ranking/reputation/prestige matters (or does not matter). Also, architecture may not have the highest pay levels, so high student loan debt may not be a good idea.</p>
<p>You might want to consider a BS in civil engineering, with an emphasis in structures and architecture classes as electives, followed by an MArch. It may be a bit more work, but I bet it would make you more employable later.</p>
<p>Don’t be swayed by rankings…especially if it involves a lot more cost and (ugh) debt.</p>
<p>What are your parents saying? Would they pay the high OOS costs for Cal Poly? If not, then you won’t be able to go there because how would you pay for it.</p>
<p>I think you should go to Florida Atlantic. The progam is good, it will be low cost for you. Then, get your MArch at UF. Or do the CivilE at UF and then MArch. (See if UF has a minor in Arch or has something else that would be good to add with CivilE)</p>