Landscape Architecture.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
All data shown below (except Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity) is based on the category, not just this specific degree.
Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Landscape Architecture.: The DTI for this program is 52.0%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Landscape Architecture., compare your expected starting salary (currently $49182) to the average debt ($25595) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Landscape Architecture.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 52.0%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Landscape Architecture., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($49182) against the typical student debt ($25595), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
Considering Landscape Architecture.? This major is known for its blend of hands-on learning and career-ready skills. Graduates often start out earning $49182, and with an average student debt of $25595, the debt-to-income ratio is 0.52—pretty reasonable for most students.
With more than 926 students earning this degree each year, you’ll be part of a vibrant community. Many alumni pursue roles like Landscape Architects, a career path projected to grow by 3.0% soon. Whether you’re interested in job security, making a difference, or just want a degree that opens doors, Landscape Architecture. is a smart choice. Don’t forget: internships, networking, and campus involvement can make your experience even more valuable.
Degree Overview
Landscape Architecture (CIP 04.0601) is a professional field focused on the design, planning, and management of the land. While architects design the buildings, landscape architects design everything in between—parks, campuses, waterfronts, streetscapes, and private gardens. It is a unique blend of art, ecology, and civil engineering aimed at creating outdoor spaces that are both beautiful and environmentally sustainable.
This degree is ideal for students who want to be "environmental designers." It is a path for individuals who love nature and the outdoors but also enjoy the technical challenge of building infrastructure that helps cities breathe and ecosystems thrive.
What Is a Landscape Architecture Degree?
A Landscape Architecture degree is a professional program that prepares students for licensure. It teaches how to transform outdoor environments to improve human health, biodiversity, and climate resilience. The field has evolved far beyond "gardening"; modern landscape architects are lead designers on massive urban projects, such as converting old industrial sites into public parks or designing systems to protect coastal cities from rising sea levels.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train designers to use plants, soil, and water as "living building materials"
- Teach the engineering of grading and drainage to manage stormwater
- Develop specialists in urban ecology and habitat restoration
- Prepare professionals to design public spaces that are accessible and inclusive for all people
What Will You Learn?
Students learn to balance the needs of human beings with the requirements of the natural environment.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Master design software such as AutoCAD, Rhino, and Adobe Creative Suite
- Identify hundreds of plant species and understand their ecological roles (Horticulture)
- Read topographic maps and design the physical "shaping" of the earth
- Select sustainable materials for "hardscaping" (paving, walls, and structures)
- Use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyze large-scale environmental data
- Plan for "Universal Design" to ensure people of all abilities can enjoy outdoor spaces
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is a mix of studio design, science labs, and history:
- Site Engineering: The technical math of moving water and earth.
- Planting Design: The art of combining colors, textures, and seasonal changes in nature.
- Landscape History: Studying how gardens and parks have evolved from ancient times to today.
- Urban Design: Thinking about how cities can be "greener" and more walkable.
- Environmental Law: Learning the regulations for protecting wetlands and endangered species.
- Ecology: Understanding how animals, insects, and plants interact in a designed space.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates work in a variety of roles that influence how we interact with the outdoors.
Common job roles include:
- Landscape Architect: Designing the layouts for parks, housing developments, or resorts.
- Urban Designer: Planning the "green" infrastructure of cities and neighborhoods.
- Environmental Consultant: Advising on how to restore damaged ecosystems or wetlands.
- Park Planner: Working for the government to manage and expand public park systems.
- Estate Designer: Creating high-end private residential landscapes.
- Campus Planner: Designing the grounds for universities or corporate headquarters.
Where Can You Work?
Landscape architects are needed in both the private and public sectors:
- Private Design Firms: Ranging from small boutiques to global firms like SASAKI or SWA.
- Government Agencies: Such as the National Park Service or city planning departments.
- Real Estate Developers: Helping plan the outdoor amenities for new communities.
- Non-Profit Organizations: Working on conservation projects and community gardens.
- Design-Build Companies: Firms that both design and physically construct the projects.
How Much Can You Earn?
Salaries are competitive and generally grow significantly once a professional earns their state license.
- Entry-Level Designers: Typically start between $55,000 and $65,000.
- Licensed Landscape Architects: Median annual salary of approximately $73,000–$90,000.
- Senior Associates/Principals: In private firms, salaries can exceed $120,000–$150,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the workload and diversity of skills. You must have the artistic eye of a painter, the logical mind of an engineer, and the scientific knowledge of a botanist. "Studio" classes often require long hours of drawing and model-making. You must also be comfortable with math, as you are responsible for making sure water doesn't flood a building and that walls are structurally sound.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Love being outdoors and care about the environment
- Enjoy drawing, building things, or playing "world-building" games
- Are interested in how cities can be designed to fight climate change
- Want a job that combines office work with site visits to the great outdoors
- Like the idea of creating something that will grow and change over decades
How to Prepare in High School
- Take classes in Biology, Environmental Science, Geometry, and Art
- Join a gardening club, environmental group, or a makerspace
- Practice sketching landscapes and trees from real life
- Learn the basics of digital drawing or 3D modeling if possible
- Volunteer for a local park clean-up or a community "beautification" project
The ability to envision a healthy, beautiful future for the land and the people who inhabit it is the hallmark of a successful landscape architect.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor