Last Updated on August 5, 2023 by Sidharth PS
Hi readers! Do you want to become an architect? If yes, this post will be of help to you. Here, I’ve compiled a list of best architecture colleges in California. Here, readers will find the following details – list of architecture colleges, rating, fees, programs/majors, admission requirements and tests. Let us check out the list now. Here it is –
Top Affordable Architecture Colleges in California for 2022
Rank |
College |
Fees/Cost |
Type of Institute |
Degrees & Awards |
Address |
1 | College of the Sequoias | $2,264 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate | 915 S. Mooney Blvd, Visalia, California 93277-2214 |
2 | MiraCosta College | $2,856 | 4-year, primarily associate’s, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree | One Barnard Drive, Oceanside, California 92056-3899 |
3 | Cerritos College | $3,128 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate | 11110 Alondra Blvd, Norwalk, California 90650-6298 |
4 | Ventura College | $3,936 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree | 4667 Telegraph Rd, Ventura, California 93003-3872 |
5 | Glendale Community College | $4,210 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate | 1500 N Verdugo Rd, Glendale, California 91208-2894 |
6 | Fresno City College | $4,320 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate | 1101 E. University Ave, Fresno, California 93741 |
7 | Irvine Valley College | $4,352 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree | 5500 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, California 92618-0301 |
8 | Mt San Antonio College | $4,387 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree | 1100 N Grand Ave, Walnut, California 91789-1399 |
9 | College of San Mateo | $4,639 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree | 1700 W Hillsdale Blvd, San Mateo, California 94402-3784 |
10 | Long Beach City College | $5,041 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate | 4901 E. Carson St., Long Beach, California 90808-1706 |
11 | Citrus College | $5,194 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate | 1000 W Foothill Blvd, Glendora, California 91741-1899 |
12 | Golden West College | $5,530 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree | 15744 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach, California 92647-2710 |
13 | City College of San Francisco | $5,571 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate | 50 Frida Kahlo Drive, San Francisco, California 94112-1898 |
14 | Pasadena City College | $5,633 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate | 1570 E Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, California 91106-2003 |
15 | Orange Coast College | $5,936 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate | 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa, California 92626 |
16 | California State University-Fresno | $6,002 | 4-year, Public | Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Doctor’s degree – professional practice|Doctor’s degree – other | 5241 N Maple Ave, Fresno, California 93740 |
17 | Cosumnes River College | $6,081 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate | 8401 Center Parkway, Sacramento, California 95823-5799 |
18 | Southwestern College | $6,329 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate | 900 Otay Lakes Rd., Chula Vista, California 91910-7299 |
19 | Bakersfield College | $6,390 | 4-year, primarily associate’s, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree | 1801 Panorama Dr, Bakersfield, California 93305-1299 |
20 | Riverside City College | $6,782 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree | 4800 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, California 92506 |
21 | Palomar College | $6,988 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree | 1140 W. Mission, San Marcos, California 92069-1487 |
22 | Chabot College | $7,005 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree | 25555 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward, California 94545 |
23 | Norco College | $7,086 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree | 2001 Third St, Norco, California 92860 |
24 | Rio Hondo College | $7,123 | 4-year, primarily associate’s, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree | 3600 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, California 90601-1616 |
25 | Saddleback College | $7,298 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate | 28000 Marguerite Pky, Mission Viejo, California 92692-3635 |
26 | Diablo Valley College | $7,311 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree | 321 Golf Club Rd, Pleasant Hill, California 94523 |
27 | San Diego Mesa College | $7,483 | 4-year, primarily associate’s, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate|Bachelor’s degree | 7250 Mesa College Dr, San Diego, California 92111-4998 |
28 | West Valley College | $7,541 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate | 14000 Fruitvale Ave, Saratoga, California 95070-5698 |
29 | Fullerton College | $8,198 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate | 321 E Chapman Avenue, Fullerton, California 92832-2095 |
30 | College of Marin | $8,593 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate | 835 College Ave, Kentfield, California 94904-2590 |
31 | Los Angeles Trade Technical College | $8,670 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree | 400 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90015-4181 |
32 | California State University-Northridge | $8,694 | 4-year, Public | Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Doctor’s degree – professional practice|Doctor’s degree – other | 18111 Nordhoff St, Northridge, California 91330 |
33 | Santa Rosa Junior College | $8,993 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate | 1501 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa, California 95401-4395 |
34 | San Bernardino Valley College | $9,209 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate | 701 South Mount Vernon Avenue, San Bernardino, California 92410-2798 |
35 | California State University-Sacramento | $10,271 | 4-year, Public | Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship|Doctor’s degree – professional practice|Doctor’s degree – other | 6000 J St, Sacramento, California 95819-2694 |
36 | Los Angeles Valley College | $10,778 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate | 5800 Fulton Avenue, Valley Glen, California 91401-4096 |
37 | Cuesta College | $10,860 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate | Highway 1, San Luis Obispo, California 93403-8106 |
38 | Los Angeles Harbor College | $10,996 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree | 1111 Figueroa Place, Wilmington, California 90744-2397 |
39 | East Los Angeles College | $11,015 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate | 1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez, Monterey Park, California 91754-6099 |
40 | Los Angeles Pierce College | $11,585 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree | 6201 Winnetka Ave, Woodland Hills, California 91371-0002 |
41 | El Camino Community College District | $11,719 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate | 16007 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, California 90506 |
42 | College of the Desert | $12,270 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree | 43-500 Monterey Ave, Palm Desert, California 92260 |
43 | San Joaquin Delta College | $12,692 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate | 5151 Pacific Ave, Stockton, California 95207 |
44 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | $12,843 | 4-year, Public | Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree|Doctor’s degree | 3801 W Temple Avenue, Pomona, California 91768 |
45 | Laney College | $13,426 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree | 900 Fallon Sreet, Oakland, California 94607 |
46 | San Jose State University | $14,471 | 4-year, Public | Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – professional practice|Doctor’s degree – other | One Washington Square, San Jose, California 95192-0001 |
47 | San Diego State University | $14,499 | 4-year, Public | Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship|Doctor’s degree – professional practice|Doctor’s degree – other | 5500 Campanile Dr, San Diego, California 92182-0001 |
48 | California State University-Chico | $14,843 | 4-year, Public | Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree | First and Normal Sts, Chico, California 95929-0150 |
49 | University of California-San Diego | $14,864 | 4-year, Public | Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship|Doctor’s degree – professional practice | 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, California 92093 |
50 | University of California-Irvine | $15,268 | 4-year, Public | Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship|Doctor’s degree – professional practice | 501 Aldrich Hall, Irvine, California 92697 |
51 | University of California-Los Angeles | $15,718 | 4-year, Public | Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship|Doctor’s degree – professional practice | 405 Hilgard Ave, Los Angeles, California 90095-1405 |
52 | University of California-Davis | $15,886 | 4-year, Public | Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship|Doctor’s degree – professional practice | One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616-8678 |
53 | University of California-Berkeley | $18,522 | 4-year, Public | Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship|Doctor’s degree – professional practice | 200 California Hall, Berkeley, California 94720 |
54 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | $21,232 | 4-year, Public | Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree | 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo, California 93407 |
55 | California Baptist University | $23,055 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship | 8432 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, California 92504-3297 |
56 | Woodbury University | $26,349 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree | 7500 Glenoaks Blvd, Burbank, California 91504-1052 |
57 | Interior Designers Institute | $26,518 | 4-year, primarily associate’s, Private for-profit | Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree | 1061 Camelback Street, Newport Beach, California 92660 |
58 | Academy of Art University | $31,759 | 4-year, Private for-profit | Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate|Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree | 79 New Montgomery, San Francisco, California 94105 |
59 | University of San Diego | $35,936 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship|Doctor’s degree – professional practice | 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, California 92110-2492 |
60 | University of Southern California | $37,521 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship|Doctor’s degree – professional practice|Doctor’s degree – other | University Park, Los Angeles, California 90089 |
61 | University of San Francisco | $38,422 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship|Doctor’s degree – professional practice | 2130 Fulton St, San Francisco, California 94117-1080 |
62 | Newschool of Architecture and Design | $38,995 | 4-year, Private for-profit | Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree | 1249 F St, San Diego, California 92101 |
63 | Southern California Institute of Architecture | $41,366 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree | 960 E. 3rd Street, Los Angeles, California 90013-1822 |
64 | California College of the Arts | $42,065 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree | 1111 Eighth Street, San Francisco, California 94107-2247 |
65 | Otis College of Art and Design | $45,406 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree | 9045 Lincoln Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90045-3505 |
66 | Art Center College of Design | $47,352 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree | 1700 Lida St, Pasadena, California 91103 |
For ranking these colleges, I’ve used the ‘affordability’ factor. I’ve ranked these colleges on the basis of ‘net cost’. Come, let us take a close look at best architecture programs/majors. Here is the list –
You may also check – Journalism colleges in California
Best Architecture Programs/Majors
1 Architectural History, Criticism and Conservation
- Architectural Conservation
- Architectural History and Criticism (General)
- Architectural History, Criticism and Conservation (Other)
- Architectural Studies
2 Architectural Sciences and Technology
- Architectural and Building Sciences
- Architectural Sciences and Technology
- Architectural Technology/Technician
3 Architecture
- Architectural Design
- Architecture
- Architecture (Other)
- Pre-Architecture Studies
4 Architecture and Related Services (Other)
5 Urban, Community and Regional Planning
6 Environmental Design
- Environmental Design (Other)
- Environmental Design/Architecture
- Healthcare Environment Design/Architecture
- Sustainable Design
7 Interior Architecture
8 Landscape Architecture
9 Real Estate Development
Popular architecture programs are available in formats such as – Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, Doctor’s Degree, Postgraduate Certificate etc. Let us check out the admission requirements now. Here is everything you need to know about it –
Admission requirements and tests
These are some of the popular admission requirements –
- Secondary School GPA
- Secondary School Rank
- Secondary School Record
- Completion of college-preparatory Program
- Recommendations
- Admission Tests (SAT/ACT)
- TOEFL
Depending upon the college, the above requirements may be labeled as – required, recommended or considered but not required.
I am Vishnu Nambiar a career and educational blogger from India. I am also a full time educational consultant having more than 12 years of experience in the educational sector.
I share articles related to courses, colleges, careers, exam tips and more here.