BArch choices Pratt vs. Syracuse vs. CUNY (also accepted to U of A, Tennessee)

Help! I have been accepted to the schools listed above. I’m leaning towards the more conceptual programs that build on my strengths as an artist but there are so many factors (cost vs. opportunities provided at the school). CUNY is an amazing value but is it worth putting the $$ into Pratt or Syracuse. I received annual scholarships to Pratt $15k, and Syracuse $10K but their tuition is so much $$$!!!

I am wondering if it is worth the investment to go to one of these top tier schools like Pratt or Syracuse. Also what are the advantages of one over the other. Does Pratt have an advantage over Syracuse because of its location or is Syracuse is more desirable because of the strength of their tenured faculty?

I am a girl, I have a very good portfolio (drawing, to photography, to sculpture), lots of art experiences (curation, Young Arts, exhibition record), strong student, technically minded, athlete.

thank you in advance for your advice.

CUNY-The Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture (#49) is more highly ranked than Pratt (unranked) and Syracuse University (#55)

http://architecture-schools.startclass.com/

Looking at the Tuition/Fees cost only:

CUNY-CCNY - ~$6,500 (instate) $~17K (OOS) [COA = $22K(instate) vs $31K (OOS)]

Pratt Institute - ~$47,784 (-$15K) = $32,784 [COA = $67K]

Syracuse University - $45,022 (-$10K) = $35,022 [COA = $63K]

I think the Bachelors of Architecture is a 5-year program at all three schools. BTW, are you implying that Pratt or Syracuse is more prestigious than Spitzer? IMHO, I would look at the placement rates after graduation of all three programs and balance that information with the net cost over 5-years. There is a HUGE cost difference between CUNY-CCNY Spitzer, Pratt School of Architecture and Syracuse University.

How is the market for newly minted B.Arch graduates and what is the expected salary range? Would you be able to afford Pratt and Syracuse without incurring huge student loan debt? Would you live at home if you attend Pratt or CCNY? Have you visited all three schools?

Thanks for the response. You gave me lots to think about. I did visit all three schools. They are all very nice in there own way. I am concerned about the school’s reputation and job opportunities. I don’t particularly trust the startclass stats because there are many different types of Architecture degrees and I’m interested in comparing only the BArch programs. The salary range varies quite a bit. I wonder how much of this may be due to the school, networking and internships.

I check startclass again and if you select undergrad programs Syracuse is #3, Pratt is #8, and CCNY is #36.

That’s because the UG ranking is based on design intelligence ranking of only 5 year BArch universities. That doesn’t include any of the 4 year BS in Architecture schools such as Harvard, Princeton, WashU, UVa, Michigan, etc. The grad list represents all Architecture universities. Design intelligence should have one UG ranking for Architecture that includes both BA/BS and BArch or have a separate ranking for the 4 year BA/BS in Architecture. They are all bachelor degrees.

@dart2, I can see why you would be tempted by Syracuse or Pratt, but assuming a debt in the area of $250,000 over the 5.0 years of your a BArch would be, to me, catastrophic. Career opportunities for BArchs are fairly good right now, but entry level salaries are still low in relation to the cost of education. It takes around 3.0 to 5.0 years to get licensed.

At any rate, if you are a high school student, you would not be able to take on loans of more than a few thousand dollars a year. The debt would be on your parents’ shoulders. Whether they are willing or able to absorb loans of this size, depends on their financial situation. Have you talked to them about this?

Did you apply for need-based aid? Unless you’re eligible for need-based aid from Pratt or Syracuse, it seems to me that CUNY Spitzer is your best option.

I don’t know much about Spitzer, but I would think its location would give students great exposure to NYC architecture firms for visiting professors, critics, career networking and internship opportunities. I looked at a few of the architecture professors’ biographies and it appears they have excellent backgrounds.

I’m not familiar with startclass rankings. Design Intelligence ranks Syracuse’s BArch at #4 and Pratt at #11. CUNY is not in the top 35.

Thank you for the thoughtful response. My parents are going to cover room and board plus a a bit towards tuition. If I go to a state school I would be able to cover everything (and then some) with the Federal loans I qualify for. I am waiting for the full financial package from the schools but I don’t think I will get much need based aid (even though my EFC is not that high).

@dart2, If your parents are able to make a sizeable contribution, the shortfall difference among these schools may not be so great. Wait until you have all the financial information, then look at the TOTAL cost of attendance over 5.0 years.

By the way, which U of A were you accepted to?

If you scroll down to the undergraduate part there is a small “i” that takes to another screen explains how the ranking was derived. I’ve copied it here for you:

Glossary
Undergraduate Smart Rank

The rank of the undergraduate architecture program. The Undergraduate Smart Rank is designed to provide an indication of the institution’s academic strength in comparison to others. This rank is largely based upon the rankings awarded by Design Intelligence, a market leader in architecture education. The Undergraduate Smart Rank also incorporates a variety of statistical data about the undergraduate architecture program, including the acceptance rate, student-teacher ratio, and average GRE scores of previously-admitted students.

University of Arizona

@dart2 another factors u may consider are alumni connections, internship opportunities and few others. Although syracuse ranks higher on di ranking, pratt has a global prestige (ranks 5 globally for art/design schools) and has tremendous alumni network in all parts of the design and art industry. Its location makes internship opportunities way more plentiful and most of its faculty are present practitioners who could be of great help regarding internships and employment. Pratt’s b.arch also has an employment rate of 93% and salary of around mid 55k. The city environment also provides great experience.

GAudi483 that’s really interesting. Where did you see the employment rate and salary stats? This is the type of information I have been looking for.