Design Intelligence Ranks School of Architecture No. 4 of Best Undergraduate Programs Nationwide

Once again, the Syracuse University School of Architecture ranks among the nation’s best schools for the study of architecture. In the 2019 rankings report, compiled by Design Intelligence, the definitive ranking source for schools in architecture, landscape architecture and interiors, the school ranked 4th best overall among undergraduate programs nationwide. The rankings represent the views of academics and hiring managers of architecture and design-professional firms.

The full Design Intelligence report will not be released until later this month. But highlights from the report published online this week by trade journal Architectural Record, single out the School of Architecture for its strength in design theory and construction methods and materials, ranking fifth in the nation in both areas.

In addition, Dean Michael Speaks was again named among the top 25 most admired educators in architecture, interiors and landscape architecture. The complete list of rankings for graduate programs has not yet been released.

“We are gratified by the recognition of peers and professionals around the nation,” says Dean Speaks. “Being ranked among the nation’s best brings our school and Syracuse University to the attention of the most talented potential students and potential employers around the nation and the world. Our fall 2018 entering undergraduate class is remarkably international—with students from more than 45 countries—and ranks among the best academic classes in school history. We are clearly attracting the best and brightest. Employers continue to take notice and that’s most promising for graduates of our program.”

Dean Speaks also noted that international students graduating from all programs in the School of Architecture are eligible for special STEM-focused optional professional training status that enables them to extend their visas and work in the United States for up to three years after graduation.

Continuing to rank at the very top level of undergraduate programs in the nation was perhaps even more noteworthy this year, as the survey methodology has changed. In past years, respondents answered the question “Which programs are best preparing students for a future in the profession?” while this year they were asked instead: “What schools do you most admire for a combination of faculty, programs, culture and student preparation for the profession?” According to the researchers, “asking for ‘the best’ assumed objectivity, while asking for ‘the most admired’ is a mix of objectivity and the experiential factor. We made this move because we felt that ‘the most admired’ was a broader question.”

Another important question this year was: “From which schools have you hired the greatest number of (undergraduate or graduate) students in the last five years?” The results will be published in the full report.

In the past 19 years of conducting this survey, Design Intelligence received responses from between 2,600 and 3,200 hiring managers of architecture and design-professional firms.  This year, the response rate was significantly higher, with 4,500 respondents.

“The top-ranked schools are very diverse, and represent a full range of options and experiences—from small Ivy League schools to large public universities,” says Dean Speaks. “Each of the top five schools, in particular, has its own areas of specialization. This variety reflects how each school is responding to the changing nature of work and architecture practice. We will continue to focus on design and professional training, areas of school excellence cited in the Design Intelligence report. More importantly, we are committed to remaining among the best schools of architecture in the United States and the world and will continue to provide innovative and relevant curriculum and programming as well as enhanced facilities and expanded services, including student and post-graduation career advising and placement, one of the historical strengths of our school. All these, coupled with a world class faculty and staff, enable our school to provide not only an extremely high-quality student experience but also preparation for whatever career path they may pursue, whether in architecture, real estate development or in the public sector.”