Architecture programs budgets grew overall this year, but at many schools enrollments and applications are down. 

At the 2013 ACSA Annual Business Meeting, President Donna Robertson presented some preliminary results from the latest annual budget survey and analysis of multi-year data gathered by the National Architectural Accrediting Board.

Architecture program enrollment has dropped over the past five years. (Figures 1 and 2)

 

 

(FIG 1)

 

 

(FIG 2)

 

For 2012-13, enrollments and applications are down compared to the previous year at some schools, according to a September 2012 survey of ACSA member schools. (Figure 3)

 

 

(FIG 3)

 

Results show an even mix of growth and reduction in program enrollments across all programs. About 1/3 of schools overall had lower enrollment. Undergraduate programs had the highest percentage of programs with decreases over the previous year, while postprofessional degree programs had the highest percentage of schools seeing enrollment growth.

The story was similar for applications from last year this to this year.  (Figure 4)

(FIG 4)

 

Results show that more programs were seeing lower enrollments than last year, particularly at the undergraduate level. However, postprofessional degree programs saw greater increases. Nearly 2/3 of these programs reported an increase in applications, while 40% reported an increase in enrollment.

Full results from the budget survey will be published in coming weeks and posted on the ACSA website. Visit our Documents page to find past budget survey data.