Architectural education in the U.S. is at a turning point. The Department of Education (DOE) is proposing a narrower definition of “professional degrees,” and architecture could be left out. While this does not affect licensure, it could reshape how students finance their studies and ultimately, who gets the opportunity to become an architect.

What's happening?

Graduate architecture programs, including the Master of Architecture (M.Arch), are currently recognised as professional degrees for federal financial aid purposes. This designation allows students to borrow larger amounts under federal loans, similar to programs in law, medicine, and dentistry.

Under a proposed DOE rule, set to take effect July 1, 2026, architecture may lose this classification. This change is part of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBBA), a federal initiative aimed at restructuring graduate student loans and capping borrowing for certain professional programs. For architecture students, this could mean lower federal loan limits, making it more challenging to finance programs that often span five to seven years , a significant consideration when tuition, studio materials, and living costs are high.

Image Credit/Photo by Ron Lanch, Courtesy - Pexels

Under the DOE’s new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), students in architecture programs may face an annual borrowing limit of around $20,500, compared with higher limits for law or medical students. This reduction could make it more challenging to cover tuition, studio materials, and living expenses.

It’s important to stress: licensure remains unaffected. Students who earn an NAAB-accredited degree and meet state board requirements will still be eligible to practice as licensed architects.

Why this Matters?

The proposed change impacts students, schools, and the profession in several ways:

Financial Access: Architecture programs are intensive and expensive. Reduced loan limits could make it difficult for students to cover tuition, studio fees, and living expenses.

Diversity and Inclusion: Financial barriers may disproportionately affect students from lower-income backgrounds, potentially narrowing the pipeline of architects entering the field.

Career Pathways: While licensure itself remains intact, limited financial support could influence who chooses architecture as a career, affecting the profession’s future workforce and the diversity of voices shaping the built environment.

Broader Context

The DOE’s proposal is part of a larger federal effort to reform student loan programs, including phasing out certain Grad PLUS loans. While these reforms aim to curb student debt, they also reshape access to professional education in fields that require long, demanding programs.

This classification aligns architecture with other long and intensive programs that are not deemed ‘professional’ under RAP, such as engineering or nursing, highlighting how federal policy shapes access to education rather than licensure.

Architecture’s potential removal from the “professional degree” list highlights a tension between fiscal policy and educational accessibility. On paper, this is an administrative adjustment  but in practice, it could influence who can realistically enter the profession and how architecture programs are funded.

What one Should Know

Licensure Pathways Remain: Completing an NAAB-accredited program and passing the exams still allows you to practice.

Financial Planning Is Key: Students may need to explore alternative funding options, including scholarships, assistantships, or private loans.

Stay Informed: Follow DOE updates and guidance from professional organizations like the AIA, NAAB, and NCARB to navigate changes effectively.

Image Credit/Photo by Ron Lanch, Courtesy - Pexels

For aspiring architects, understanding these shifts is crucial. While the rules around federal aid may change, the standards, accreditation, and pathway to licensure remain unchanged. Planning ahead, staying informed, and exploring funding options can help ensure that financial considerations do not become a barrier to shaping the built environment.

For many students, architecture is more than a career - it’s a calling. But when federal loan access is uncertain, the dream of designing spaces that shape communities can feel out of reach. Understanding these policy changes isn’t just practical, it’s part of planning a future in architecture that is accessible to all.

Top image in the article © Photo by Ron lach, Courtesy - Pexels.

architecture degree architecture status professionalism