Clemson University Program Ranked Among Nation’s Best

Clemson University’s graduate architecture program once again has been named among the nation’s best in an annual ranking of accredited programs in the U.S.

DesignIntelligence magazine has ranked Clemson seventh among public institutions and 19th overall nationally in the annual publication “America’s Best Architecture and Design Schools.”

In the overall list, Harvard, Cornell and Yale are ranked first, second and third.

“Clemson’s School of Architecture is proud and pleased to be recognized once again as one of America’s best graduate programs in architecture,” said Kate Schwennsen, director of the school. “This recognition from the nation’s practices encourages us to continue preparing graduates for expanding the roles and responsibilities of the 21st century architect through promoting big, beautiful, innovative, theoretical ideas, but with an equally strong proclivity for making and doing, for getting our hands dirty, for actively and collaboratively engaging with industry, practice, people and places, and with the critical issues of our time.”

Now in its 16th year, the DesignIntelligence survey is conducted annually by Greenway Communications for the Design Futures Council, an interdisciplinary network of design, product and construction leaders. According to the publication, close to 1,500 professional practice firms participated in this year’s survey.

The DesignIntelligence ranking is created largely by employers’ response to a single question: “In your firm’s hiring experience in the past five years, which of the following schools are best preparing students for success in the profession?”

A separate survey measures student opinions about their programs. This year, 2,775 undergraduate and graduate architecture students registered their views. Ninety-six percent of Clemson respondents said they believe they’ll be well-prepared for their profession upon graduation.

Richard Goodstein, dean of the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities, said, “This survey shows that employers think Clemson architecture grads are well prepared for the profession. That’s wonderful news, but even better that our students feel the same way. We are thrilled and grateful for this nationally prestigious endorsement of Clemson’s School of Architecture.”