This year, Cal Poly’s architecture undergraduate program was ranked number one in the west by DesignIntelligence (DI). The program holds the number two position in the nation overall, behind
Cornell University.
In 2014, Cal Poly received the number one position. For the past five years, they have maintained their spot in the
top three.
DI is an independent company that ranks architecture programs all over the nation based on their focus in architecture, landscape architecture and interior design. They also take into consideration professor credentials, hiring rates after graduation and where graduates are hired.
Cal Poly architectural design professor Umut Toker was recognized as one of the top 25 most admired educators, due to his knowledge in the field and dedication to his students.
Architecture sophomore Foster Westover said Cal Poly’s reputation proves to be true in the real world. This summer he interned at an architecture firm and said half his coworkers were from Cal Poly.
“We have such a good ranking, it’s known ‘Cal Poly architects, they’re gonna be good!’” Westover said.
In the skills assessment portion of selection, known as the “architecture design education focus areas,” Cal Poly placed first in engineering fundamentals, healthy built environments, project planning and management, practice management, sustainable built environments and construction materials and methods.
Cal Poly was also named the most desirable architecture program by deans and department chairs.
A total of 2,654 hiring professionals from 1,923 organizations were surveyed, according to ArchDaily.
Westover said many Cal Poly architecture students often spend 15 hours a week in architecture classes on top of working on projects in the studio
“Everybody is so so driven and really cares about what they are doing here, so it makes sense the amount of time we devote, and then we are rewarded by getting this great ranking,” Westover said.