Virginia Tech’s School of Architecture + Design’s programs have been recognized in the 2019-2020 DesignIntelligence rankings for professional design education.

The undergraduate Architecture program is recognized as the 6th most admired program nationally, while the graduate Architecture program is ranked 13th. As well, the graduates from these programs constitute the 4th most hired by firms across the country.

DesignIntelligence conducted evaluations across twelve focus areas. Virginia Tech’s undergraduate Architecture program placed in the top 10 across all twelve focus areas, earning top 5 recognition in ten, including: Construction materials and methods; Design technologies (BIM, AI, VR, AR, etc.); Engineering fundamentals; Healthy built environments; Interdisciplinary studies; Practice management; Project planning and management; Research; Sustainable built environments / adaptive design / resilient design; and Transdisciplinary collaboration across A/E/C. The graduate architecture program ranked in the top 5 for five focus areas and in the top 10 for all remaining categories.

Architecture professor Donna Dunay is included in this year’s list of the “Most Admired Educators” in Architecture, Interior Design, and Landscape Architecture.

The undergraduate Interior Design program is ranked 11th nationally. Graduates from the program were ranked as the 5th most hired by firms. The undergraduate program placed in the top 10 across all twelve categories, earning top 5 recognition in eight focus areas, including: Design technologies (BIM, AI, VR, AR, etc.); Engineering fundamentals; Healthy built environments; Interdisciplinary studies; Practice management; Project planning and management; Research; and Transdisciplinary collaboration across A/E/C.

This year’s list of the “Most Admired Educators” in Architecture, Interior Design, and Landscape Architecture also includes Interior Design Chair Lisa Tucker.

The Landscape Architecture undergraduate program is ranked 13th and the graduate program is 18th in the nation. Graduates from these programs were ranked as 4th most hired by firms. These programs were recognized in the top ten for the following focus areas: Design technologies and Engineering fundamentals.

The 2019-20 DesignIntelligence rankings are based on survey responses from hiring professionals from U.S. firms and organizations employing architecture, design, and landscape architecture professionals. In addition, deans, chairs, and department heads from academic programs in architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture participated in this year’s surveys. Finally, architecture, landscape architecture, and interior design students completed satisfaction surveys about their education.

DesignIntelligence provides detailed information about its rankings and methodology at https://www.di-rankings.com/.