Architecture is one of NJIT's most distinctive programs, housed in the J. Robert and Barbara A. Hillier College of Architecture and Design, and it is a genuinely different admissions process from NJIT's computing and engineering majors. Alongside the standard application, Hillier College requires a portfolio of creative work, which functions as a real filter rather than a formality.
This article covers the acceptance picture for Architecture specifically, the portfolio requirement, cost, admission requirements, English-test rules, and career outcomes.
Acceptance Rate
NJIT does not publish an Architecture-specific acceptance rate. NJIT's overall undergraduate acceptance rate for the 2024-2025 cycle was approximately 65%, based on NJIT's own published figures, with a third-party-estimated international undergraduate rate around 50%. For Architecture specifically, admission considers the same general academic profile as other NJIT undergraduate programs (NJIT's enrolled middle-50% unweighted GPA sits between 3.55 and 3.95), plus the portfolio, which Hillier College's own admissions guidance describes as a factor that can make a real difference in a borderline decision, not a box-ticking exercise.
For graduate Architecture programs (M.Arch. and the Master of Urban Design), a portfolio is mandatory; for the non-professional MSArch, portfolio submission is optional but recommended.
Fees and Cost of Attendance
Architecture students pay NJIT's standard international cost structure; the university does not publish a separate, higher tuition rate for Architecture specifically.
| Cost item | Undergraduate (Non-Resident/International) |
|---|---|
| Tuition & mandatory fees (2 semesters) | ~$42,300/year |
| Housing and food | ~$18,900/year (on-campus) |
| Books, supplies, health insurance, personal costs | ~$5,500-$7,600/year combined |
| Total estimated cost of attendance | ~$71,878/year (NJIT's own international-student estimate) |
For the full university-wide cost picture and graduate estimates, see the NJIT guide.
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate
- Completed application via the Common Application
- $75 non-refundable international application fee
- Official high school transcripts, in English or with a certified/notarized translation
- A GPA in the top 25% of your graduating class, or a 3.0+ GPA equivalent where class rank isn't available
- A portfolio of 10 to 20 examples of creative work, submitted through SlideRoom, made up of your own original work
- SAT/ACT scores are test-optional for Fall 2026 for most applicants
- Evidence of English proficiency (unless exempt)
Graduate (M.Arch. and M.U.D.)
- Completed application through NJIT's graduate application portal
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- A mandatory portfolio, submitted as a multi-page PDF of work you created
- Statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and resume/CV
- English proficiency scores (unless exempt)
For the non-professional MSArch, portfolio submission is optional but recommended rather than required.
How to Get Into NJIT's Architecture Program
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Start your portfolio early, not at the last minute. Because the portfolio is a real factor in the decision, not a formality, give yourself time to assemble 10 to 20 strong, original pieces rather than submitting rushed work close to the deadline.
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Make sure every piece is genuinely your own creative work. Hillier College's guidance is explicit that portfolio work must be created by the applicant, so avoid including collaborative or derivative pieces without clearly noting your specific contribution.
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Meet or exceed NJIT's general GPA benchmark. Because NJIT's enrolled middle-50% GPA sits well above 3.5, aim comfortably above the stated top-25%-of-class or 3.0 GPA floor.
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For graduate M.Arch or M.U.D. applicants, treat the portfolio as mandatory, not optional. Unlike the non-professional MSArch, these professional degree tracks require a portfolio as a core part of the application.
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Confirm current deadlines and portfolio specifications directly on design.njit.edu, since portfolio platforms (SlideRoom) and specific submission formats can be updated between cycles.
English Proficiency Requirement (IELTS/TOEFL)
Architecture applicants follow NJIT's university-wide English proficiency minimums; there is no separately published Architecture-specific override in the sources reviewed.
| Test | Undergraduate minimum | Graduate minimum |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 79 | 79 |
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 | 6.5, no band below 6.0 |
| Duolingo English Test | 100 | 120 |
| PTE Academic | 53 | 57 |
For the full set of waivers, see the NJIT guide.
Career Outcomes
NJIT's career outcomes reporting is strong at the university level: approximately 95% of recent graduates report full-time employment or continued education within six months, per NJIT's own published figure, and NJIT's bachelor's-level full-time employment rate is 84.8%. A single, confirmed Architecture-specific employment rate or starting salary from a primary NJIT source was not found during this research; architecture career outcomes typically depend heavily on licensure progression (the path to becoming a licensed architect in the US runs through additional years of experience and the Architect Registration Examination after graduation), so check Hillier College's own career data directly for current figures.
Architecture degrees are generally not STEM-designated in most cases, so graduates typically rely on the standard 12-month OPT period rather than the 24-month STEM OPT extension, unless a specific track is separately classified as STEM. Confirm your specific program's CIP code with NJIT if OPT length is a deciding factor.
FAQ
Does NJIT require a portfolio for Architecture? Yes. Undergraduate applicants submit 10 to 20 examples of original creative work through SlideRoom. Graduate M.Arch. and M.U.D. applicants submit a mandatory portfolio PDF; it's optional but recommended for the non-professional MSArch.
Does NJIT publish an acceptance rate for Architecture specifically? No. NJIT's overall undergraduate acceptance rate was about 65% for the 2024-2025 cycle, with a third-party-estimated international rate around 50%.
How much does NJIT Architecture cost for international undergraduates? NJIT's own published estimate for international undergraduates is about $71,878/year, including tuition, housing, and other costs.
What IELTS or TOEFL score do I need for NJIT Architecture? The same as NJIT's university-wide minimums: undergraduate IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 79; graduate IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 79.
Does an NJIT Architecture degree qualify for STEM OPT? Generally not, unless your specific track is separately STEM-designated. Most architecture degrees use the standard 12-month OPT period.