Cornell's bachelor's program in architecture received the top ranking in the annual survey conducted by DesignIntelligence (DI) magazine. The 2009 list marks the fourth time in five years that Cornell's undergraduate architecture program has ranked first in the top 20 architecture programs in the United States. In 2008, the program was ranked second.

The M.Arch. program was ranked sixth; the five-year-old graduate architecture program has placed in the top 20 for the past three years. Both programs are in the College of Architecture, Art and Planning.

The rankings were based on a survey conducted at more than 200 U.S. architecture firms and organizations. Leading firms were asked about which academic programs best prepare students for professional practice. Those surveyed have direct experience hiring and evaluating the performance of recent architect graduates. More than 900 architecture students were also surveyed about their satisfaction with their educational programs.

The publication also lists the best schools for interior design and landscape architecture. Cornell's interior design program, in the College of Human Ecology's Department of Design and Environmental Analysis, received high marks, ranking fourth out of 10 for the undergraduate program and third for the graduate program. Cornell's landscape architecture program in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences ranked fifth for both the undergraduate and graduate programs.

DI also introduced The Cramer Report: America's World Class Schools of Architecture. This report notes architecture programs that have distinguished themselves, based on specific criteria, including ranking by professional practices, rankings by deans and chairs, student evaluations and program accreditation. The Cornell architecture program placed in the top category, "With Highest Distinction," with a score of 474 out of a possible 485 points.