Fine Arts Degree in Akron, OH — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Akron, OH. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$53K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$55K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.1 yrs
in Akron
Cost of Living
105
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Akron, OH Overview
While Akron has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Fine Arts students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $8,745/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Although national enrollment in Fine Arts has been declining, graduates with skills in Drawing and Painting remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Akron is approximately $52,500.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$11,330/yr
Private Tuition
$45,325/yr
Room & Board
$8,745/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,336/yr
Unemployment
3.3%
Graduation Rate
72%
Fine Arts Salary in Akron (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Akron's cost of living index of 105 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Akron adjustment factor: 1.05x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Akron
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Akron tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,330 | Private avg: $45,325
Akron avg aid: $8,336/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$80,300
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,750
vs HS diploma in Akron
ROI Payback Period
5.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Akron
$24,700
Lifetime earnings premium ($105,000) minus total education cost ($80,300)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Akron
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Akron for Fine Arts
University of Akron
public
$11,330/yr
$45,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Stark State College
$4,344/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Akron
Akron offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Akron Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby Ohio Cities
Columbus, OH
$52K starting · COL 103
31 colleges
Cleveland, OH
$48K starting · COL 96
20 colleges
Cincinnati, OH
$51K starting · COL 102
28 colleges
Toledo, OH
$54K starting · COL 108
16 colleges
Dayton, OH
$52K starting · COL 104
9 colleges
Parma, OH
$45K starting · COL 90
4 colleges
Canton, OH
$42K starting · COL 84
4 colleges
Lorain, OH
$43K starting · COL 85.2
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Akron
UX Design
$53K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$61K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$53K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$53K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$50K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$53K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$53K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$53K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Akron — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Fine Arts ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Akron.