Fine Arts Degree in Albuquerque, NM — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Albuquerque, NM. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$58K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.5 yrs
in Albuquerque
Cost of Living
111
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Albuquerque, NM Overview
Albuquerque is one of New Mexico's top college towns, with 40 institutions and a student population of 37,837. Public tuition averages $4,872/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. 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 Albuquerque is approximately $55,500.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
40
Public Tuition
$4,872/yr
Private Tuition
$14,580/yr
Room & Board
$13,830/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,246/yr
Unemployment
4.4%
Graduation Rate
70%
Fine Arts Salary in Albuquerque (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Albuquerque's cost of living index of 111 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Albuquerque adjustment factor: 1.11x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Albuquerque
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Albuquerque tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $4,872 | Private avg: $14,580
Albuquerque avg aid: $13,246/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$74,808
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,650
vs HS diploma in Albuquerque
ROI Payback Period
4.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Albuquerque
$36,192
Lifetime earnings premium ($111,000) minus total education cost ($74,808)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Albuquerque
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Albuquerque for Fine Arts
University of New Mexico
public
$8,064/yr
$32,256 total
National American University
private
$14,580/yr
$58,320 total
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute
public
$1,680/yr
$6,720 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Central New Mexico Community College
$1,848/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Albuquerque
Albuquerque offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Albuquerque Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby New Mexico Cities
Other Arts & Design Majors in Albuquerque
UX Design
$56K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$64K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$56K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$56K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$53K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$56K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$56K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$56K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Albuquerque — 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 Albuquerque.