Fine Arts Degree in Arlington, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Arlington, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$71K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$74K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.7 yrs
in Arlington
Cost of Living
142.5
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Arlington, VA Overview
Arlington, Virginia (pop. 238,643) has 9 colleges offering Fine Arts programs. The local cost of living index of 142.5 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $2,040/month. 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 Arlington is approximately $71,250.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$14,200/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$16,293/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,637/yr
Unemployment
2.2%
Graduation Rate
60%
Fine Arts Salary in Arlington (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Arlington's cost of living index of 142.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Arlington adjustment factor: 1.43x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Arlington
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Arlington tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,200 | Private avg: $38,000
Arlington avg aid: $10,637/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$121,972
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$21,375
vs HS diploma in Arlington
ROI Payback Period
5.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Arlington
$20,528
Lifetime earnings premium ($142,500) minus total education cost ($121,972)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Arlington
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Arlington for Fine Arts
Arlington State University
public
$14,920/yr
$59,680 total
University of Arlington
public
$14,115/yr
$56,460 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Arlington Community College
$6,397/yr
Virginia Technical College - Arlington
$5,927/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Arlington
Arlington offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Arlington Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby Virginia Cities
Virginia Beach, VA
$44K starting · COL 88
13 colleges
Chesapeake, VA
$46K starting · COL 91
12 colleges
Norfolk, VA
$47K starting · COL 93
16 colleges
Richmond, VA
$50K starting · COL 100
11 colleges
Newport News, VA
$46K starting · COL 92.5
7 colleges
Alexandria, VA
$51K starting · COL 102
8 colleges
Hampton, VA
$49K starting · COL 97
7 colleges
Roanoke, VA
$44K starting · COL 88.5
4 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Arlington
UX Design
$71K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$83K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$71K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$71K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$68K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$71K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$71K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$71K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Arlington — 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 Arlington.