Fine Arts Degree in Arvada, CO — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Arvada, CO. 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
6.6 yrs
in Arvada
Cost of Living
105.5
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Arvada, CO Overview
While Arvada has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Fine Arts students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $13,944/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 Arvada is approximately $52,750.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$12,200/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,944/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,461/yr
Unemployment
3%
Graduation Rate
50%
Fine Arts Salary in Arvada (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Arvada's cost of living index of 105.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Arvada adjustment factor: 1.05x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Arvada
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Arvada tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,200 | Private avg: $38,000
Arvada avg aid: $8,461/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$104,576
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,825
vs HS diploma in Arvada
ROI Payback Period
6.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Arvada
$924
Lifetime earnings premium ($105,500) minus total education cost ($104,576)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Arvada
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Arvada for Fine Arts
Arvada State University
public
$11,667/yr
$46,668 total
University of Arvada
public
$11,617/yr
$46,468 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Arvada Community College
$5,532/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Arvada
Arvada offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Arvada Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby Colorado Cities
Denver, CO
$64K starting · COL 128
31 colleges
Colorado Springs, CO
$61K starting · COL 122
22 colleges
Aurora, CO
$56K starting · COL 111
28 colleges
Fort Collins, CO
$63K starting · COL 126
5 colleges
Lakewood, CO
$53K starting · COL 105.8
6 colleges
Thornton, CO
$51K starting · COL 102.5
6 colleges
Westminster, CO
$52K starting · COL 103.8
5 colleges
Pueblo, CO
$61K starting · COL 122
13 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Arvada
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
$51K 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 Arvada — 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 Arvada.