Fine Arts Degree in Atlanta, GA — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Atlanta, GA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$51K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$53K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6 yrs
in Atlanta
Cost of Living
101
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Atlanta, GA Overview
Atlanta is one of Georgia's top college towns, with 23 institutions and a student population of 29,341. Public tuition averages $10,828/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 Atlanta is approximately $50,500.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
23
Public Tuition
$10,828/yr
Private Tuition
$57,948/yr
Room & Board
$11,866/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,255/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
50%
Fine Arts Salary in Atlanta (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Atlanta's cost of living index of 101 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Atlanta adjustment factor: 1.01x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Atlanta
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Atlanta tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,828 | Private avg: $57,948
Atlanta avg aid: $15,255/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$90,776
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,150
vs HS diploma in Atlanta
ROI Payback Period
6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Atlanta
$10,224
Lifetime earnings premium ($101,000) minus total education cost ($90,776)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Atlanta
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Atlanta for Fine Arts
Georgia Institute of Technology
public
$12,682/yr
$50,728 total
Emory University
private
$57,948/yr
$231,792 total
Georgia State University
public
$8,974/yr
$35,896 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Atlanta Technical College
$3,152/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Atlanta
Atlanta offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Atlanta Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby Georgia Cities
Columbus, GA
$42K starting · COL 84.5
8 colleges
Augusta, GA
$42K starting · COL 83
11 colleges
Macon, GA
$51K starting · COL 101
13 colleges
Savannah, GA
$48K starting · COL 95
12 colleges
Athens, GA
$52K starting · COL 103
11 colleges
Sandy Springs, GA
$56K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Roswell, GA
$54K starting · COL 108.2
4 colleges
Johns Creek, GA
$56K starting · COL 112.8
4 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Atlanta
UX Design
$51K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$59K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$51K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$51K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$48K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$51K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$51K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$51K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Atlanta — 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 Atlanta.