Fine Arts Degree in Bakersfield, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Bakersfield, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$67K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$70K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5 yrs
in Bakersfield
Cost of Living
134
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Bakersfield, CA Overview
Bakersfield, California (pop. 403,455) has 18 colleges offering Fine Arts programs. The local cost of living index of 134 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,090/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 Bakersfield is approximately $67,000.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
18
Public Tuition
$7,309/yr
Private Tuition
$35,366/yr
Room & Board
$18,003/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,787/yr
Unemployment
6.3%
Graduation Rate
48%
Fine Arts Salary in Bakersfield (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Bakersfield's cost of living index of 134 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Bakersfield adjustment factor: 1.34x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Bakersfield
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Bakersfield tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,309 | Private avg: $35,366
Bakersfield avg aid: $13,787/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$101,248
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$20,100
vs HS diploma in Bakersfield
ROI Payback Period
5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Bakersfield
$32,752
Lifetime earnings premium ($134,000) minus total education cost ($101,248)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Bakersfield
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Bakersfield for Fine Arts
California State University, Bakersfield
public
$7,309/yr
$29,236 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Bakersfield College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Bakersfield
Bakersfield offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Bakersfield Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$71K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$70K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$65K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$57K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$59K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$56K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$58K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$66K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Bakersfield
UX Design
$67K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$78K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$67K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$67K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$64K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$67K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$67K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$67K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Bakersfield — 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 Bakersfield.