Fine Arts Degree in Birmingham, AL — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Birmingham, AL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$44K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$46K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Birmingham
Cost of Living
88
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Birmingham, AL Overview
Birmingham, Alabama (pop. 200,733) has 10 colleges offering Fine Arts programs. The local cost of living index of 88 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,041/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 Birmingham is approximately $44,000.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$10,440/yr
Private Tuition
$36,380/yr
Room & Board
$10,096/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,275/yr
Unemployment
5.9%
Graduation Rate
68%
Fine Arts Salary in Birmingham (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Birmingham's cost of living index of 88 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Birmingham adjustment factor: 0.88x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Birmingham
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Birmingham tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,440 | Private avg: $36,380
Birmingham avg aid: $14,275/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$82,144
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,200
vs HS diploma in Birmingham
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Birmingham
$5,856
Lifetime earnings premium ($88,000) minus total education cost ($82,144)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Birmingham
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Birmingham for Fine Arts
University of Alabama at Birmingham
public
$10,440/yr
$41,760 total
Samford University
private
$36,380/yr
$145,520 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Jefferson State Community College
$4,800/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Birmingham
Birmingham offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Birmingham Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby Alabama Cities
Huntsville, AL
$49K starting · COL 98
21 colleges
Montgomery, AL
$46K starting · COL 92
21 colleges
Mobile, AL
$49K starting · COL 98
12 colleges
Tuscaloosa, AL
$39K starting · COL 78
8 colleges
Hoover, AL
$48K starting · COL 95.8
4 colleges
Auburn, AL
$52K starting · COL 103
2 colleges
Dothan, AL
$41K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Decatur, AL
$41K starting · COL 82.8
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Birmingham
UX Design
$44K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$51K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$44K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$44K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$42K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$44K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$44K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$44K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Birmingham — 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 Birmingham.