Fine Arts Degree in Bloomington, IN — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Bloomington, IN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$42K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$43K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.6 yrs
in Bloomington
Cost of Living
83
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Bloomington, IN Overview
While Bloomington has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Fine Arts students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $12,831/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 Bloomington is approximately $41,500.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$10,948/yr
Private Tuition
$35,439/yr
Room & Board
$12,831/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,996/yr
Unemployment
5.2%
Graduation Rate
64%
Fine Arts Salary in Bloomington (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Bloomington's cost of living index of 83 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Bloomington adjustment factor: 0.83x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Bloomington
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Bloomington tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,948 | Private avg: $35,439
Bloomington avg aid: $13,996/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$95,116
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,450
vs HS diploma in Bloomington
ROI Payback Period
7.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Bloomington
$-12,116
Lifetime earnings premium ($83,000) minus total education cost ($95,116)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Bloomington
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Bloomington for Fine Arts
Indiana University Bloomington
public
$10,948/yr
$43,792 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington
$4,540/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Bloomington
Bloomington offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Bloomington Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby Indiana Cities
Indianapolis, IN
$47K starting · COL 94
25 colleges
Fort Wayne, IN
$52K starting · COL 103
24 colleges
Evansville, IN
$43K starting · COL 86
10 colleges
South Bend, IN
$45K starting · COL 89
9 colleges
Carmel, IN
$53K starting · COL 105.2
4 colleges
Fishers, IN
$50K starting · COL 100.5
4 colleges
Hammond, IN
$47K starting · COL 93.1
4 colleges
Lafayette, IN
$42K starting · COL 84.8
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Bloomington
UX Design
$42K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$48K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$42K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$42K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$40K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$42K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$42K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$42K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Bloomington — 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 Bloomington.