Fine Arts Degree in Boise, ID — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Boise, ID. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$61K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$63K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.8 yrs
in Boise
Cost of Living
121
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Boise, ID Overview
Boise is one of Idaho's top college towns, with 27 institutions and a student population of 13,506. Public tuition averages $8,060/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 Boise is approximately $60,500.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
27
Public Tuition
$8,060/yr
Private Tuition
$34,250/yr
Room & Board
$13,521/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,294/yr
Unemployment
5.6%
Graduation Rate
58%
Fine Arts Salary in Boise (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Boise's cost of living index of 121 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Boise adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Boise
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Boise tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,060 | Private avg: $34,250
Boise avg aid: $15,294/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$86,324
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,150
vs HS diploma in Boise
ROI Payback Period
4.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Boise
$34,676
Lifetime earnings premium ($121,000) minus total education cost ($86,324)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Boise
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Boise for Fine Arts
Boise State University
public
$8,060/yr
$32,240 total
College of Idaho
private
$34,250/yr
$137,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
College of Western Idaho
$3,456/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Boise
Boise offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Boise Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby Idaho Cities
Meridian, ID
$52K starting · COL 103.8
5 colleges
Nampa, ID
$48K starting · COL 95.8
4 colleges
Idaho Falls, ID
$46K starting · COL 92.5
3 colleges
Caldwell, ID
$46K starting · COL 92.8
3 colleges
Pocatello, ID
$59K starting · COL 118
6 colleges
Coeur d'Alene, ID
$53K starting · COL 105.2
3 colleges
Twin Falls, ID
$63K starting · COL 126
5 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Boise
UX Design
$61K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$70K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$61K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$61K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$58K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$61K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$61K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$61K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Boise — 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 Boise.