Fine Arts Degree in Chattanooga, TN — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Chattanooga, TN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$40K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$42K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.3 yrs
in Chattanooga
Cost of Living
80
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Chattanooga, TN Overview
While Chattanooga has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Fine Arts students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $12,210/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 Chattanooga is approximately $40,000.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$9,648/yr
Private Tuition
$39,466/yr
Room & Board
$12,210/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,310/yr
Unemployment
3%
Graduation Rate
50%
Fine Arts Salary in Chattanooga (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Chattanooga's cost of living index of 80 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Chattanooga adjustment factor: 0.80x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Chattanooga
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Chattanooga tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,648 | Private avg: $39,466
Chattanooga avg aid: $9,310/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$87,432
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,000
vs HS diploma in Chattanooga
ROI Payback Period
7.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Chattanooga
$-7,432
Lifetime earnings premium ($80,000) minus total education cost ($87,432)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Chattanooga
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Chattanooga for Fine Arts
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
public
$9,648/yr
$38,592 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Chattanooga State Community College
$4,320/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Chattanooga
Chattanooga offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Chattanooga Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby Tennessee Cities
Nashville, TN
$46K starting · COL 92
35 colleges
Memphis, TN
$47K starting · COL 93
22 colleges
Knoxville, TN
$43K starting · COL 85
5 colleges
Clarksville, TN
$45K starting · COL 90
9 colleges
Murfreesboro, TN
$46K starting · COL 91
10 colleges
Franklin, TN
$59K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Jackson, TN
$41K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Johnson City, TN
$53K starting · COL 105
6 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Chattanooga
UX Design
$40K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$46K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$40K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$40K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$38K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$40K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$40K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$40K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Chattanooga — 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 Chattanooga.