Fine Arts Degree in Corpus Christi, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Corpus Christi, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$41K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$43K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.7 yrs
in Corpus Christi
Cost of Living
82
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Corpus Christi, TX Overview
Corpus Christi is one of Texas's top college towns, with 22 institutions and a student population of 19,872. Public tuition averages $9,426/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 Corpus Christi is approximately $41,000.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
22
Public Tuition
$9,426/yr
Private Tuition
$25,421/yr
Room & Board
$11,163/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,317/yr
Unemployment
3.8%
Graduation Rate
68%
Fine Arts Salary in Corpus Christi (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Corpus Christi's cost of living index of 82 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Corpus Christi adjustment factor: 0.82x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Corpus Christi
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Corpus Christi tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,426 | Private avg: $25,421
Corpus Christi avg aid: $12,317/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$82,356
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,300
vs HS diploma in Corpus Christi
ROI Payback Period
6.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Corpus Christi
$-356
Lifetime earnings premium ($82,000) minus total education cost ($82,356)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Corpus Christi
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Corpus Christi for Fine Arts
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
public
$9,426/yr
$37,704 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Del Mar College
$2,604/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Corpus Christi Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby Texas Cities
Houston, TX
$58K starting · COL 115
90 colleges
San Antonio, TX
$60K starting · COL 120
58 colleges
Dallas, TX
$52K starting · COL 104
82 colleges
Austin, TX
$54K starting · COL 107
30 colleges
Fort Worth, TX
$51K starting · COL 101
19 colleges
El Paso, TX
$47K starting · COL 93
38 colleges
Arlington, TX
$47K starting · COL 93.5
14 colleges
Plano, TX
$43K starting · COL 85
9 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Corpus Christi
UX Design
$41K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$48K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$41K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$41K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$39K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$41K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$41K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$41K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Corpus Christi — 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 Corpus Christi.