Fine Arts Degree in Franklin, TN — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Franklin, TN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$59K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$62K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.8 yrs
in Franklin
Cost of Living
118.5
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Franklin, TN Overview
While Franklin has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Fine Arts students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $15,807/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 Franklin is approximately $59,250.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,100/yr
Private Tuition
$32,000/yr
Room & Board
$15,807/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,962/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
56%
Fine Arts Salary in Franklin (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Franklin's cost of living index of 118.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Franklin adjustment factor: 1.19x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Franklin
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Franklin tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,100 | Private avg: $32,000
Franklin avg aid: $15,962/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,628
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,775
vs HS diploma in Franklin
ROI Payback Period
5.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Franklin
$14,872
Lifetime earnings premium ($118,500) minus total education cost ($103,628)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Franklin
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Franklin for Fine Arts
Franklin State University
public
$10,603/yr
$42,412 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Franklin Community College
$5,615/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Franklin
Franklin offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Franklin 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
Chattanooga, TN
$40K starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Clarksville, TN
$45K starting · COL 90
9 colleges
Murfreesboro, TN
$46K starting · COL 91
10 colleges
Jackson, TN
$41K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Johnson City, TN
$53K starting · COL 105
6 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Franklin
UX Design
$59K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$69K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$59K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$59K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$57K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$59K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$59K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$59K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Franklin — 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 Franklin.