Fine Arts Degree in Gilbert, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Gilbert, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$60K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$62K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.9 yrs
in Gilbert
Cost of Living
119
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Gilbert, AZ Overview
Gilbert is one of Arizona's top college towns, with 26 institutions and a student population of 27,183. Public tuition averages $11,758/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 Gilbert is approximately $59,500.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
26
Public Tuition
$11,758/yr
Private Tuition
$26,400/yr
Room & Board
$19,092/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,808/yr
Unemployment
4.9%
Graduation Rate
49%
Fine Arts Salary in Gilbert (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Gilbert's cost of living index of 119 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Gilbert adjustment factor: 1.19x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Gilbert
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Gilbert tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,758 | Private avg: $26,400
Gilbert avg aid: $12,808/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$123,400
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,850
vs HS diploma in Gilbert
ROI Payback Period
6.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Gilbert
$-4,400
Lifetime earnings premium ($119,000) minus total education cost ($123,400)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Gilbert
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Gilbert for Fine Arts
University of Advancing Technology Gilbert
private
$26,400/yr
$105,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Gilbert
Gilbert offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Gilbert Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby Arizona Cities
Phoenix, AZ
$76K starting · COL 152
72 colleges
Tucson, AZ
$58K starting · COL 116
24 colleges
Mesa, AZ
$55K starting · COL 110
31 colleges
Chandler, AZ
$62K starting · COL 124
22 colleges
Glendale, AZ
$53K starting · COL 105
16 colleges
Scottsdale, AZ
$63K starting · COL 126
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$52K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Tempe, AZ
$57K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Gilbert
UX Design
$60K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$69K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$60K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$60K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$57K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$60K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$60K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$60K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Gilbert — 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 Gilbert.