Fine Arts Degree in Gresham, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Gresham, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$55K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$57K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.3 yrs
in Gresham
Cost of Living
110.2
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Gresham, OR Overview
While Gresham has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Fine Arts students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $13,788/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 Gresham is approximately $55,100.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$12,400/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,788/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,238/yr
Unemployment
3.9%
Graduation Rate
75%
Fine Arts Salary in Gresham (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Gresham's cost of living index of 110.2 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Gresham adjustment factor: 1.10x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Gresham
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Gresham tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,400 | Private avg: $38,000
Gresham avg aid: $11,238/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$104,752
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,530
vs HS diploma in Gresham
ROI Payback Period
6.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Gresham
$5,448
Lifetime earnings premium ($110,200) minus total education cost ($104,752)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Gresham
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Gresham for Fine Arts
Gresham State University
public
$11,604/yr
$46,416 total
University of Gresham
public
$12,019/yr
$48,076 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Gresham Community College
$5,463/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Gresham
Gresham offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Gresham Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby Oregon Cities
Portland, OR
$56K starting · COL 112
24 colleges
Eugene, OR
$65K starting · COL 130
14 colleges
Salem, OR
$60K starting · COL 120
14 colleges
Hillsboro, OR
$58K starting · COL 115.5
5 colleges
Bend, OR
$54K starting · COL 107
2 colleges
Beaverton, OR
$53K starting · COL 105.9
4 colleges
Medford, OR
$56K starting · COL 111
4 colleges
Springfield, OR
$60K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Gresham
UX Design
$55K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$64K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$55K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$55K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$53K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$55K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$55K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$55K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Gresham — 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 Gresham.