Fine Arts Degree in Hillsboro, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Hillsboro, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$58K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$60K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.1 yrs
in Hillsboro
Cost of Living
115.5
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Hillsboro, OR Overview
While Hillsboro has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Fine Arts students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $13,938/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 Hillsboro is approximately $57,750.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$12,400/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,938/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,549/yr
Unemployment
4.4%
Graduation Rate
47%
Fine Arts Salary in Hillsboro (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Hillsboro's cost of living index of 115.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Hillsboro adjustment factor: 1.16x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Hillsboro
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Hillsboro tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,400 | Private avg: $38,000
Hillsboro avg aid: $9,549/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$105,352
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,325
vs HS diploma in Hillsboro
ROI Payback Period
6.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Hillsboro
$10,148
Lifetime earnings premium ($115,500) minus total education cost ($105,352)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Hillsboro
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Hillsboro for Fine Arts
Hillsboro State University
public
$12,045/yr
$48,180 total
University of Hillsboro
public
$13,855/yr
$55,420 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Hillsboro Community College
$5,881/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Hillsboro
Hillsboro offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Hillsboro 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
Gresham, OR
$55K starting · COL 110.2
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 Hillsboro
UX Design
$58K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$67K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$58K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$58K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$55K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$58K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$58K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$58K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Hillsboro — 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 Hillsboro.