Fine Arts Degree in Indianapolis, IN — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Indianapolis, IN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$47K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$49K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.4 yrs
in Indianapolis
Cost of Living
94
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Indianapolis, IN Overview
Indianapolis is one of Indiana's top college towns, with 25 institutions and a student population of 38,913. Public tuition averages $9,944/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 Indianapolis is approximately $47,000.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
25
Public Tuition
$9,944/yr
Private Tuition
$39,815/yr
Room & Board
$12,486/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,595/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
56%
Fine Arts Salary in Indianapolis (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Indianapolis's cost of living index of 94 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Indianapolis adjustment factor: 0.94x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Indianapolis
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Indianapolis tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,944 | Private avg: $39,815
Indianapolis avg aid: $12,595/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$89,720
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,100
vs HS diploma in Indianapolis
ROI Payback Period
6.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Indianapolis
$4,280
Lifetime earnings premium ($94,000) minus total education cost ($89,720)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Indianapolis
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Indianapolis for Fine Arts
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
public
$9,944/yr
$39,776 total
Butler University
private
$46,710/yr
$186,840 total
University of Indianapolis
private
$32,920/yr
$131,680 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Ivy Tech Community College
$4,540/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Indianapolis
Indianapolis offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Indianapolis Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby Indiana Cities
Fort Wayne, IN
$52K starting · COL 103
24 colleges
Evansville, IN
$43K starting · COL 86
10 colleges
South Bend, IN
$45K starting · COL 89
9 colleges
Carmel, IN
$53K starting · COL 105.2
4 colleges
Fishers, IN
$50K starting · COL 100.5
4 colleges
Bloomington, IN
$42K starting · COL 83
5 colleges
Hammond, IN
$47K starting · COL 93.1
4 colleges
Lafayette, IN
$42K starting · COL 84.8
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Indianapolis
UX Design
$47K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$55K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$47K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$47K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$45K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$47K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$47K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$47K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Indianapolis — 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 Indianapolis.