Fine Arts Degree in Irving, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Irving, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$54K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5 yrs
in Irving
Cost of Living
104
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Irving, TX Overview
Irving is one of Texas's top college towns, with 23 institutions and a student population of 13,394. Public tuition averages $7,612/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 Irving is approximately $52,000.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
23
Public Tuition
$7,612/yr
Private Tuition
$44,780/yr
Room & Board
$11,777/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,860/yr
Unemployment
5.2%
Graduation Rate
47%
Fine Arts Salary in Irving (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Irving's cost of living index of 104 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Irving adjustment factor: 1.04x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Irving
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Irving tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,612 | Private avg: $44,780
Irving avg aid: $12,860/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$77,556
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,600
vs HS diploma in Irving
ROI Payback Period
5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Irving
$26,444
Lifetime earnings premium ($104,000) minus total education cost ($77,556)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Irving
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Irving for Fine Arts
University of Dallas
private
$44,780/yr
$179,120 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
North Lake College
$2,220/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Irving
Irving offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Irving Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby Texas Cities
Houston, TX
$58K starting · COL 115
90 colleges
San Antonio, TX
$60K starting · COL 120
58 colleges
Dallas, TX
$52K starting · COL 104
82 colleges
Austin, TX
$54K starting · COL 107
30 colleges
Fort Worth, TX
$51K starting · COL 101
19 colleges
El Paso, TX
$47K starting · COL 93
38 colleges
Arlington, TX
$47K starting · COL 93.5
14 colleges
Corpus Christi, TX
$41K starting · COL 82
22 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Irving
UX Design
$52K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$60K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$52K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$52K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$50K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$52K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$52K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$52K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Irving — 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 Irving.