Fine Arts Degree in Las Cruces, NM — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Las Cruces, NM. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$62K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$64K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.8 yrs
in Las Cruces
Cost of Living
123
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Las Cruces, NM Overview
Las Cruces, New Mexico (pop. 111,385) has 12 colleges offering Fine Arts programs. The local cost of living index of 123 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,443/month. 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 Las Cruces is approximately $61,500.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$7,554/yr
Private Tuition
$45,711/yr
Room & Board
$19,302/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,870/yr
Unemployment
6.7%
Graduation Rate
60%
Fine Arts Salary in Las Cruces (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Las Cruces's cost of living index of 123 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Las Cruces adjustment factor: 1.23x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Las Cruces
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Las Cruces tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,554 | Private avg: $45,711
Las Cruces avg aid: $11,870/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$107,424
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,450
vs HS diploma in Las Cruces
ROI Payback Period
5.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Las Cruces
$15,576
Lifetime earnings premium ($123,000) minus total education cost ($107,424)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Las Cruces
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Las Cruces for Fine Arts
New Mexico State University
public
$7,554/yr
$30,216 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Dona Ana Community College
$1,848/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Las Cruces
Las Cruces offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Las Cruces Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby New Mexico Cities
Other Arts & Design Majors in Las Cruces
UX Design
$62K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$71K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$62K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$62K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$59K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$62K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$62K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$62K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Las Cruces — 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 Las Cruces.