Fine Arts Degree in Lubbock, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Lubbock, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$41K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$43K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.9 yrs
in Lubbock
Cost of Living
82
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Lubbock, TX Overview
Lubbock is one of Texas's top college towns, with 26 institutions and a student population of 104,491. Public tuition averages $11,380/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 Lubbock is approximately $41,000.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
26
Public Tuition
$11,380/yr
Private Tuition
$26,460/yr
Room & Board
$12,797/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,179/yr
Unemployment
5.5%
Graduation Rate
72%
Fine Arts Salary in Lubbock (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lubbock's cost of living index of 82 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Lubbock adjustment factor: 0.82x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Lubbock
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Lubbock tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,380 | Private avg: $26,460
Lubbock avg aid: $15,179/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$96,708
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,300
vs HS diploma in Lubbock
ROI Payback Period
7.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lubbock
$-14,708
Lifetime earnings premium ($82,000) minus total education cost ($96,708)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Lubbock
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lubbock for Fine Arts
Texas Tech University
public
$11,380/yr
$45,520 total
Lubbock Christian University
private
$26,460/yr
$105,840 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
South Plains College Lubbock Center
$2,604/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Lubbock
Lubbock offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lubbock 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 Lubbock
UX Design
$41K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$48K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$41K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$41K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$39K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$41K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$41K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$41K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Lubbock — 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 Lubbock.