Fine Arts Degree in Milwaukee, WI — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Milwaukee, WI. 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 yrs
in Milwaukee
Cost of Living
94
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Milwaukee, WI Overview
Milwaukee is one of Wisconsin's top college towns, with 33 institutions and a student population of 59,419. Public tuition averages $9,782/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 Milwaukee is approximately $47,000.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
33
Public Tuition
$9,782/yr
Private Tuition
$45,550/yr
Room & Board
$11,342/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,008/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
63%
Fine Arts Salary in Milwaukee (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Milwaukee'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.Milwaukee adjustment factor: 0.94x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Milwaukee
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Milwaukee tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,782 | Private avg: $45,550
Milwaukee avg aid: $13,008/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$84,496
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,100
vs HS diploma in Milwaukee
ROI Payback Period
6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Milwaukee
$9,504
Lifetime earnings premium ($94,000) minus total education cost ($84,496)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Milwaukee
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Milwaukee for Fine Arts
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
public
$9,782/yr
$39,128 total
Marquette University
private
$46,510/yr
$186,040 total
Milwaukee School of Engineering
private
$44,589/yr
$178,356 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Milwaukee Area Technical College
$4,620/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Milwaukee
Milwaukee offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Milwaukee Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby Wisconsin Cities
Madison, WI
$45K starting · COL 89
11 colleges
Green Bay, WI
$43K starting · COL 86
6 colleges
Kenosha, WI
$53K starting · COL 106
8 colleges
Racine, WI
$43K starting · COL 85.8
4 colleges
Appleton, WI
$40K starting · COL 79
6 colleges
Waukesha, WI
$45K starting · COL 90.5
3 colleges
Eau Claire, WI
$43K starting · COL 86
2 colleges
Oshkosh, WI
$54K starting · COL 107
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Milwaukee
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 Milwaukee — 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 Milwaukee.