Fine Arts Degree in Montgomery, AL — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Montgomery, AL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$46K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$48K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.4 yrs
in Montgomery
Cost of Living
92
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Montgomery, AL Overview
Montgomery is one of Alabama's top college towns, with 21 institutions and a student population of 17,419. Public tuition averages $10,814/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 Montgomery is approximately $46,000.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
21
Public Tuition
$10,814/yr
Private Tuition
$29,622/yr
Room & Board
$11,372/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,044/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
46%
Fine Arts Salary in Montgomery (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Montgomery's cost of living index of 92 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Montgomery adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Montgomery
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Montgomery tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,814 | Private avg: $29,622
Montgomery avg aid: $7,044/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$88,744
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,800
vs HS diploma in Montgomery
ROI Payback Period
6.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Montgomery
$3,256
Lifetime earnings premium ($92,000) minus total education cost ($88,744)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Montgomery
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Montgomery for Fine Arts
Alabama State University
public
$11,068/yr
$44,272 total
Auburn University at Montgomery
public
$10,560/yr
$42,240 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Trenholm State Community College
$4,800/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Montgomery
Montgomery offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Montgomery Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby Alabama Cities
Huntsville, AL
$49K starting · COL 98
21 colleges
Birmingham, AL
$44K starting · COL 88
10 colleges
Mobile, AL
$49K starting · COL 98
12 colleges
Tuscaloosa, AL
$39K starting · COL 78
8 colleges
Hoover, AL
$48K starting · COL 95.8
4 colleges
Auburn, AL
$52K starting · COL 103
2 colleges
Dothan, AL
$41K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Decatur, AL
$41K starting · COL 82.8
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Montgomery
UX Design
$46K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$53K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$46K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$46K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$44K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$46K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$46K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$46K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Montgomery — 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 Montgomery.