Fine Arts Degree in Newport News, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Newport News, VA. 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
8.3 yrs
in Newport News
Cost of Living
92.5
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Newport News, VA Overview
Newport News, Virginia (pop. 186,247) has 7 colleges offering Fine Arts programs. The local cost of living index of 92.5 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $705/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 Newport News is approximately $46,250.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$14,200/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,491/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,779/yr
Unemployment
2.2%
Graduation Rate
51%
Fine Arts Salary in Newport News (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Newport News's cost of living index of 92.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Newport News adjustment factor: 0.93x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Newport News
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Newport News tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,200 | Private avg: $38,000
Newport News avg aid: $9,779/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$114,764
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,875
vs HS diploma in Newport News
ROI Payback Period
8.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Newport News
$-22,264
Lifetime earnings premium ($92,500) minus total education cost ($114,764)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Newport News
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Newport News for Fine Arts
Newport News State University
public
$13,266/yr
$53,064 total
University of Newport News
public
$15,083/yr
$60,332 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Newport News Community College
$5,242/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Newport News
Newport News offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Newport News Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby Virginia Cities
Virginia Beach, VA
$44K starting · COL 88
13 colleges
Chesapeake, VA
$46K starting · COL 91
12 colleges
Arlington, VA
$71K starting · COL 142.5
9 colleges
Norfolk, VA
$47K starting · COL 93
16 colleges
Richmond, VA
$50K starting · COL 100
11 colleges
Alexandria, VA
$51K starting · COL 102
8 colleges
Hampton, VA
$49K starting · COL 97
7 colleges
Roanoke, VA
$44K starting · COL 88.5
4 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Newport News
UX Design
$46K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$54K 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 Newport News — 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 Newport News.