Fine Arts Degree in Omaha, NE — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Omaha, NE. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$44K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$45K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.5 yrs
in Omaha
Cost of Living
87
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Omaha, NE Overview
Omaha is one of Nebraska's top college towns, with 23 institutions and a student population of 33,866. Public tuition averages $8,268/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 Omaha is approximately $43,500.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
23
Public Tuition
$8,268/yr
Private Tuition
$26,461/yr
Room & Board
$12,792/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,593/yr
Unemployment
5.6%
Graduation Rate
56%
Fine Arts Salary in Omaha (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Omaha's cost of living index of 87 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Omaha adjustment factor: 0.87x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Omaha
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Omaha tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,268 | Private avg: $26,461
Omaha avg aid: $11,593/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$84,240
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,050
vs HS diploma in Omaha
ROI Payback Period
6.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Omaha
$2,760
Lifetime earnings premium ($87,000) minus total education cost ($84,240)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Omaha
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Omaha for Fine Arts
University of Nebraska at Omaha
public
$8,268/yr
$33,072 total
Creighton University
private
$44,146/yr
$176,584 total
Bellevue University
private
$8,775/yr
$35,100 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Metropolitan Community College Omaha
$3,540/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Omaha
Omaha offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Omaha Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby Nebraska Cities
Other Arts & Design Majors in Omaha
UX Design
$44K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$50K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$44K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$44K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$42K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$44K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$44K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$44K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Omaha — 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 Omaha.