Fine Arts Degree in Pittsburgh, PA — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Pittsburgh, PA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$58K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$60K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.2 yrs
in Pittsburgh
Cost of Living
115
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Pittsburgh, PA Overview
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (pop. 302,971) has 12 colleges offering Fine Arts programs. The local cost of living index of 115 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,285/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 Pittsburgh is approximately $57,500.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$19,718/yr
Private Tuition
$61,344/yr
Room & Board
$15,793/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,441/yr
Unemployment
6.9%
Graduation Rate
63%
Fine Arts Salary in Pittsburgh (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Pittsburgh's cost of living index of 115 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Pittsburgh adjustment factor: 1.15x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Pittsburgh
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Pittsburgh tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $19,718 | Private avg: $61,344
Pittsburgh avg aid: $13,441/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$142,044
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,250
vs HS diploma in Pittsburgh
ROI Payback Period
8.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Pittsburgh
$-27,044
Lifetime earnings premium ($115,000) minus total education cost ($142,044)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Pittsburgh
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Pittsburgh for Fine Arts
University of Pittsburgh
public
$19,718/yr
$78,872 total
Carnegie Mellon University
private
$61,344/yr
$245,376 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Community College of Allegheny County
$5,070/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Pittsburgh Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Philadelphia, PA
$75K starting · COL 150
42 colleges
Allentown, PA
$57K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Reading, PA
$59K starting · COL 118
3 colleges
Erie, PA
$60K starting · COL 120
4 colleges
Upper Darby, PA
$47K starting · COL 94.5
4 colleges
Scranton, PA
$60K starting · COL 120
8 colleges
Bethlehem, PA
$63K starting · COL 125
7 colleges
Lower Merion, PA
$46K starting · COL 91.4
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Pittsburgh
UX Design
$58K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$67K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$58K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$58K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$55K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$58K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$58K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$58K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Pittsburgh — 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 Pittsburgh.