Fine Arts Degree in Racine, WI — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Racine, WI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$43K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$45K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.2 yrs
in Racine
Cost of Living
85.8
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Racine, WI Overview
While Racine has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Fine Arts students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $12,562/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. 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 Racine is approximately $42,900.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,600/yr
Private Tuition
$34,000/yr
Room & Board
$12,562/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,051/yr
Unemployment
2.1%
Graduation Rate
72%
Fine Arts Salary in Racine (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Racine's cost of living index of 85.8 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Racine adjustment factor: 0.86x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Racine
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Racine tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,600 | Private avg: $34,000
Racine avg aid: $8,051/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$92,648
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,870
vs HS diploma in Racine
ROI Payback Period
7.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Racine
$-6,848
Lifetime earnings premium ($85,800) minus total education cost ($92,648)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Racine
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Racine for Fine Arts
Racine State University
public
$11,121/yr
$44,484 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Racine Community College
$5,143/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Racine
Racine offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Racine 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
Milwaukee, WI
$47K starting · COL 94
33 colleges
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
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 Racine
UX Design
$43K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$50K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$43K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$43K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$41K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$43K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$43K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$43K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Racine — 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 Racine.