Fine Arts Degree in Raleigh, NC — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Raleigh, NC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$42K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$43K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.3 yrs
in Raleigh
Cost of Living
83
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Raleigh, NC Overview
Raleigh is one of North Carolina's top college towns, with 21 institutions and a student population of 113,809. Public tuition averages $9,101/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 Raleigh is approximately $41,500.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
21
Public Tuition
$9,101/yr
Private Tuition
$30,399/yr
Room & Board
$10,389/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,262/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
62%
Fine Arts Salary in Raleigh (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Raleigh's cost of living index of 83 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Raleigh adjustment factor: 0.83x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Raleigh
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Raleigh tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,101 | Private avg: $30,399
Raleigh avg aid: $7,262/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$77,960
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,450
vs HS diploma in Raleigh
ROI Payback Period
6.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Raleigh
$5,040
Lifetime earnings premium ($83,000) minus total education cost ($77,960)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Raleigh
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Raleigh for Fine Arts
North Carolina State University
public
$9,101/yr
$36,404 total
Meredith College
private
$42,074/yr
$168,296 total
Shaw University
private
$18,724/yr
$74,896 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Wake Technical Community College
$2,864/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Raleigh
Raleigh offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Raleigh Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby North Carolina Cities
Charlotte, NC
$45K starting · COL 89
39 colleges
Greensboro, NC
$46K starting · COL 91
17 colleges
Durham, NC
$55K starting · COL 109
25 colleges
Winston-Salem, NC
$53K starting · COL 106
26 colleges
Fayetteville, NC
$45K starting · COL 90
15 colleges
Cary, NC
$54K starting · COL 108.5
7 colleges
Wilmington, NC
$48K starting · COL 95
5 colleges
High Point, NC
$42K starting · COL 84.5
5 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Raleigh
UX Design
$42K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$48K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$42K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$42K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$40K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$42K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$42K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$42K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Raleigh — 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 Raleigh.