Fine Arts Degree in Reading, PA — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Reading, PA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$59K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$61K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.2 yrs
in Reading
Cost of Living
118
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Reading, PA Overview
While Reading has a smaller college scene with 3 institutions, Fine Arts students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $21,301/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 Reading is approximately $59,000.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
3
Public Tuition
$15,201/yr
Private Tuition
$37,128/yr
Room & Board
$21,301/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,361/yr
Unemployment
6.7%
Graduation Rate
63%
Fine Arts Salary in Reading (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Reading's cost of living index of 118 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Reading adjustment factor: 1.18x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Reading
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Reading tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,201 | Private avg: $37,128
Reading avg aid: $13,361/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$146,008
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,700
vs HS diploma in Reading
ROI Payback Period
8.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Reading
$-28,008
Lifetime earnings premium ($118,000) minus total education cost ($146,008)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Reading
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Reading for Fine Arts
Alvernia University
private
$37,128/yr
$148,512 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Reading Area Community College
$5,070/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Reading
Reading offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Reading 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
Pittsburgh, PA
$58K starting · COL 115
12 colleges
Allentown, PA
$57K starting · COL 113
5 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 Reading
UX Design
$59K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$68K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$59K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$59K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$57K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$59K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$59K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$59K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Reading — 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 Reading.