Fine Arts Degree in Reno, NV — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Reno, NV. 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
5.1 yrs
in Reno
Cost of Living
116
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Reno, NV Overview
Reno is one of Nevada's top college towns, with 21 institutions and a student population of 20,250. Public tuition averages $8,691/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 Reno is approximately $58,000.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
21
Public Tuition
$8,691/yr
Private Tuition
$55,136/yr
Room & Board
$13,579/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,613/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
64%
Fine Arts Salary in Reno (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Reno's cost of living index of 116 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Reno adjustment factor: 1.16x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Reno
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Reno tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,691 | Private avg: $55,136
Reno avg aid: $15,613/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$89,080
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,400
vs HS diploma in Reno
ROI Payback Period
5.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Reno
$26,920
Lifetime earnings premium ($116,000) minus total education cost ($89,080)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Reno
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Reno for Fine Arts
University of Nevada, Reno
public
$8,691/yr
$34,764 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Truckee Meadows Community College
$3,420/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Reno
Reno offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Reno Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby Nevada Cities
Las Vegas, NV
$58K starting · COL 115
45 colleges
Henderson, NV
$65K starting · COL 129
12 colleges
North Las Vegas, NV
$49K starting · COL 98.5
10 colleges
Spring Valley, NV
$50K starting · COL 100.2
8 colleges
Sunrise Manor, NV
$48K starting · COL 95.8
7 colleges
Paradise, NV
$50K starting · COL 100.5
7 colleges
Enterprise, NV
$52K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Sparks, NV
$53K starting · COL 105.2
5 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Reno
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
$56K 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 Reno — 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 Reno.