Fine Arts Degree in Rochester, NY — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Rochester, NY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$70K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$73K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.7 yrs
in Rochester
Cost of Living
140
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Rochester, NY Overview
Rochester, New York (pop. 211,328) has 13 colleges offering Fine Arts programs. The local cost of living index of 140 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,592/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 Rochester is approximately $70,000.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
13
Public Tuition
$13,886/yr
Private Tuition
$56,653/yr
Room & Board
$21,356/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,325/yr
Unemployment
5.8%
Graduation Rate
46%
Fine Arts Salary in Rochester (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Rochester's cost of living index of 140 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Rochester adjustment factor: 1.40x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Rochester
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Rochester tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,886 | Private avg: $56,653
Rochester avg aid: $10,325/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$140,968
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$21,000
vs HS diploma in Rochester
ROI Payback Period
6.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Rochester
$-968
Lifetime earnings premium ($140,000) minus total education cost ($140,968)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Rochester
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Rochester for Fine Arts
University of Rochester
private
$60,550/yr
$242,200 total
Rochester Institute of Technology
private
$52,756/yr
$211,024 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Monroe Community College
$5,504/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Rochester
Rochester offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Rochester Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby New York Cities
New York City, NY
$83K starting · COL 166
49 colleges
New York, NY
$94K starting · COL 187.2
279 colleges
Oyster Bay, NY
$73K starting · COL 145
11 colleges
Buffalo, NY
$61K starting · COL 122
10 colleges
North Hempstead, NY
$71K starting · COL 141.3
9 colleges
Babylon, NY
$76K starting · COL 152.3
8 colleges
Yonkers, NY
$73K starting · COL 145.3
8 colleges
Huntington, NY
$68K starting · COL 135.6
8 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Rochester
UX Design
$70K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$81K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$70K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$70K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$67K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$70K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$70K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$70K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Rochester — 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 Rochester.