Fine Arts Degree in Rockford, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Rockford, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$45K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$47K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.4 yrs
in Rockford
Cost of Living
90
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Rockford, IL Overview
Rockford, Illinois (pop. 148,655) has 8 colleges offering Fine Arts programs. The local cost of living index of 90 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,026/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 Rockford is approximately $45,000.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
8
Public Tuition
$9,764/yr
Private Tuition
$34,200/yr
Room & Board
$8,562/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,234/yr
Unemployment
5.9%
Graduation Rate
48%
Fine Arts Salary in Rockford (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Rockford's cost of living index of 90 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Rockford adjustment factor: 0.90x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Rockford
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Rockford tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,764 | Private avg: $34,200
Rockford avg aid: $14,234/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$73,304
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,500
vs HS diploma in Rockford
ROI Payback Period
5.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Rockford
$16,696
Lifetime earnings premium ($90,000) minus total education cost ($73,304)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Rockford
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Rockford for Fine Arts
Rockford University
private
$34,200/yr
$136,800 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Rock Valley College
$4,980/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Rockford
Rockford offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Rockford Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby Illinois Cities
Chicago, IL
$55K starting · COL 109
98 colleges
Aurora, IL
$46K starting · COL 92.8
7 colleges
Joliet, IL
$54K starting · COL 108
12 colleges
Naperville, IL
$51K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Elgin, IL
$40K starting · COL 79
13 colleges
Springfield, IL
$46K starting · COL 92
9 colleges
Peoria, IL
$52K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Waukegan, IL
$45K starting · COL 90.3
4 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Rockford
UX Design
$45K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$52K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$45K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$45K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$43K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$45K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$45K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$45K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Rockford — 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 Rockford.