Fine Arts Degree in Sacramento, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Sacramento, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$58K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.5 yrs
in Sacramento
Cost of Living
112
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Sacramento, CA Overview
Sacramento is one of California's top college towns, with 38 institutions and a student population of 18,535. Public tuition averages $7,488/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 Sacramento is approximately $56,000.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
38
Public Tuition
$7,488/yr
Private Tuition
$44,382/yr
Room & Board
$19,962/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,517/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
55%
Fine Arts Salary in Sacramento (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Sacramento's cost of living index of 112 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Sacramento adjustment factor: 1.12x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Sacramento
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Sacramento tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,488 | Private avg: $44,382
Sacramento avg aid: $16,517/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$109,800
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,800
vs HS diploma in Sacramento
ROI Payback Period
6.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Sacramento
$2,200
Lifetime earnings premium ($112,000) minus total education cost ($109,800)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Sacramento
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Sacramento for Fine Arts
Sacramento State University
public
$7,488/yr
$29,952 total
University of the Pacific
private
$52,584/yr
$210,336 total
William Jessup University
private
$36,180/yr
$144,720 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Sacramento City College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Sacramento
Sacramento offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Sacramento Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$71K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$70K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$65K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$57K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$59K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$58K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$66K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Bakersfield, CA
$67K starting · COL 134
18 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Sacramento
UX Design
$56K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$65K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$56K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$56K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$54K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$56K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$56K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$56K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Sacramento — 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 Sacramento.