Fine Arts Degree in San Bernardino, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for San Bernardino, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$54K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.2 yrs
in San Bernardino
Cost of Living
104
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in San Bernardino, CA Overview
San Bernardino is one of California's top college towns, with 22 institutions and a student population of 21,939. Public tuition averages $7,316/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 San Bernardino is approximately $52,000.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
22
Public Tuition
$7,316/yr
Private Tuition
$48,781/yr
Room & Board
$13,152/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,226/yr
Unemployment
6.1%
Graduation Rate
63%
Fine Arts Salary in San Bernardino (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for San Bernardino's cost of living index of 104 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.San Bernardino adjustment factor: 1.04x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for San Bernardino
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local San Bernardino tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,316 | Private avg: $48,781
San Bernardino avg aid: $15,226/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$81,872
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,600
vs HS diploma in San Bernardino
ROI Payback Period
5.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in San Bernardino
$22,128
Lifetime earnings premium ($104,000) minus total education cost ($81,872)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in San Bernardino
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in San Bernardino for Fine Arts
California State University, San Bernardino
public
$7,316/yr
$29,264 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
San Bernardino Valley College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in San Bernardino
San Bernardino offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key San Bernardino 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
Sacramento, CA
$56K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$58K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$66K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in San Bernardino
UX Design
$52K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$60K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$52K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$52K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$50K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$52K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$52K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$52K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in San Bernardino — 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 San Bernardino.