Fine Arts Degree in South Bend, IN — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for South Bend, IN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$45K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$46K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.3 yrs
in South Bend
Cost of Living
89
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in South Bend, IN Overview
South Bend, Indiana (pop. 103,453) has 9 colleges offering Fine Arts programs. The local cost of living index of 89 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,010/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 South Bend is approximately $44,500.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$9,463/yr
Private Tuition
$60,301/yr
Room & Board
$11,568/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,347/yr
Unemployment
5.2%
Graduation Rate
62%
Fine Arts Salary in South Bend (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for South Bend's cost of living index of 89 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.South Bend adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for South Bend
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local South Bend tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,463 | Private avg: $60,301
South Bend avg aid: $8,347/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$84,124
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,350
vs HS diploma in South Bend
ROI Payback Period
6.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in South Bend
$4,876
Lifetime earnings premium ($89,000) minus total education cost ($84,124)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in South Bend
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in South Bend for Fine Arts
University of Notre Dame
private
$60,301/yr
$241,204 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Ivy Tech Community College South Bend
$4,540/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in South Bend
South Bend offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key South Bend Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby Indiana Cities
Indianapolis, IN
$47K starting · COL 94
25 colleges
Fort Wayne, IN
$52K starting · COL 103
24 colleges
Evansville, IN
$43K starting · COL 86
10 colleges
Carmel, IN
$53K starting · COL 105.2
4 colleges
Fishers, IN
$50K starting · COL 100.5
4 colleges
Bloomington, IN
$42K starting · COL 83
5 colleges
Hammond, IN
$47K starting · COL 93.1
4 colleges
Lafayette, IN
$42K starting · COL 84.8
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in South Bend
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 South Bend — 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 South Bend.