Fine Arts Degree in Spokane, WA — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Spokane, WA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$61K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$63K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.8 yrs
in Spokane
Cost of Living
121
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Spokane, WA Overview
Spokane, Washington (pop. 228,989) has 20 colleges offering Fine Arts programs. The local cost of living index of 121 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,678/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 Spokane is approximately $60,500.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
20
Public Tuition
$13,119/yr
Private Tuition
$49,320/yr
Room & Board
$13,236/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,489/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
61%
Fine Arts Salary in Spokane (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Spokane's cost of living index of 121 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Spokane adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Spokane
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Spokane tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,119 | Private avg: $49,320
Spokane avg aid: $8,489/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$105,420
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,150
vs HS diploma in Spokane
ROI Payback Period
5.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Spokane
$15,580
Lifetime earnings premium ($121,000) minus total education cost ($105,420)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Spokane
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Spokane for Fine Arts
Gonzaga University
private
$50,380/yr
$201,520 total
Whitworth University
private
$48,260/yr
$193,040 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Spokane Falls Community College
$4,479/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Spokane
Spokane offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Spokane Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby Washington Cities
Seattle, WA
$60K starting · COL 120
16 colleges
Tacoma, WA
$57K starting · COL 113
25 colleges
Vancouver, WA
$54K starting · COL 108.5
7 colleges
Bellevue, WA
$89K starting · COL 178.5
6 colleges
Kent, WA
$58K starting · COL 115.8
6 colleges
Everett, WA
$59K starting · COL 118.2
5 colleges
Renton, WA
$61K starting · COL 122.5
5 colleges
Spokane Valley, WA
$62K starting · COL 123.1
4 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Spokane
UX Design
$61K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$70K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$61K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$61K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$58K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$61K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$61K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$61K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Spokane — 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 Spokane.