Fine Arts Degree in St. Petersburg, FL — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for St. Petersburg, FL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$49K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$50K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.5 yrs
in St. Petersburg
Cost of Living
97
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, FL Overview
St. Petersburg is one of Florida's top college towns, with 22 institutions and a student population of 17,306. Public tuition averages $10,405/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 St. Petersburg is approximately $48,500.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
22
Public Tuition
$10,405/yr
Private Tuition
$48,010/yr
Room & Board
$9,763/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,802/yr
Unemployment
4.4%
Graduation Rate
48%
Fine Arts Salary in St. Petersburg (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for St. Petersburg's cost of living index of 97 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.St. Petersburg adjustment factor: 0.97x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for St. Petersburg
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local St. Petersburg tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,405 | Private avg: $48,010
St. Petersburg avg aid: $8,802/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$80,672
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,550
vs HS diploma in St. Petersburg
ROI Payback Period
5.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in St. Petersburg
$16,328
Lifetime earnings premium ($97,000) minus total education cost ($80,672)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in St. Petersburg
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in St. Petersburg for Fine Arts
Eckerd College
private
$48,010/yr
$192,040 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
St. Petersburg College
$3,120/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key St. Petersburg Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby Florida Cities
Jacksonville, FL
$59K starting · COL 117
35 colleges
Miami, FL
$49K starting · COL 98
12 colleges
Tampa, FL
$51K starting · COL 101
26 colleges
Orlando, FL
$48K starting · COL 96
16 colleges
Hialeah, FL
$39K starting · COL 78
22 colleges
Port St. Lucie, FL
$49K starting · COL 98.5
8 colleges
Tallahassee, FL
$45K starting · COL 89
11 colleges
Cape Coral, FL
$49K starting · COL 97.8
7 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in St. Petersburg
UX Design
$49K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$56K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$49K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$49K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$47K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$49K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$49K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$49K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in St. Petersburg — 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 St. Petersburg.