Fine Arts Degree in Tempe, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Tempe, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$57K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$59K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.6 yrs
in Tempe
Cost of Living
113
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Tempe, AZ Overview
While Tempe has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Fine Arts students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $19,552/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. 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 Tempe is approximately $56,500.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$12,467/yr
Private Tuition
$40,205/yr
Room & Board
$19,552/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,200/yr
Unemployment
6.9%
Graduation Rate
73%
Fine Arts Salary in Tempe (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Tempe's cost of living index of 113 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Tempe adjustment factor: 1.13x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Tempe
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Tempe tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,467 | Private avg: $40,205
Tempe avg aid: $15,200/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$128,076
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,950
vs HS diploma in Tempe
ROI Payback Period
7.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Tempe
$-15,076
Lifetime earnings premium ($113,000) minus total education cost ($128,076)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Tempe
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Tempe for Fine Arts
Arizona State University
public
$12,467/yr
$49,868 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Rio Salado College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Tempe
Tempe offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Tempe Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Fine Arts in Nearby Arizona Cities
Phoenix, AZ
$76K starting · COL 152
72 colleges
Tucson, AZ
$58K starting · COL 116
24 colleges
Mesa, AZ
$55K starting · COL 110
31 colleges
Chandler, AZ
$62K starting · COL 124
22 colleges
Gilbert, AZ
$60K starting · COL 119
26 colleges
Glendale, AZ
$53K starting · COL 105
16 colleges
Scottsdale, AZ
$63K starting · COL 126
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$52K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Tempe
UX Design
$57K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$66K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$57K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$57K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$54K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$57K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$57K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$57K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Tempe — 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 Tempe.