Fine Arts Degree in Tucson, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Tucson, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$58K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$60K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.9 yrs
in Tucson
Cost of Living
116
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Tucson, AZ Overview
Tucson is one of Arizona's top college towns, with 24 institutions and a student population of 21,782. Public tuition averages $7,664/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 Tucson is approximately $58,000.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
24
Public Tuition
$7,664/yr
Private Tuition
$31,536/yr
Room & Board
$18,163/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,106/yr
Unemployment
3.7%
Graduation Rate
67%
Fine Arts Salary in Tucson (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Tucson's cost of living index of 116 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Tucson adjustment factor: 1.16x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Tucson
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Tucson tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,664 | Private avg: $31,536
Tucson avg aid: $14,106/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,308
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,400
vs HS diploma in Tucson
ROI Payback Period
5.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Tucson
$12,692
Lifetime earnings premium ($116,000) minus total education cost ($103,308)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Tucson
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Tucson for Fine Arts
University of Arizona
public
$12,748/yr
$50,992 total
Pima Community College
public
$2,580/yr
$10,320 total
Prescott College
private
$31,536/yr
$126,144 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Pima Community College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Tucson
Tucson offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Tucson 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
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
Tempe, AZ
$57K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Tucson
UX Design
$58K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$67K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$58K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$58K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$56K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$58K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$58K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$58K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Tucson — 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 Tucson.