Fine Arts Degree in Washington, DC — Salary & ROI 2026
Fine Arts degree analysis for Washington, DC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$73K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$76K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.3 yrs
in Washington
Cost of Living
146
index (100 = avg)
Fine Arts in Washington, DC Overview
Washington is one of District of Columbia's top college towns, with 42 institutions and a student population of 55,233. Public tuition averages $12,276/year here — near the national average for public universities. 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 Washington is approximately $73,000.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
42
Public Tuition
$12,276/yr
Private Tuition
$51,262/yr
Room & Board
$22,009/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,537/yr
Unemployment
5.8%
Graduation Rate
60%
Fine Arts Salary in Washington (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Washington's cost of living index of 146 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Fine Arts salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Washington adjustment factor: 1.46x based on the local cost of living index.
Fine Arts ROI Calculator for Washington
Estimate your return on investment for a Fine Arts degree using local Washington tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,276 | Private avg: $51,262
Washington avg aid: $8,537/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$137,140
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$21,900
vs HS diploma in Washington
ROI Payback Period
6.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Washington
$8,860
Lifetime earnings premium ($146,000) minus total education cost ($137,140)
Student Loan Payoff for Fine Arts in Washington
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Washington for Fine Arts
Georgetown University
private
$62,052/yr
$248,208 total
George Washington University
private
$60,770/yr
$243,080 total
Howard University
private
$30,964/yr
$123,856 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
University of the District of Columbia Community College
$3,120/yr
Top Employers for Fine Arts in Washington
Washington offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Fine Arts graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Washington Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Fine Arts Job Titles
Other Arts & Design Majors in Washington
UX Design
$73K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$85K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$73K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$73K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$70K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$73K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$73K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$73K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts Degree in Washington — 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 Washington.