Political Science Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of government systems, political behavior, and public policy.
Starting Salary
$48K
median
Mid-Career
$72K
salary
ROI Payback
5.5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
4%
rate
Political Science Overview
Study of government systems, political behavior, and public policy.
Category
Social Sciences
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
63%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
30%
Lifetime Premium
$400K
Female Graduates
48%
Political Science Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$17,100
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$17,100
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$382,900
Lifetime earnings premium ($400,000) minus net degree cost ($17,100)
Political Science Salary Progression
Common Political Science Careers
Policy Analyst
Legislative Aide
Political Consultant
Lobbyist
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Political Science
#1
Harvard
#2
Princeton
#3
Stanford
#4
Yale
#5
Georgetown
Related Majors
Political Science Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Political Science Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for political science programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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