Political Science Degree in Athens, GA — Salary & ROI 2026
Political Science degree analysis for Athens, GA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$49K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$74K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.7 yrs
in Athens
Cost of Living
103
index (100 = avg)
Political Science in Athens, GA Overview
Athens, Georgia (pop. 127,064) has 11 colleges offering Political Science programs. The local cost of living index of 103 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $743/month. Political Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Policy Analysis and Research. The adjusted starting salary in Athens is approximately $49,440.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$12,080/yr
Private Tuition
$42,791/yr
Room & Board
$10,251/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,146/yr
Unemployment
5.4%
Graduation Rate
50%
Political Science Salary in Athens (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Athens's cost of living index of 103 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Political Science salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Athens adjustment factor: 1.03x based on the local cost of living index.
Political Science ROI Calculator for Athens
Estimate your return on investment for a Political Science degree using local Athens tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,080 | Private avg: $42,791
Athens avg aid: $13,146/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$89,324
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,390
vs HS diploma in Athens
ROI Payback Period
6.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Athens
$322,676
Lifetime earnings premium ($412,000) minus total education cost ($89,324)
Student Loan Payoff for Political Science in Athens
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Athens for Political Science
University of Georgia
public
$12,080/yr
$48,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Athens Technical College
$3,152/yr
Top Employers for Political Science in Athens
Athens offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Political Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Athens Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Political Science Job Titles
Political Science in Nearby Georgia Cities
Atlanta, GA
$48K starting · COL 101
23 colleges
Columbus, GA
$41K starting · COL 84.5
8 colleges
Augusta, GA
$40K starting · COL 83
11 colleges
Macon, GA
$48K starting · COL 101
13 colleges
Savannah, GA
$46K starting · COL 95
12 colleges
Sandy Springs, GA
$54K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Roswell, GA
$52K starting · COL 108.2
4 colleges
Johns Creek, GA
$54K starting · COL 112.8
4 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Athens
International Relations
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$52K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$52K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$52K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$45K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$45K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Political Science Degree in Athens — 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 Political Science ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Athens.