Political Science Degree in Aurora, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Political Science degree analysis for Aurora, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$45K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$67K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
9.7 yrs
in Aurora
Cost of Living
92.8
index (100 = avg)
Political Science in Aurora, IL Overview
Aurora, Illinois (pop. 180,542) has 7 colleges offering Political Science programs. The local cost of living index of 92.8 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $780/month. Political Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Policy Analysis and Research. The adjusted starting salary in Aurora is approximately $44,544.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$15,400/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,856/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,682/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
65%
Political Science Salary in Aurora (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Aurora's cost of living index of 92.8 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Political Science salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Aurora adjustment factor: 0.93x based on the local cost of living index.
Political Science ROI Calculator for Aurora
Estimate your return on investment for a Political Science degree using local Aurora tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,400 | Private avg: $38,000
Aurora avg aid: $14,682/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$117,024
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,064
vs HS diploma in Aurora
ROI Payback Period
9.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Aurora
$254,176
Lifetime earnings premium ($371,200) minus total education cost ($117,024)
Student Loan Payoff for Political Science in Aurora
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Aurora for Political Science
Aurora State University
public
$14,742/yr
$58,968 total
University of Aurora
public
$15,345/yr
$61,380 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Aurora Community College
$5,489/yr
Top Employers for Political Science in Aurora
Aurora offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Political Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Aurora Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Political Science Job Titles
Political Science in Nearby Illinois Cities
Chicago, IL
$52K starting · COL 109
98 colleges
Joliet, IL
$52K starting · COL 108
12 colleges
Naperville, IL
$49K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$43K starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Elgin, IL
$38K starting · COL 79
13 colleges
Springfield, IL
$44K starting · COL 92
9 colleges
Peoria, IL
$50K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Waukegan, IL
$43K starting · COL 90.3
4 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Aurora
International Relations
$46K starting · 5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$46K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$46K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$46K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$46K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$41K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$46K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$41K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Political Science Degree in Aurora — 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 Aurora.