Political Science Degree in Baton Rouge, LA — Salary & ROI 2026
Political Science degree analysis for Baton Rouge, LA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$39K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$59K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.8 yrs
in Baton Rouge
Cost of Living
82
index (100 = avg)
Political Science in Baton Rouge, LA Overview
Baton Rouge, Louisiana (pop. 227,470) has 16 colleges offering Political Science programs. The local cost of living index of 82 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $871/month. Political Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Policy Analysis and Research. The adjusted starting salary in Baton Rouge is approximately $39,360.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
16
Public Tuition
$9,889/yr
Private Tuition
$38,908/yr
Room & Board
$13,546/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,166/yr
Unemployment
5.6%
Graduation Rate
68%
Political Science Salary in Baton Rouge (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Baton Rouge's cost of living index of 82 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Political Science salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Baton Rouge adjustment factor: 0.82x based on the local cost of living index.
Political Science ROI Calculator for Baton Rouge
Estimate your return on investment for a Political Science degree using local Baton Rouge tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,889 | Private avg: $38,908
Baton Rouge avg aid: $9,166/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$93,740
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$10,660
vs HS diploma in Baton Rouge
ROI Payback Period
8.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Baton Rouge
$234,260
Lifetime earnings premium ($328,000) minus total education cost ($93,740)
Student Loan Payoff for Political Science in Baton Rouge
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Baton Rouge for Political Science
Louisiana State University
public
$11,962/yr
$47,848 total
Southern University
public
$7,816/yr
$31,264 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Baton Rouge Community College
$4,236/yr
Top Employers for Political Science in Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Political Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Baton Rouge Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Political Science Job Titles
Political Science in Nearby Louisiana Cities
New Orleans, LA
$43K starting · COL 90
23 colleges
Shreveport, LA
$48K starting · COL 99
14 colleges
Metairie, LA
$43K starting · COL 89.4
6 colleges
Lafayette, LA
$50K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Lake Charles, LA
$38K starting · COL 80
6 colleges
Bossier City, LA
$42K starting · COL 87.8
3 colleges
Kenner, LA
$44K starting · COL 92.5
3 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Baton Rouge
International Relations
$41K starting · 5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$41K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$41K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$41K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$41K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$36K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$41K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$36K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Political Science Degree in Baton Rouge — 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 Baton Rouge.