Political Science Degree in Bloomington, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Political Science degree analysis for Bloomington, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$48K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$72K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.8 yrs
in Bloomington
Cost of Living
100.2
index (100 = avg)
Political Science in Bloomington, MN Overview
While Bloomington has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Political Science students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,533/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Political Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Policy Analysis and Research. The adjusted starting salary in Bloomington is approximately $48,096.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$14,200/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,533/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,264/yr
Unemployment
2.3%
Graduation Rate
75%
Political Science Salary in Bloomington (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Bloomington's cost of living index of 100.2 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Political Science salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Bloomington adjustment factor: 1.00x based on the local cost of living index.
Political Science ROI Calculator for Bloomington
Estimate your return on investment for a Political Science degree using local Bloomington tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,200 | Private avg: $38,000
Bloomington avg aid: $11,264/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$114,932
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,026
vs HS diploma in Bloomington
ROI Payback Period
8.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Bloomington
$285,868
Lifetime earnings premium ($400,800) minus total education cost ($114,932)
Student Loan Payoff for Political Science in Bloomington
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Bloomington for Political Science
Bloomington State University
public
$15,525/yr
$62,100 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Bloomington Community College
$5,519/yr
Top Employers for Political Science in Bloomington
Bloomington offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Political Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Bloomington Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Political Science Job Titles
Political Science in Nearby Minnesota Cities
Minneapolis, MN
$47K starting · COL 97
15 colleges
Saint Paul, MN
$49K starting · COL 101.5
11 colleges
St. Paul, MN
$52K starting · COL 108
20 colleges
Rochester, MN
$50K starting · COL 105
8 colleges
Duluth, MN
$48K starting · COL 100
5 colleges
Brooklyn Park, MN
$47K starting · COL 98.8
4 colleges
Plymouth, MN
$52K starting · COL 107.3
4 colleges
Maple Grove, MN
$52K starting · COL 107.4
4 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Bloomington
International Relations
$50K starting · 5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$50K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$50K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$50K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$50K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$44K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$50K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$44K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Political Science Degree in Bloomington — 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 Bloomington.