Political Science Degree in Cape Coral, FL — Salary & ROI 2026
Political Science degree analysis for Cape Coral, FL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$47K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$70K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.4 yrs
in Cape Coral
Cost of Living
97.8
index (100 = avg)
Political Science in Cape Coral, FL Overview
Cape Coral, Florida (pop. 194,016) has 7 colleges offering Political Science programs. The local cost of living index of 97.8 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,035/month. Political Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Policy Analysis and Research. The adjusted starting salary in Cape Coral is approximately $46,944.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$6,400/yr
Private Tuition
$30,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,023/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,184/yr
Unemployment
2.7%
Graduation Rate
52%
Political Science Salary in Cape Coral (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Cape Coral's cost of living index of 97.8 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Political Science salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Cape Coral adjustment factor: 0.98x based on the local cost of living index.
Political Science ROI Calculator for Cape Coral
Estimate your return on investment for a Political Science degree using local Cape Coral tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,400 | Private avg: $30,000
Cape Coral avg aid: $13,184/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$81,692
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,714
vs HS diploma in Cape Coral
ROI Payback Period
6.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Cape Coral
$309,508
Lifetime earnings premium ($391,200) minus total education cost ($81,692)
Student Loan Payoff for Political Science in Cape Coral
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Cape Coral for Political Science
Cape Coral State University
public
$6,313/yr
$25,252 total
University of Cape Coral
public
$6,340/yr
$25,360 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Cape Coral Community College
$5,542/yr
Top Employers for Political Science in Cape Coral
Cape Coral offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Political Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Cape Coral Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Political Science Job Titles
Political Science in Nearby Florida Cities
Jacksonville, FL
$56K starting · COL 117
35 colleges
Miami, FL
$47K starting · COL 98
12 colleges
Tampa, FL
$48K starting · COL 101
26 colleges
Orlando, FL
$46K starting · COL 96
16 colleges
St. Petersburg, FL
$47K starting · COL 97
22 colleges
Hialeah, FL
$37K starting · COL 78
22 colleges
Port St. Lucie, FL
$47K starting · COL 98.5
8 colleges
Tallahassee, FL
$43K starting · COL 89
11 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Cape Coral
International Relations
$49K starting · 5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$49K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$49K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$49K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$49K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$43K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$49K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$43K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Political Science Degree in Cape Coral — 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 Cape Coral.