Political Science Degree in Carmel, IN — Salary & ROI 2026
Political Science degree analysis for Carmel, IN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$50K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$76K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.1 yrs
in Carmel
Cost of Living
105.2
index (100 = avg)
Political Science in Carmel, IN Overview
While Carmel has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Political Science students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $14,124/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 Carmel is approximately $50,496.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,200/yr
Private Tuition
$34,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,124/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,619/yr
Unemployment
2.9%
Graduation Rate
46%
Political Science Salary in Carmel (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Carmel's cost of living index of 105.2 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Political Science salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Carmel adjustment factor: 1.05x based on the local cost of living index.
Political Science ROI Calculator for Carmel
Estimate your return on investment for a Political Science degree using local Carmel tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,200 | Private avg: $34,000
Carmel avg aid: $13,619/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$97,296
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,676
vs HS diploma in Carmel
ROI Payback Period
7.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Carmel
$323,504
Lifetime earnings premium ($420,800) minus total education cost ($97,296)
Student Loan Payoff for Political Science in Carmel
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Carmel for Political Science
Carmel State University
public
$10,293/yr
$41,172 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Carmel Community College
$5,781/yr
Top Employers for Political Science in Carmel
Carmel offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Political Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Carmel Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Political Science Job Titles
Political Science in Nearby Indiana Cities
Indianapolis, IN
$45K starting · COL 94
25 colleges
Fort Wayne, IN
$49K starting · COL 103
24 colleges
Evansville, IN
$41K starting · COL 86
10 colleges
South Bend, IN
$43K starting · COL 89
9 colleges
Fishers, IN
$48K starting · COL 100.5
4 colleges
Bloomington, IN
$40K starting · COL 83
5 colleges
Hammond, IN
$45K starting · COL 93.1
4 colleges
Lafayette, IN
$41K starting · COL 84.8
3 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Carmel
International Relations
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$53K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$53K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$53K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$46K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$46K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Political Science Degree in Carmel — 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 Carmel.