Political Science Degree in Clarksville, TN — Salary & ROI 2026
Political Science degree analysis for Clarksville, TN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$43K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$65K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.7 yrs
in Clarksville
Cost of Living
90
index (100 = avg)
Political Science in Clarksville, TN Overview
Clarksville, Tennessee (pop. 166,722) has 9 colleges offering Political Science programs. The local cost of living index of 90 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $838/month. Political Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Policy Analysis and Research. The adjusted starting salary in Clarksville is approximately $43,200.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$9,312/yr
Private Tuition
$28,321/yr
Room & Board
$13,192/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,661/yr
Unemployment
6.3%
Graduation Rate
66%
Political Science Salary in Clarksville (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Clarksville's cost of living index of 90 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Political Science salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Clarksville adjustment factor: 0.90x based on the local cost of living index.
Political Science ROI Calculator for Clarksville
Estimate your return on investment for a Political Science degree using local Clarksville tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,312 | Private avg: $28,321
Clarksville avg aid: $12,661/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$90,016
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$11,700
vs HS diploma in Clarksville
ROI Payback Period
7.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Clarksville
$269,984
Lifetime earnings premium ($360,000) minus total education cost ($90,016)
Student Loan Payoff for Political Science in Clarksville
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Clarksville for Political Science
Austin Peay State University
public
$9,312/yr
$37,248 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Nashville State Community College Clarksville
$4,320/yr
Top Employers for Political Science in Clarksville
Clarksville offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Political Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Clarksville Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Political Science Job Titles
Political Science in Nearby Tennessee Cities
Nashville, TN
$44K starting · COL 92
35 colleges
Memphis, TN
$45K starting · COL 93
22 colleges
Knoxville, TN
$41K starting · COL 85
5 colleges
Chattanooga, TN
$38K starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Murfreesboro, TN
$44K starting · COL 91
10 colleges
Franklin, TN
$57K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Jackson, TN
$40K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Johnson City, TN
$50K starting · COL 105
6 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Clarksville
International Relations
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$45K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$45K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$45K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$40K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$40K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Political Science Degree in Clarksville — 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 Clarksville.