Political Science Degree in Denver, CO — Salary & ROI 2026
Political Science degree analysis for Denver, CO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$61K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$92K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.3 yrs
in Denver
Cost of Living
128
index (100 = avg)
Political Science in Denver, CO Overview
Denver is one of Colorado's top college towns, with 31 institutions and a student population of 74,098. Public tuition averages $11,380/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Political Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Policy Analysis and Research. The adjusted starting salary in Denver is approximately $61,440.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
31
Public Tuition
$11,380/yr
Private Tuition
$49,039/yr
Room & Board
$14,960/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,823/yr
Unemployment
5.8%
Graduation Rate
65%
Political Science Salary in Denver (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Denver's cost of living index of 128 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Political Science salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Denver adjustment factor: 1.28x based on the local cost of living index.
Political Science ROI Calculator for Denver
Estimate your return on investment for a Political Science degree using local Denver tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,380 | Private avg: $49,039
Denver avg aid: $8,823/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$105,360
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,640
vs HS diploma in Denver
ROI Payback Period
6.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Denver
$406,640
Lifetime earnings premium ($512,000) minus total education cost ($105,360)
Student Loan Payoff for Political Science in Denver
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Denver for Political Science
University of Colorado Denver
public
$11,380/yr
$45,520 total
University of Denver
private
$56,268/yr
$225,072 total
Regis University
private
$41,810/yr
$167,240 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Community College of Denver
$4,419/yr
Top Employers for Political Science in Denver
Denver offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Political Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Denver Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Political Science Job Titles
Political Science in Nearby Colorado Cities
Colorado Springs, CO
$59K starting · COL 122
22 colleges
Aurora, CO
$53K starting · COL 111
28 colleges
Fort Collins, CO
$60K starting · COL 126
5 colleges
Lakewood, CO
$51K starting · COL 105.8
6 colleges
Thornton, CO
$49K starting · COL 102.5
6 colleges
Arvada, CO
$51K starting · COL 105.5
5 colleges
Westminster, CO
$50K starting · COL 103.8
5 colleges
Pueblo, CO
$59K starting · COL 122
13 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Denver
International Relations
$64K starting · 5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$64K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$64K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$64K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$64K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$56K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$64K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$56K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Political Science Degree in Denver — 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 Denver.