Political Science Degree in Des Moines, IA — Salary & ROI 2026
Political Science degree analysis for Des Moines, IA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$44K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$66K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.9 yrs
in Des Moines
Cost of Living
92
index (100 = avg)
Political Science in Des Moines, IA Overview
Des Moines, Iowa (pop. 214,133) has 10 colleges offering Political Science programs. The local cost of living index of 92 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $975/month. Political Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Policy Analysis and Research. The adjusted starting salary in Des Moines is approximately $44,160.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$8,977/yr
Private Tuition
$38,388/yr
Room & Board
$8,658/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,739/yr
Unemployment
6.9%
Graduation Rate
56%
Political Science Salary in Des Moines (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Des Moines's cost of living index of 92 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Political Science salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Des Moines adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.
Political Science ROI Calculator for Des Moines
Estimate your return on investment for a Political Science degree using local Des Moines tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,977 | Private avg: $38,388
Des Moines avg aid: $9,739/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$70,540
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$11,960
vs HS diploma in Des Moines
ROI Payback Period
5.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Des Moines
$297,460
Lifetime earnings premium ($368,000) minus total education cost ($70,540)
Student Loan Payoff for Political Science in Des Moines
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Des Moines for Political Science
Drake University
private
$45,520/yr
$182,080 total
Grand View University
private
$31,256/yr
$125,024 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Des Moines Area Community College
$5,064/yr
Top Employers for Political Science in Des Moines
Des Moines offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Political Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Des Moines Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Political Science Job Titles
Political Science in Nearby Iowa Cities
Cedar Rapids, IA
$48K starting · COL 100
4 colleges
Davenport, IA
$38K starting · COL 79
6 colleges
Sioux City, IA
$40K starting · COL 84
2 colleges
Iowa City, IA
$46K starting · COL 95.2
3 colleges
West Des Moines, IA
$47K starting · COL 97.5
3 colleges
Ankeny, IA
$46K starting · COL 95.8
3 colleges
Waterloo, IA
$40K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Ames, IA
$42K starting · COL 87
8 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Des Moines
International Relations
$46K starting · 5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$46K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$46K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$46K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$46K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$40K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$46K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$40K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Political Science Degree in Des Moines — 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 Des Moines.