Political Science Degree in Hillsboro, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Political Science degree analysis for Hillsboro, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$55K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$83K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7 yrs
in Hillsboro
Cost of Living
115.5
index (100 = avg)
Political Science in Hillsboro, OR Overview
While Hillsboro has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Political Science students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $13,938/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 Hillsboro is approximately $55,440.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$12,400/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,938/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,549/yr
Unemployment
4.4%
Graduation Rate
47%
Political Science Salary in Hillsboro (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Hillsboro's cost of living index of 115.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Political Science salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Hillsboro adjustment factor: 1.16x based on the local cost of living index.
Political Science ROI Calculator for Hillsboro
Estimate your return on investment for a Political Science degree using local Hillsboro tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,400 | Private avg: $38,000
Hillsboro avg aid: $9,549/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$105,352
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,015
vs HS diploma in Hillsboro
ROI Payback Period
7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Hillsboro
$356,648
Lifetime earnings premium ($462,000) minus total education cost ($105,352)
Student Loan Payoff for Political Science in Hillsboro
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Hillsboro for Political Science
Hillsboro State University
public
$12,045/yr
$48,180 total
University of Hillsboro
public
$13,855/yr
$55,420 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Hillsboro Community College
$5,881/yr
Top Employers for Political Science in Hillsboro
Hillsboro offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Political Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Hillsboro Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Political Science Job Titles
Political Science in Nearby Oregon Cities
Portland, OR
$54K starting · COL 112
24 colleges
Eugene, OR
$62K starting · COL 130
14 colleges
Salem, OR
$58K starting · COL 120
14 colleges
Gresham, OR
$53K starting · COL 110.2
5 colleges
Bend, OR
$51K starting · COL 107
2 colleges
Beaverton, OR
$51K starting · COL 105.9
4 colleges
Medford, OR
$53K starting · COL 111
4 colleges
Springfield, OR
$58K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Hillsboro
International Relations
$58K starting · 5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$58K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$58K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$58K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$58K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$51K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$58K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$51K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Political Science Degree in Hillsboro — 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 Hillsboro.