Political Science Degree in Kenosha, WI — Salary & ROI 2026
Political Science degree analysis for Kenosha, WI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$51K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$76K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.7 yrs
in Kenosha
Cost of Living
106
index (100 = avg)
Political Science in Kenosha, WI Overview
Kenosha, Wisconsin (pop. 99,986) has 8 colleges offering Political Science programs. The local cost of living index of 106 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $668/month. Political Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Policy Analysis and Research. The adjusted starting salary in Kenosha is approximately $50,880.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
8
Public Tuition
$7,620/yr
Private Tuition
$37,840/yr
Room & Board
$12,059/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,562/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
49%
Political Science Salary in Kenosha (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Kenosha's cost of living index of 106 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Political Science salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Kenosha adjustment factor: 1.06x based on the local cost of living index.
Political Science ROI Calculator for Kenosha
Estimate your return on investment for a Political Science degree using local Kenosha tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,620 | Private avg: $37,840
Kenosha avg aid: $15,562/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$78,716
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,780
vs HS diploma in Kenosha
ROI Payback Period
5.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Kenosha
$345,284
Lifetime earnings premium ($424,000) minus total education cost ($78,716)
Student Loan Payoff for Political Science in Kenosha
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Kenosha for Political Science
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
public
$7,620/yr
$30,480 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Gateway Technical College
$4,620/yr
Top Employers for Political Science in Kenosha
Kenosha offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Political Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Kenosha Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Political Science Job Titles
Political Science in Nearby Wisconsin Cities
Milwaukee, WI
$45K starting · COL 94
33 colleges
Madison, WI
$43K starting · COL 89
11 colleges
Green Bay, WI
$41K starting · COL 86
6 colleges
Racine, WI
$41K starting · COL 85.8
4 colleges
Appleton, WI
$38K starting · COL 79
6 colleges
Waukesha, WI
$43K starting · COL 90.5
3 colleges
Eau Claire, WI
$41K starting · COL 86
2 colleges
Oshkosh, WI
$51K starting · COL 107
3 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Kenosha
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
$47K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$47K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Political Science Degree in Kenosha — 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 Kenosha.