Political Science Degree in Lake Charles, LA — Salary & ROI 2026
Political Science degree analysis for Lake Charles, LA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$38K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$58K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
9 yrs
in Lake Charles
Cost of Living
80
index (100 = avg)
Political Science in Lake Charles, LA Overview
Lake Charles, Louisiana (pop. 84,872) has 6 colleges offering Political Science programs. The local cost of living index of 80 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $925/month. Political Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Policy Analysis and Research. The adjusted starting salary in Lake Charles is approximately $38,400.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$9,274/yr
Private Tuition
$41,023/yr
Room & Board
$14,078/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,078/yr
Unemployment
3.3%
Graduation Rate
56%
Political Science Salary in Lake Charles (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lake Charles's cost of living index of 80 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Political Science salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Lake Charles adjustment factor: 0.80x based on the local cost of living index.
Political Science ROI Calculator for Lake Charles
Estimate your return on investment for a Political Science degree using local Lake Charles tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,274 | Private avg: $41,023
Lake Charles avg aid: $16,078/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$93,408
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$10,400
vs HS diploma in Lake Charles
ROI Payback Period
9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lake Charles
$226,592
Lifetime earnings premium ($320,000) minus total education cost ($93,408)
Student Loan Payoff for Political Science in Lake Charles
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lake Charles for Political Science
McNeese State University
public
$9,274/yr
$37,096 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Sowela Technical Community College
$4,236/yr
Top Employers for Political Science in Lake Charles
Lake Charles offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Political Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lake Charles Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Political Science Job Titles
Political Science in Nearby Louisiana Cities
New Orleans, LA
$43K starting · COL 90
23 colleges
Baton Rouge, LA
$39K starting · COL 82
16 colleges
Shreveport, LA
$48K starting · COL 99
14 colleges
Metairie, LA
$43K starting · COL 89.4
6 colleges
Lafayette, LA
$50K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Bossier City, LA
$42K starting · COL 87.8
3 colleges
Kenner, LA
$44K starting · COL 92.5
3 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Lake Charles
International Relations
$40K starting · 5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$40K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$40K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$40K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$40K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$35K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$40K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$35K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Political Science Degree in Lake Charles — 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 Lake Charles.