Political Science Degree in Lansing, MI — Salary & ROI 2026
Political Science degree analysis for Lansing, MI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$41K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$61K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.6 yrs
in Lansing
Cost of Living
85
index (100 = avg)
Political Science in Lansing, MI Overview
Lansing, Michigan (pop. 112,644) has 6 colleges offering Political Science programs. The local cost of living index of 85 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $733/month. Political Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Policy Analysis and Research. The adjusted starting salary in Lansing is approximately $40,800.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$14,460/yr
Private Tuition
$35,667/yr
Room & Board
$9,189/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,827/yr
Unemployment
6.1%
Graduation Rate
59%
Political Science Salary in Lansing (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lansing's cost of living index of 85 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Political Science salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Lansing adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.
Political Science ROI Calculator for Lansing
Estimate your return on investment for a Political Science degree using local Lansing tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,460 | Private avg: $35,667
Lansing avg aid: $12,827/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$94,596
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$11,050
vs HS diploma in Lansing
ROI Payback Period
8.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lansing
$245,404
Lifetime earnings premium ($340,000) minus total education cost ($94,596)
Student Loan Payoff for Political Science in Lansing
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lansing for Political Science
Michigan State University
public
$14,460/yr
$57,840 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lansing Community College
$4,296/yr
Top Employers for Political Science in Lansing
Lansing offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Political Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lansing Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Political Science Job Titles
Political Science in Nearby Michigan Cities
Detroit, MI
$42K starting · COL 87
43 colleges
Grand Rapids, MI
$42K starting · COL 88
10 colleges
Warren, MI
$42K starting · COL 88.5
6 colleges
Sterling Heights, MI
$45K starting · COL 92.8
5 colleges
Ann Arbor, MI
$41K starting · COL 85
14 colleges
Dearborn, MI
$43K starting · COL 90.5
5 colleges
Clinton Township, MI
$46K starting · COL 96.2
4 colleges
Canton Township, MI
$45K starting · COL 93.5
4 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Lansing
International Relations
$43K starting · 5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$43K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$43K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$43K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$43K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$37K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$43K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$37K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Political Science Degree in Lansing — 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 Lansing.