Political Science Degree in Louisville, KY — Salary & ROI 2026
Political Science degree analysis for Louisville, KY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$43K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$65K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.3 yrs
in Louisville
Cost of Living
90
index (100 = avg)
Political Science in Louisville, KY Overview
Louisville, Kentucky (pop. 633,045) has 17 colleges offering Political Science programs. The local cost of living index of 90 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,349/month. Political Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Policy Analysis and Research. The adjusted starting salary in Louisville is approximately $43,200.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
17
Public Tuition
$12,324/yr
Private Tuition
$37,190/yr
Room & Board
$12,044/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,150/yr
Unemployment
4.1%
Graduation Rate
58%
Political Science Salary in Louisville (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Louisville's cost of living index of 90 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Political Science salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Louisville adjustment factor: 0.90x based on the local cost of living index.
Political Science ROI Calculator for Louisville
Estimate your return on investment for a Political Science degree using local Louisville tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,324 | Private avg: $37,190
Louisville avg aid: $16,150/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$97,472
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$11,700
vs HS diploma in Louisville
ROI Payback Period
8.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Louisville
$262,528
Lifetime earnings premium ($360,000) minus total education cost ($97,472)
Student Loan Payoff for Political Science in Louisville
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Louisville for Political Science
University of Louisville
public
$12,324/yr
$49,296 total
Bellarmine University
private
$45,790/yr
$183,160 total
Spalding University
private
$28,590/yr
$114,360 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Jefferson Community and Technical College
$4,680/yr
Top Employers for Political Science in Louisville
Louisville offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Political Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Louisville Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Political Science Job Titles
Political Science in Nearby Kentucky Cities
Other Social Sciences Majors in Louisville
International Relations
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$45K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$45K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$45K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$40K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$40K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Political Science Degree in Louisville — 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 Louisville.