Political Science Degree in Norman, OK — Salary & ROI 2026
Political Science degree analysis for Norman, OK. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$41K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$62K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.6 yrs
in Norman
Cost of Living
86
index (100 = avg)
Political Science in Norman, OK Overview
Norman, Oklahoma (pop. 128,026) has 10 colleges offering Political Science programs. The local cost of living index of 86 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $763/month. Political Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Policy Analysis and Research. The adjusted starting salary in Norman is approximately $41,280.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$6,023/yr
Private Tuition
$37,405/yr
Room & Board
$9,577/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,871/yr
Unemployment
5.7%
Graduation Rate
65%
Political Science Salary in Norman (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Norman's cost of living index of 86 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Political Science salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Norman adjustment factor: 0.86x based on the local cost of living index.
Political Science ROI Calculator for Norman
Estimate your return on investment for a Political Science degree using local Norman tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,023 | Private avg: $37,405
Norman avg aid: $10,871/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$62,400
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$11,180
vs HS diploma in Norman
ROI Payback Period
5.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Norman
$281,600
Lifetime earnings premium ($344,000) minus total education cost ($62,400)
Student Loan Payoff for Political Science in Norman
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Norman for Political Science
University of Oklahoma
public
$6,023/yr
$24,092 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Moore Norman Technology Center
$3,870/yr
Top Employers for Political Science in Norman
Norman offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Political Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Norman Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Political Science Job Titles
Political Science in Nearby Oklahoma Cities
Oklahoma City, OK
$47K starting · COL 97
37 colleges
Tulsa, OK
$40K starting · COL 84
15 colleges
Broken Arrow, OK
$44K starting · COL 91.8
5 colleges
Edmond, OK
$46K starting · COL 95.2
4 colleges
Lawton, OK
$40K starting · COL 82.5
4 colleges
Moore, OK
$43K starting · COL 89.3
3 colleges
Midwest City, OK
$44K starting · COL 91.1
3 colleges
Stillwater, OK
$42K starting · COL 87.3
3 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Norman
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
$38K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$43K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$38K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Political Science Degree in Norman — 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 Norman.