Political Science Degree in Orlando, FL — Salary & ROI 2026
Political Science degree analysis for Orlando, FL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$46K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$69K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.2 yrs
in Orlando
Cost of Living
96
index (100 = avg)
Political Science in Orlando, FL Overview
Orlando, Florida (pop. 307,573) has 16 colleges offering Political Science programs. The local cost of living index of 96 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $804/month. Political Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Policy Analysis and Research. The adjusted starting salary in Orlando is approximately $46,080.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
16
Public Tuition
$6,368/yr
Private Tuition
$44,990/yr
Room & Board
$9,733/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,728/yr
Unemployment
6.5%
Graduation Rate
75%
Political Science Salary in Orlando (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Orlando's cost of living index of 96 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Political Science salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Orlando adjustment factor: 0.96x based on the local cost of living index.
Political Science ROI Calculator for Orlando
Estimate your return on investment for a Political Science degree using local Orlando tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,368 | Private avg: $44,990
Orlando avg aid: $11,728/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$64,404
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,480
vs HS diploma in Orlando
ROI Payback Period
5.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Orlando
$319,596
Lifetime earnings premium ($384,000) minus total education cost ($64,404)
Student Loan Payoff for Political Science in Orlando
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Orlando for Political Science
University of Central Florida
public
$6,368/yr
$25,472 total
Rollins College
private
$44,990/yr
$179,960 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Valencia College
$3,110/yr
Top Employers for Political Science in Orlando
Orlando offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Political Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Orlando Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Political Science Job Titles
Political Science in Nearby Florida Cities
Jacksonville, FL
$56K starting · COL 117
35 colleges
Miami, FL
$47K starting · COL 98
12 colleges
Tampa, FL
$48K starting · COL 101
26 colleges
St. Petersburg, FL
$47K starting · COL 97
22 colleges
Hialeah, FL
$37K starting · COL 78
22 colleges
Port St. Lucie, FL
$47K starting · COL 98.5
8 colleges
Tallahassee, FL
$43K starting · COL 89
11 colleges
Cape Coral, FL
$47K starting · COL 97.8
7 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Orlando
International Relations
$48K starting · 5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$48K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$48K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$48K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$48K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$42K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$48K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$42K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Political Science Degree in Orlando — 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 Orlando.