Political Science Degree in Overland Park, KS — Salary & ROI 2026
Political Science degree analysis for Overland Park, KS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$49K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$74K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.5 yrs
in Overland Park
Cost of Living
103
index (100 = avg)
Political Science in Overland Park, KS Overview
Overland Park, Kansas (pop. 197,238) has 13 colleges offering Political Science programs. The local cost of living index of 103 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,092/month. Political Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Policy Analysis and Research. The adjusted starting salary in Overland Park is approximately $49,440.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
13
Public Tuition
$3,564/yr
Private Tuition
$48,279/yr
Room & Board
$11,548/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,390/yr
Unemployment
6%
Graduation Rate
54%
Political Science Salary in Overland Park (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Overland Park's cost of living index of 103 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Political Science salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Overland Park adjustment factor: 1.03x based on the local cost of living index.
Political Science ROI Calculator for Overland Park
Estimate your return on investment for a Political Science degree using local Overland Park tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $3,564 | Private avg: $48,279
Overland Park avg aid: $9,390/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$60,448
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,390
vs HS diploma in Overland Park
ROI Payback Period
4.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Overland Park
$351,552
Lifetime earnings premium ($412,000) minus total education cost ($60,448)
Student Loan Payoff for Political Science in Overland Park
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Overland Park for Political Science
Johnson County Community College
public
$3,564/yr
$14,256 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Johnson County Community College
$3,564/yr
Top Employers for Political Science in Overland Park
Overland Park offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Political Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Overland Park Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Political Science Job Titles
Political Science in Nearby Kansas Cities
Wichita, KS
$50K starting · COL 104
20 colleges
Kansas City, KS
$40K starting · COL 82.5
6 colleges
Olathe, KS
$46K starting · COL 96.8
6 colleges
Topeka, KS
$40K starting · COL 84
14 colleges
Lawrence, KS
$52K starting · COL 108
5 colleges
Shawnee, KS
$42K starting · COL 86.5
3 colleges
Lenexa, KS
$46K starting · COL 96.2
3 colleges
Manhattan, KS
$46K starting · COL 95
6 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Overland Park
International Relations
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$52K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$52K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$52K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$45K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$45K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Political Science Degree in Overland Park — 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 Overland Park.