Political Science Degree in Plymouth, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Political Science degree analysis for Plymouth, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$77K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.3 yrs
in Plymouth
Cost of Living
107.3
index (100 = avg)
Political Science in Plymouth, MN Overview
While Plymouth has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Political Science students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,754/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Political Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Policy Analysis and Research. The adjusted starting salary in Plymouth is approximately $51,504.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$14,200/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,754/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,061/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
71%
Political Science Salary in Plymouth (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Plymouth's cost of living index of 107.3 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Political Science salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Plymouth adjustment factor: 1.07x based on the local cost of living index.
Political Science ROI Calculator for Plymouth
Estimate your return on investment for a Political Science degree using local Plymouth tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,200 | Private avg: $38,000
Plymouth avg aid: $10,061/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$115,816
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,949
vs HS diploma in Plymouth
ROI Payback Period
8.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Plymouth
$313,384
Lifetime earnings premium ($429,200) minus total education cost ($115,816)
Student Loan Payoff for Political Science in Plymouth
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Plymouth for Political Science
Plymouth State University
public
$14,111/yr
$56,444 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Plymouth Community College
$6,023/yr
Top Employers for Political Science in Plymouth
Plymouth offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Political Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Plymouth Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Political Science Job Titles
Political Science in Nearby Minnesota Cities
Minneapolis, MN
$47K starting · COL 97
15 colleges
Saint Paul, MN
$49K starting · COL 101.5
11 colleges
St. Paul, MN
$52K starting · COL 108
20 colleges
Rochester, MN
$50K starting · COL 105
8 colleges
Duluth, MN
$48K starting · COL 100
5 colleges
Bloomington, MN
$48K starting · COL 100.2
4 colleges
Brooklyn Park, MN
$47K starting · COL 98.8
4 colleges
Maple Grove, MN
$52K starting · COL 107.4
4 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Plymouth
International Relations
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$54K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$54K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$54K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$47K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$47K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Political Science Degree in Plymouth — 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 Plymouth.