Political Science Degree in Rio Rancho, NM — Salary & ROI 2026
Political Science degree analysis for Rio Rancho, NM. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$45K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$68K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.9 yrs
in Rio Rancho
Cost of Living
93.8
index (100 = avg)
Political Science in Rio Rancho, NM Overview
While Rio Rancho has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Political Science students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $13,400/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 Rio Rancho is approximately $45,024.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$7,700/yr
Private Tuition
$20,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,400/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,427/yr
Unemployment
4.9%
Graduation Rate
48%
Political Science Salary in Rio Rancho (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Rio Rancho's cost of living index of 93.8 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Political Science salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Rio Rancho adjustment factor: 0.94x based on the local cost of living index.
Political Science ROI Calculator for Rio Rancho
Estimate your return on investment for a Political Science degree using local Rio Rancho tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,700 | Private avg: $20,000
Rio Rancho avg aid: $13,427/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$84,400
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,194
vs HS diploma in Rio Rancho
ROI Payback Period
6.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Rio Rancho
$290,800
Lifetime earnings premium ($375,200) minus total education cost ($84,400)
Student Loan Payoff for Political Science in Rio Rancho
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Rio Rancho for Political Science
Rio Rancho State University
public
$7,689/yr
$30,756 total
University of Rio Rancho
public
$7,258/yr
$29,032 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Rio Rancho Community College
$5,103/yr
Top Employers for Political Science in Rio Rancho
Rio Rancho offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Political Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Rio Rancho Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Political Science Job Titles
Political Science in Nearby New Mexico Cities
Other Social Sciences Majors in Rio Rancho
International Relations
$47K starting · 5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$47K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$47K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$47K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$47K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$41K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$47K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$41K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Political Science Degree in Rio Rancho — 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 Rio Rancho.