Political Science Degree in Roanoke, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Political Science degree analysis for Roanoke, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$42K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$64K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
9.9 yrs
in Roanoke
Cost of Living
88.5
index (100 = avg)
Political Science in Roanoke, VA Overview
While Roanoke has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Political Science students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,393/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 Roanoke is approximately $42,480.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$14,200/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,393/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,213/yr
Unemployment
2.8%
Graduation Rate
63%
Political Science Salary in Roanoke (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Roanoke's cost of living index of 88.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Political Science salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Roanoke adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.
Political Science ROI Calculator for Roanoke
Estimate your return on investment for a Political Science degree using local Roanoke tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,200 | Private avg: $38,000
Roanoke avg aid: $11,213/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$114,372
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$11,505
vs HS diploma in Roanoke
ROI Payback Period
9.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Roanoke
$239,628
Lifetime earnings premium ($354,000) minus total education cost ($114,372)
Student Loan Payoff for Political Science in Roanoke
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Roanoke for Political Science
Roanoke State University
public
$14,684/yr
$58,736 total
University of Roanoke
public
$12,724/yr
$50,896 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Roanoke Community College
$5,068/yr
Top Employers for Political Science in Roanoke
Roanoke offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Political Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Roanoke Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Political Science Job Titles
Political Science in Nearby Virginia Cities
Virginia Beach, VA
$42K starting · COL 88
13 colleges
Chesapeake, VA
$44K starting · COL 91
12 colleges
Arlington, VA
$68K starting · COL 142.5
9 colleges
Norfolk, VA
$45K starting · COL 93
16 colleges
Richmond, VA
$48K starting · COL 100
11 colleges
Newport News, VA
$44K starting · COL 92.5
7 colleges
Alexandria, VA
$49K starting · COL 102
8 colleges
Hampton, VA
$47K starting · COL 97
7 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Roanoke
International Relations
$44K starting · 5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$44K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$44K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$44K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$44K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$39K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$44K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$39K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Political Science Degree in Roanoke — 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 Roanoke.