Political Science Degree in Rochester, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Political Science degree analysis for Rochester, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$50K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$76K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.3 yrs
in Rochester
Cost of Living
105
index (100 = avg)
Political Science in Rochester, MN Overview
Rochester, Minnesota (pop. 121,395) has 8 colleges offering Political Science programs. The local cost of living index of 105 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $933/month. Political Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Policy Analysis and Research. The adjusted starting salary in Rochester is approximately $50,400.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
8
Public Tuition
$8,930/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$12,715/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,803/yr
Unemployment
4.1%
Graduation Rate
63%
Political Science Salary in Rochester (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Rochester's cost of living index of 105 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Political Science salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Rochester adjustment factor: 1.05x based on the local cost of living index.
Political Science ROI Calculator for Rochester
Estimate your return on investment for a Political Science degree using local Rochester tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,930 | Private avg: $42,000
Rochester avg aid: $11,803/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$86,580
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,650
vs HS diploma in Rochester
ROI Payback Period
6.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Rochester
$333,420
Lifetime earnings premium ($420,000) minus total education cost ($86,580)
Student Loan Payoff for Political Science in Rochester
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Rochester for Political Science
Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences
private
$42,000/yr
$168,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Rochester Community and Technical College
$5,772/yr
Top Employers for Political Science in Rochester
Rochester offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Political Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Rochester 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
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
Plymouth, MN
$52K starting · COL 107.3
4 colleges
Maple Grove, MN
$52K starting · COL 107.4
4 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Rochester
International Relations
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$53K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$53K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$53K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$46K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$46K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Political Science Degree in Rochester — 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 Rochester.