Political Science Degree in Salt Lake City, UT — Salary & ROI 2026
Political Science degree analysis for Salt Lake City, UT. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$54K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$81K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.4 yrs
in Salt Lake City
Cost of Living
112
index (100 = avg)
Political Science in Salt Lake City, UT Overview
While Salt Lake City has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Political Science students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $17,800/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 Salt Lake City is approximately $53,760.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$9,222/yr
Private Tuition
$38,396/yr
Room & Board
$17,800/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,636/yr
Unemployment
6%
Graduation Rate
52%
Political Science Salary in Salt Lake City (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Salt Lake City's cost of living index of 112 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Political Science salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Salt Lake City adjustment factor: 1.12x based on the local cost of living index.
Political Science ROI Calculator for Salt Lake City
Estimate your return on investment for a Political Science degree using local Salt Lake City tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,222 | Private avg: $38,396
Salt Lake City avg aid: $10,636/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$108,088
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,560
vs HS diploma in Salt Lake City
ROI Payback Period
7.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Salt Lake City
$339,912
Lifetime earnings premium ($448,000) minus total education cost ($108,088)
Student Loan Payoff for Political Science in Salt Lake City
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Salt Lake City for Political Science
University of Utah
public
$9,222/yr
$36,888 total
Westminster University
private
$38,396/yr
$153,584 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Salt Lake Community College
$4,116/yr
Top Employers for Political Science in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Political Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Salt Lake City Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Political Science Job Titles
Political Science in Nearby Utah Cities
West Valley City, UT
$47K starting · COL 98.5
6 colleges
West Jordan, UT
$48K starting · COL 99.8
5 colleges
Provo, UT
$62K starting · COL 130
7 colleges
Orem, UT
$59K starting · COL 122
4 colleges
Sandy, UT
$50K starting · COL 103.8
4 colleges
St. George, UT
$60K starting · COL 125
2 colleges
Ogden, UT
$49K starting · COL 103
5 colleges
Layton, UT
$47K starting · COL 97.8
4 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Salt Lake City
International Relations
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$56K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$56K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$56K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$49K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$49K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Political Science Degree in Salt Lake City — 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 Salt Lake City.