Political Science Degree in Scottsdale, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Political Science degree analysis for Scottsdale, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$60K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$91K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.1 yrs
in Scottsdale
Cost of Living
126
index (100 = avg)
Political Science in Scottsdale, AZ Overview
Scottsdale, Arizona (pop. 241,361) has 16 colleges offering Political Science programs. The local cost of living index of 126 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,416/month. Political Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Policy Analysis and Research. The adjusted starting salary in Scottsdale is approximately $60,480.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
16
Public Tuition
$2,580/yr
Private Tuition
$47,544/yr
Room & Board
$14,253/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,836/yr
Unemployment
3.8%
Graduation Rate
50%
Political Science Salary in Scottsdale (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Scottsdale's cost of living index of 126 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Political Science salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Scottsdale adjustment factor: 1.26x based on the local cost of living index.
Political Science ROI Calculator for Scottsdale
Estimate your return on investment for a Political Science degree using local Scottsdale tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $2,580 | Private avg: $47,544
Scottsdale avg aid: $14,836/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$67,332
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,380
vs HS diploma in Scottsdale
ROI Payback Period
4.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Scottsdale
$436,668
Lifetime earnings premium ($504,000) minus total education cost ($67,332)
Student Loan Payoff for Political Science in Scottsdale
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Scottsdale for Political Science
Scottsdale Community College
public
$2,580/yr
$10,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Scottsdale Community College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Political Science in Scottsdale
Scottsdale offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Political Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Scottsdale Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Political Science Job Titles
Political Science in Nearby Arizona Cities
Phoenix, AZ
$73K starting · COL 152
72 colleges
Tucson, AZ
$56K starting · COL 116
24 colleges
Mesa, AZ
$53K starting · COL 110
31 colleges
Chandler, AZ
$60K starting · COL 124
22 colleges
Gilbert, AZ
$57K starting · COL 119
26 colleges
Glendale, AZ
$50K starting · COL 105
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$50K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Tempe, AZ
$54K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Scottsdale
International Relations
$63K starting · 5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$63K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$63K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$63K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$63K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$55K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$63K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$55K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Political Science Degree in Scottsdale — 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 Scottsdale.