Political Science Degree in Seattle, WA — Salary & ROI 2026
Political Science degree analysis for Seattle, WA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$58K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$86K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.7 yrs
in Seattle
Cost of Living
120
index (100 = avg)
Political Science in Seattle, WA Overview
Seattle, Washington (pop. 737,015) has 16 colleges offering Political Science programs. The local cost of living index of 120 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,508/month. Political Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Policy Analysis and Research. The adjusted starting salary in Seattle is approximately $57,600.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
16
Public Tuition
$12,076/yr
Private Tuition
$49,119/yr
Room & Board
$18,145/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,675/yr
Unemployment
3.1%
Graduation Rate
68%
Political Science Salary in Seattle (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Seattle's cost of living index of 120 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Political Science salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Seattle adjustment factor: 1.20x based on the local cost of living index.
Political Science ROI Calculator for Seattle
Estimate your return on investment for a Political Science degree using local Seattle tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,076 | Private avg: $49,119
Seattle avg aid: $10,675/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$120,884
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,600
vs HS diploma in Seattle
ROI Payback Period
7.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Seattle
$359,116
Lifetime earnings premium ($480,000) minus total education cost ($120,884)
Student Loan Payoff for Political Science in Seattle
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Seattle for Political Science
University of Washington
public
$12,076/yr
$48,304 total
Seattle University
private
$51,435/yr
$205,740 total
Seattle Pacific University
private
$46,803/yr
$187,212 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Seattle Central College
$4,479/yr
Top Employers for Political Science in Seattle
Seattle offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Political Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Seattle Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Political Science Job Titles
Political Science in Nearby Washington Cities
Spokane, WA
$58K starting · COL 121
20 colleges
Tacoma, WA
$54K starting · COL 113
25 colleges
Vancouver, WA
$52K starting · COL 108.5
7 colleges
Bellevue, WA
$86K starting · COL 178.5
6 colleges
Kent, WA
$56K starting · COL 115.8
6 colleges
Everett, WA
$57K starting · COL 118.2
5 colleges
Renton, WA
$59K starting · COL 122.5
5 colleges
Spokane Valley, WA
$59K starting · COL 123.1
4 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Seattle
International Relations
$60K starting · 5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$60K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$60K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$60K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$60K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$53K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$60K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$53K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Political Science Degree in Seattle — 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 Seattle.