Political Science Degree in Spokane, WA — Salary & ROI 2026
Political Science degree analysis for Spokane, WA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$58K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$87K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.7 yrs
in Spokane
Cost of Living
121
index (100 = avg)
Political Science in Spokane, WA Overview
Spokane, Washington (pop. 228,989) has 20 colleges offering Political Science programs. The local cost of living index of 121 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,678/month. Political Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Policy Analysis and Research. The adjusted starting salary in Spokane is approximately $58,080.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
20
Public Tuition
$13,119/yr
Private Tuition
$49,320/yr
Room & Board
$13,236/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,489/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
61%
Political Science Salary in Spokane (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Spokane's cost of living index of 121 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Political Science salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Spokane adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
Political Science ROI Calculator for Spokane
Estimate your return on investment for a Political Science degree using local Spokane tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,119 | Private avg: $49,320
Spokane avg aid: $8,489/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$105,420
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,730
vs HS diploma in Spokane
ROI Payback Period
6.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Spokane
$378,580
Lifetime earnings premium ($484,000) minus total education cost ($105,420)
Student Loan Payoff for Political Science in Spokane
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Spokane for Political Science
Gonzaga University
private
$50,380/yr
$201,520 total
Whitworth University
private
$48,260/yr
$193,040 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Spokane Falls Community College
$4,479/yr
Top Employers for Political Science in Spokane
Spokane offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Political Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Spokane 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
Seattle, WA
$58K starting · COL 120
16 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 Spokane
International Relations
$61K starting · 5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$61K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$61K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$61K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$61K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$53K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$61K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$53K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Political Science Degree in Spokane — 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 Spokane.