Political Science Degree in Tempe, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Political Science degree analysis for Tempe, AZ. 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
8.7 yrs
in Tempe
Cost of Living
113
index (100 = avg)
Political Science in Tempe, AZ Overview
While Tempe has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Political Science students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $19,552/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 Tempe is approximately $54,240.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$12,467/yr
Private Tuition
$40,205/yr
Room & Board
$19,552/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,200/yr
Unemployment
6.9%
Graduation Rate
73%
Political Science Salary in Tempe (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Tempe's cost of living index of 113 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Political Science salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Tempe adjustment factor: 1.13x based on the local cost of living index.
Political Science ROI Calculator for Tempe
Estimate your return on investment for a Political Science degree using local Tempe tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,467 | Private avg: $40,205
Tempe avg aid: $15,200/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$128,076
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,690
vs HS diploma in Tempe
ROI Payback Period
8.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Tempe
$323,924
Lifetime earnings premium ($452,000) minus total education cost ($128,076)
Student Loan Payoff for Political Science in Tempe
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Tempe for Political Science
Arizona State University
public
$12,467/yr
$49,868 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Rio Salado College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Political Science in Tempe
Tempe offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Political Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Tempe 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
Scottsdale, AZ
$60K starting · COL 126
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$50K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Tempe
International Relations
$57K starting · 5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$57K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$57K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$57K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$57K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$50K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$57K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$50K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Political Science Degree in Tempe — 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 Tempe.