Political Science Degree in Torrance, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Political Science degree analysis for Torrance, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$78K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$117K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6 yrs
in Torrance
Cost of Living
162.3
index (100 = avg)
Political Science in Torrance, CA Overview
Torrance, California (pop. 147,067) has 6 colleges offering Political Science programs. The local cost of living index of 162.3 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $2,760/month. Political Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Policy Analysis and Research. The adjusted starting salary in Torrance is approximately $77,904.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$14,500/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$17,017/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,091/yr
Unemployment
5.3%
Graduation Rate
68%
Political Science Salary in Torrance (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Torrance's cost of living index of 162.3 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Political Science salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Torrance adjustment factor: 1.62x based on the local cost of living index.
Political Science ROI Calculator for Torrance
Estimate your return on investment for a Political Science degree using local Torrance tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,500 | Private avg: $42,000
Torrance avg aid: $15,091/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$126,068
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$21,099
vs HS diploma in Torrance
ROI Payback Period
6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Torrance
$523,132
Lifetime earnings premium ($649,200) minus total education cost ($126,068)
Student Loan Payoff for Political Science in Torrance
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Torrance for Political Science
Torrance State University
public
$14,860/yr
$59,440 total
University of Torrance
public
$15,109/yr
$60,436 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Torrance Community College
$6,853/yr
Top Employers for Political Science in Torrance
Torrance offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Political Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Torrance Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Political Science Job Titles
Political Science in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$68K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$67K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$62K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$55K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$57K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$54K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$56K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$63K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Torrance
International Relations
$81K starting · 5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$81K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$81K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$81K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$81K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$71K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$81K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$71K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Political Science Degree in Torrance — 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 Torrance.