College ROI Report
Updated 2024
Best-value Colleges for Political science
If you’re interested in a career in public office, or as a lobbyist for a company, organization or cause in which you believe, studying political science is a good way to get started. Poli sci is also a great education to pursue if you have interest in becoming a lawyer, journalist or – wait for it – political scientist.
| Rank | School Name | 20 Year Net ROI | Total 4 Year Cost | Graduation Rate | Typical Years to Graduate | Average Loan Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank:1 | School Name: Dartmouth College (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$1,304,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$323,000 | Graduation Rate:95% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$25,600 |
| Rank:2 | School Name: Princeton University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$1,264,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$301,000 | Graduation Rate:97% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$30,200 |
| Rank:3 | School Name: - Main Campus_50px.png) University of Washington-Seattle Campus (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$1,047,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$120,000 | Graduation Rate:84% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$24,700 |
| Rank:4 | School Name: College of William and Mary (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$984,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$161,000 | Graduation Rate:91% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$35,500 |
| Rank:5 | School Name:University of Washington-Seattle Campus (Out-of-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$937,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$231,000 | Graduation Rate:84% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$24,700 |
| Rank:6 | School Name:College of William and Mary (Out-of-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$891,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$254,000 | Graduation Rate:91% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$35,500 |
| Rank:7 | School Name: University of Maryland-College Park (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$810,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$113,000 | Graduation Rate:89% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$40,800 |
| Rank:8 | School Name:_50px.jpg) Michigan State University (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$789,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$119,000 | Graduation Rate:82% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$32,600 |
| Rank:9 | School Name:_50px.png) University of California-Santa Cruz (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$771,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$153,000 | Graduation Rate:77% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$26,100 |
| Rank:10 | School Name: - Main Campus_50px.jpg) University of Virginia-Main Campus (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$758,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$144,000 | Graduation Rate:95% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$34,600 |
Though salaries for these jobs vary, regardless of your post-graduation plans, it’s important to do your homework regarding what you can expect in terms of a return on investment from your school and degree. So before you choose where you want to go to college or university, use Payscale’s College ROI report to make sure you don’t start your career at a financial disadvantage.
A few celebrities who majored in political science include Barack Obama, Dick Cheney, Rachel Maddow, Anderson Cooper, Elisabeth Shue, Alec Baldwin and Jerry Springer. Yes, that Jerry Springer.
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