Political Science and Government at University of Utah
UT · Bachelor's Degree · CIP 45.10
Executive Summary
Graduates with a Political Science and Government degree from University of Utah earn a median salary of $67,055 within five years of graduation. Adjusted for the cost of living in UT, this represents a national purchasing power equivalent of $64,787. The degree typically pays for itself in 7.1 years.
Quick Insights
How this degree looks at a glance
A fast read on salary range, break-even speed, living-cost impact, and where graduates from this school usually land.
Salary Ranges
Starting Range
$48,460
Typical Career
$67,055
Top Performers
$92,565
Estimated break-even: 7.1 years.
Debt-to-Income Check
$447
Estimated comfortable monthly loan payment
Typical monthly pay is approximately $5,588. Most students can comfortably afford about a $447 monthly loan payment with this degree.
Comparison Bench
This degree earns 1.7x more than the average US high school graduate and 0.9x more than the average college graduate.
Purchasing Power Context
A dollar in Utah buys what costs $1.04 nationally.
Industry Breadcrumbs
Top industries for bachelor's graduates from this school: Professional, Scientific & Technical Services, Health Care & Social Assistance, Educational Services.
Where Bachelor's Graduates from This School Work
Institution-wide industry mix for graduates, 5 years after graduation. This is not major-specific. Source: Census PSEO Flows.
5-Year Median Salary — National Purchasing Power Equivalent
$64,787
Nominal: $67,055 in Utah (COL 103.5% of national avg) · 3.4% lower purchasing power
10-Year Earnings Curve
Break-Even Timeline
How long until cumulative earnings advantage exceeds total college investment (tuition + opportunity cost vs. entering workforce directly after high school).
Total Investment
$155,168
4yr tuition + 4yr opportunity cost
HS Graduate Baseline
$38,792/yr
BLS 2023 median, HS diploma
View Raw Data: Median Earnings by Year
| Timeframe | 25th Pct. | Median (50th) | 75th Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Year After Graduation | $29,548 | $42,247 | $57,299 |
| 5 Years After Graduation | $48,460 | $67,055 | $92,565 |
| 10 Years After Graduation | $63,258 | $93,016 | $145,212 |
Source: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO), 2025 release. Earnings shown for Bachelor's degree graduates (all cohorts combined).
How We Calculate Purchasing Power
The median salary of $67,055 is reported by the US Census Bureau's Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) dataset for graduates working in UT, which has a cost-of-living index of 103.5% of the national average.
Formula: Adjusted Salary = Nominal × (1.0 ÷ COL Index)
= $67,055 × (1.0 ÷ 1.0350)
= $64,787 National Average equivalent.
COL index source: BLS Regional Consumer Price Index & MIT Living Wage Project, 2023. Full methodology →
Career Verdict
The top industries employing these graduates include Professional, Scientific & Technical Services (17.2%), Health Care & Social Assistance (16.9%), and Educational Services (14.4%). With an estimated break-even point of approximately 7.1 years compared to a high school-only path, the degree offers a favorable return on investment. This suggests that pursuing a Political Science and Government degree can lead to significant career opportunities and financial benefits, making it a viable option for students considering their future.
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Other Degrees at University of Utah
Data sources: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO). Cost-of-living index: BLS Regional CPI & MIT Living Wage Project. Cost of attendance: IPEDS. For informational use only; data may be suppressed for small cohort sizes.