What can you do with a Political Science And Government degree from University of Iowa?

First, some facts. Of the Political Science And Government graduates from University of Iowa we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 12 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 41%, Political Science And Government graduates from University of Iowa have a substantially lower likelihood (-26%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 41%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 16% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Political Science And Government graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Political Science And Government graduate from University of Iowa and our analysis:


Relevance score: 49%

We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2012 from University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science And Government. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Intern
Ernest R. Sawyer, Enterprises Inc.
Jan 2014 - Feb 2014
The intern position at Ernest R. Sawyer, Enterprises Inc. does not directly utilize any skills or knowledge from a Political Science and Government degree, as it likely focuses on general business tasks.

GIS Specialist
Municipal GIS Partners, Inc. (MGP Inc.)
Feb 2014 - Feb 2018
The role of GIS Specialist may involve some indirect application of political science-related understanding in urban planning and policy analysis, but it is not a core function of the job.

Analyst, Distribution Integrity Management Program
Nicor Gas
Feb 2018 - Nov 2019
As an Analyst for the Distribution Integrity Management Program, there may be some relevance in terms of policy and regulatory compliance, but the core tasks do not center around political science knowledge.

Program Coordinator - Energy Efficiency
Nicor Gas
Nov 2019 - Jul 2021
The role of Program Coordinator in Energy Efficiency involves aspects of policy implementation that can relate to governance, but it doesnt extensively utilize political science skills on a daily basis.

Supervisor, Resource Management
Nicor Gas
Jul 2021 - Jun 2022
The Supervisor of Resource Management position may touch on policy applications regarding resource management, yet it does not primarily revolve around the knowledge and skills gained from a political science education.

Associate Program Manager
Nicor Gas
Jun 2022 - Jun 2023
As an Associate Program Manager, there may be elements of project management that intersect with governance principles, but the job focuses more on operational management than on political science itself.

Program Manager
Nicor Gas
Jun 2023 - Present
The Program Manager position at Nicor Gas may require some understanding of regulatory frameworks which ties back to political science, though it is not the main focus of the role on a daily basis.

ABOUT

I am proud to be a program manager with the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program. I am responsible for the development and implementation of Nicor Gas comprehensive income eligible energy efficiency offerings to ensure that customers in need receive critical natural gas, health, and safety services. I partner with other utilities across the state of Illinois, and I ensure that more than $50 million in key programming initiatives are implemented to support Nicor Gas communities. I am also currently a member of the Nicor Gas Environmental Stewardship Pillar Grant Team that awards grants to organizations across the companys service territory that are committed to providing equitable access to natural green spaces and enhancing sustainability activities that make a meaningful environmental impact.

What jobs can you get with a Political Science And Government degree from University of Iowa?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


It looks like a lot of people who graduated with a degree in Political Science and Government from the University of Iowa have ended up in various roles, but not all of these jobs are directly related to what they studied. A common theme is that many graduates have taken positions that center around management, coordination, and operational roles in sectors like energy, education, and even retail. For example, roles such as Account Manager, Program Coordinator, and even Legal Assistant show up frequently. While these positions can benefit from skills like communication and critical thinking—skills often honed during a Political Science degree—their daily tasks don't usually dive deep into political theories or government operations.

However, there are also standout roles where the connection to Political Science is clear, especially in campaign-related positions like Field Organizer or in non-profit work at places like the Anti-Defamation League. These jobs directly apply political knowledge and skills, engaging with the electoral process and advocacy work. So, overall, while some grads have found themselves in positions that loosely connect to their degree, many others seem to be pursuing careers that don't tap into the specifics of Political Science and Government as much as one might expect. It’s a mixed bag, but it definitely highlights how versatile a Political Science degree can be, allowing for a variety of career paths both within and outside of traditional political roles.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Political Science And Government graduates (this is across all Political Science And Government graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of Iowa):

What kind of career trajectories do Political Science And Government graduates from University of Iowa have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates from the University of Iowa with a degree in Political Science and Government seem to have a pretty diverse range of career trajectories. For those just starting out, many of them typically land jobs that are either directly related to politics or government, like internships, field organizing, or working as program coordinators. Some go the nonprofit route, engaging in education and community service roles, indicating that many are keen on public service and social impact right off the bat. However, it's also common for some to take detours into sectors that may not seem directly tied to their degree, like sales or hospitality, especially in the early years after graduation.

Fast forward about five to ten years, and you'll notice that a good number of these graduates seem to find their footing in more specialized roles. Many shift towards management positions, often within energy companies or continue building careers in government, political campaigns, or legal sectors. While some do manage to secure positions that clearly align with their Political Science backgrounds, like working for political campaigns or as judicial clerks, others seem to drift into roles that could be seen as less relevant, such as being in marketing or operations at brewing companies. Overall, while there are successes in terms of relevant careers, a fair number do seem to take less direct paths, creating a mixed bag when it comes to the effectiveness of the degree in landing roles that utilize those specific skills and knowledge gained in school.

How hard is a Political Science And Government degree from University of Iowa?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government at the University of Iowa—or really anywhere—can be a mix of challenging and engaging. It’s not super easy, but it’s not the hardest degree out there either. You’ll dive into topics like political theory, public policy, and international relations, which can get pretty intense depending on the classes you choose. If you enjoy discussing current events and analyzing various political systems, it could be really fun! But be prepared for a good amount of reading, writing research papers, and maybe some debates. Overall, it’s definitely manageable if you stay on top of your work and have an interest in the subject.

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Political Science And Government.

Do Political Science And Government graduates from University of Iowa tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of these University of Iowa Political Science and Government graduates, it’s a mixed bag in terms of money-making potential. Some of them, especially those who moved into roles at companies like Nicor Gas or the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, seem to have climbed the ladder pretty effectively, suggesting they're likely earning decent salaries now. On the flip side, others, particularly those who started as servers or bartenders, reflect a more typical starting point with jobs that probably paid less right out of college. Overall, it seems like if they stick with their fields and keep advancing, a lot of them are on a good path to make decent money in the long run, but it's clear some took longer to find those higher-paying gigs.

What buzzwords do Political Science And Government graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Political Science And Government (this is across all Political Science And Government graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of Iowa). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Political Science And Government?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Political Science And Government (ordered by the average relevance score of their Political Science And Government graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
The University of Alabama 83 16
New York University 79 11
San Diego State University 79 14
University of Notre Dame 79 13
University of California, Berkeley 78 28
Georgetown University 77 10
The George Washington University 76 20
University of Maryland College Park 75 10
Rutgers University 75 15
University of Nevada-Las Vegas 74 10
University at Albany, SUNY 72 13
John Jay College (CUNY) 72 11
The Catholic University of America 72 10
University of Michigan 71 18
Santa Clara University 71 10
University of Florida 69 28
California State University-Sacramento 69 15
University of Missouri-Columbia 67 10
American University 67 27
University of Washington 66 16
Miami University 66 13
Portland State University 66 13
The Ohio State University 65 20
Virginia Commonwealth University 65 17
California State University-Long Beach 65 10
The University of Texas at Austin 64 35
Baylor University 64 10
Brigham Young University 63 14
Indiana University Bloomington 63 12
Louisiana State University 63 14
Queens College 63 13
Fordham University 63 15
University of Central Florida 62 33
University of Wisconsin-Madison 62 21
University of California, Los Angeles 62 42
Georgia State University 62 20
University of Minnesota 62 11
UC Santa Barbara 62 14
Howard University 62 10
Temple University 61 15
The University of Georgia 61 11
Binghamton University 61 11
University of Colorado Boulder 60 18
Arizona State University 59 44
Florida State University 59 33
Towson University 59 14
Florida Atlantic University 59 21
Virginia Tech 59 14
San Jose State University 58 12
University of South Carolina 58 13
Michigan State University 57 10
Kansas State University 56 10
UC Irvine 56 14
College of the Holy Cross 56 11
Florida International University 55 23
University of South Florida 55 21
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 55 12
Appalachian State University 55 15
Christopher Newport University 55 14
University of Houston 54 20
Colorado State University 54 12
Loyola University Chicago 54 10
University of Oregon 53 20
Georgia Southern University 53 10
University of Maryland Baltimore County 53 14
University of Arkansas 52 12
Harvard University 52 10
University of California, Davis 51 21
North Carolina State University 51 12
Troy University 51 10
Illinois State University 50 21
California State University, Long Beach 50 12
University of Tennessee, Knoxville 50 12
Texas Tech University 49 15
Auburn University 49 14
California State University, Northridge 49 10
West Chester University of Pennsylvania 49 10
Villanova University 49 12
San Francisco State University 48 12
Kennesaw State University 47 15
University of Arizona 46 16
West Virginia University 46 13
Texas A&M University 45 26
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 45 14
University of California, Riverside 45 20
University of Connecticut 45 13
Penn State University 44 10
University at Buffalo 42 12
University of Iowa 41 12
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 40 19
Clemson University 37 11
University of Mississippi 29 10