What can you do with a Political Science degree from Northeastern University?

First, some facts. Of the Political Science graduates from Northeastern University 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 49%, Political Science graduates from Northeastern University have a much lower likelihood (-18%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 49%
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, 40% 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 you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Political Science graduate.

See the details:

View a random Political Science graduate from Northeastern University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 24%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2012 from Northeastern University with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Cashier Sales Associate
Lowe's Companies, Inc.
Oct 2016 - Present
The Cashier Sales Associate role at Lowe's does not require any political science knowledge or skills, specifically focusing on retail operations and customer service instead.

Operations Specialist
TechData Service Company, LLC
Dec 2016 - Present
As an Operations Specialist at TechData, some analytical and organizational skills may be relevant to political science, but the position does not require extensive political science knowledge or skills directly.

ABOUT

Skilled assistant dedicated to providing high-level administrative support to senior operations management and cross-functional teams through planning, coordinating, and supporting organizational activities. Proven track record of researching, reporting, and managing projects while handling multiple priorities. Skilled in working both autonomously and in a collaborative manner to achieve business objectives. Trained new employees to perform daily tasks as needed for successful continuous operation of port. Motivated learner committed to identifying opportunities that increase skill and ability.

What jobs can you get with a Political Science degree from Northeastern University?

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


When looking at the job paths of Northeastern University graduates with a degree in Political Science, it’s clear that a significant number have ventured into roles that directly involve politics and public policy. Many work as legal interns, legislative aides, or communications advisors, positions that leverage their understanding of political processes and the law. These jobs are closely tied to their education and make good use of what they learned in school. For instance, roles like the Summer Law Intern and Press Secretary allow them to apply their knowledge about governance and political communication, which is pretty spot on for a Political Science background.

However, it’s not all politics and policy for these graduates. You’ll find quite a few in roles completely detached from their major, such as in retail, operations at tech companies, or even positions in human resources and finance. These jobs often involve skills like customer service or project management that, while valuable, don’t relate back to political science principles. So, while there’s a good chunk of alumni that have landed roles relevant to their degree, there’s also a noticeable mix of graduates who have taken a different route, focusing on skills from their degree but not directly applying the core political concepts they've learned. Overall, it appears that while some grads are thriving in political fields, many are finding their way in various other industries as well.

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

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

When you look at the career trajectories of Northeastern University graduates with a Political Science degree, it's pretty clear that many of them start off with roles that are quite relevant to politics, law, and public affairs. For those who graduated in the early 2010s, we see a mix of legal internships and roles in non-profits and advocacy groups, suggesting that right out of college, many aimed for positions that directly impact societal issues or legal frameworks. However, not everyone stays on that track forever; some have moved into corporate sectors, like the individual who transitioned from a role in public relations to vice president at a major firm. It shows that while they start with a focus on political work, some find their way into more generalized business roles over time.

Fast forward to five or ten years later, and you’ll notice the diversity in their jobs is pretty remarkable. Many still keep a hand in the political or advocacy spaces, like those who took on senior roles in organizations focusing on economic justice or clean energy, which are aligned with their initial Political Science training. Others have found their niche in business and tech, holding significant positions in companies like Pratt & Whitney, which might not seem directly related to political science but still demonstrate strong leadership and management skills. Overall, it seems that while some people have pursued careers directly aligned with their degree, others have branched out into other areas. It’s a mixed bag, but a lot of them seem to find success in various fields, so that’s definitely encouraging for any future Political Science majors out there!

How hard is a Political Science degree from Northeastern University?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at Northeastern University can be a pretty challenging yet rewarding experience, just like most Political Science programs out there. You’ll be digging into everything from political theory to international relations, which can get pretty complex. The coursework often requires a lot of reading, critical thinking, and writing, so you can expect to spend some late nights cramming or working on papers. However, Northeastern's co-op program adds a unique twist by letting you gain practical experience while you study, which can help lighten the load a bit if you’re applying your knowledge in real-world situations. Overall, I’d say it’s on the tougher side of average, but if you’re passionate about the subject, it will definitely be an engaging and fulfilling ride!

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.

Do Political Science graduates from Northeastern University tend to make good money?

Looking at the careers of these Northeastern University Political Science graduates, it seems like they've landed some pretty decent jobs, which is great considering they all have varying paths. The ones who graduated in 2012 and 2013 seem to have taken on roles in law and communications, which typically pay decent salaries, though starting out as interns doesn’t usually bring in much. By 2014 and beyond, many shifted into roles in business and management, especially with companies like Pratt & Whitney, which usually offer solid pay. The more recent grads, like those from 2019 and 2021, are somewhat at the beginning of their career journeys, but jobs in compliance and analysis often pay well, especially with a major firm like JPMorgan Chase involved. Overall, while specific salaries aren't listed, it looks like most of them are set to make good money down the line, especially if they keep climbing the career ladder!

What buzzwords do Political Science 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 (this is across all Political Science graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Northeastern University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Political Science?

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

College Score Count
University of California, Berkeley 82 12
The George Washington University 80 10
Florida State University 79 10
University of California, Riverside 79 10
Texas A&M University 77 12
University of California, Davis 75 10
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 74 11
Georgia State University 74 12
University of Connecticut 70 12
The Ohio State University 66 15
University of Central Florida 64 10
University of Washington 60 10
University of California, Los Angeles 59 15
University of Michigan 57 12
Penn State University 54 11
Arizona State University 52 14
Northeastern University 49 10
University of Oregon 46 12