What can you do with a Political Science degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?

First, some facts. Of the Political Science graduates from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 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 11 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 74%, Political Science graduates from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have a higher likelihood (+7%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

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

×

Also, after graduating, 81% 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:

• What jobs can you get with a Political Science degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?
• What do Political Science graduates from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a Political Science degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a Political Science degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?
• What are the best colleges for Political Science?

View a random Political Science graduate from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and our analysis:

Relevance score: 71% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree. DEGREE INFO Graduated in 2022 from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Political Science. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION Law Clerk (Homicide Task Force) Cook County Public Defender May 2023 - Aug 2023 The Law Clerk position at the Homicide Task Force directly relates to the core qualifications of political science, focusing on legal frameworks and criminal justice, which are critical to the role. Law Clerk Massarello Law, LLC Aug 2023 - Jan 2024 The Law Clerk position at Massarello Law, LLC may involve some legal concepts and principles that overlap with political science, but it is not specifically centered on the skills and knowledge from the degree. Student Clinician International Human Rights Clinic at UIC Law Jan 2024 - May 2024 The role of Student Clinician at the International Human Rights Clinic at UIC Law directly applies political science knowledge, especially regarding legal rights and international law, making it highly relevant. Law Clerk Tressler LLP Apr 2024 - Present The Law Clerk position at Tressler LLP may utilize some legal analysis skills related to political science, but it does not significantly engage the core knowledge or skills specifically related to the degree. FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING Doctor of Law - JD University of Illinois Chicago School of Law 2022 - 2025 ABOUT Third-year J.D. Candidate at the UIC School of Law with a proven record of academic success, strong work ethic, and consistently professional approach. History of enthusiastic engagement in community and academic settings. Seeking to gain experience in diverse areas of law, with a central focus in litigation.

What jobs can you get with a Political Science degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?

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

• Law Clerk
• Legal Extern
• Accounting Coordinator
• Accounting Specialist I
• Accounting Specialist II
• Senior Revenue Specialist
• Integration Specialist
• Financial Analyst
• Presentation Team Member
• Marketing Intern

When looking at the jobs held by graduates with a Political Science degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, it’s clear that many of them have pursued careers in the legal field. Positions like Law Clerk, Legal Intern, and Attorney dominate the list, which makes sense because a good chunk of Political Science focuses on governmental systems, public policy, and law. These roles usually require a deep understanding of legal principles and how they intersect with political frameworks, so it’s no surprise to see these graduates thriving in such environments. Many find relevant job opportunities within government offices, law firms, or organizations focused on legal advocacy, demonstrating the practical application of their academic background.

However, not every job on the list directly corresponds to Political Science. For instance, roles in retail, sales, or business development show that some graduates have taken quite a different path, where their degree doesn’t play a significant role. These positions often lack the foundational skills taught in Political Science programs, like critical thinking about governance or understanding political behavior. So while many graduates are doing jobs that clearly relate back to their studies, there’s also a noticeable subset that has ventured into fields where their degree's relevance is less apparent. Overall, it seems like having a Political Science degree can lead to meaningful careers, especially in law and government, but there's a mix of paths that graduates take, with varying degrees of relevance to their education.

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 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign):

What kind of career trajectories do Political Science graduates from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Political Science degree seem to have quite diverse career paths, especially in the legal field. Many start their careers as law clerks, legal interns, or in various support roles in law firms or legal departments right after graduation. For instance, graduates from 2010 and 2013 quickly transitioned into law clerking and attorney roles after gaining some necessary experience through internships and entry-level positions. This trend continues with newer graduates as they often begin in legal intern roles before moving to positions like attorney-advisor at agencies such as the TSA or working in public defense.

Fast forward five or ten years, and many alumni tend to secure more advanced positions within the legal sector, often becoming associates at law firms or taking roles in government legal offices. While some have moved slightly away from strictly legal paths into roles like communications specialists or operational management, a significant number find themselves well-placed in public service, advocacy, or legal practice. Overall, it looks like a good number of Political Science graduates from U of I find careers that are not only respectable but closely tied to their field of study, particularly in law and public policy. However, there are also cases of graduates drifting into unrelated fields, especially those who may not pursue law after their initial job, which adds a mix of outcomes to the broader picture.

How hard is a Political Science degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign can be a mixed bag, to be honest. It’s definitely not a walk in the park, but it’s not the toughest degree out there either. You’ll dive into a lot of reading and writing, especially if you’re into theory, or if you take classes on international relations and political theory. There’s also a good amount of critical thinking involved, and you’ll need to keep up with current events. If you’re passionate about politics and enjoy engaging discussions, it can be really rewarding, but if you find those things boring, it might feel like a slog. Overall, it’s a challenging yet manageable degree if you stay organized and keep up with assignments.

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 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign tend to make good money?

So, looking at these Political Science graduates from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, it seems like they've had a pretty varied journey, but in terms of cash flow, it's a mixed bag. The law-related roles, especially those post-graduation, suggest that some have definitely moved into decent-paying positions, like the Associate Attorneys who are likely pulling in solid salaries. Others, particularly those in more entry-level or internship positions, might not be raking in the big bucks right away. However, the steady climb in roles like the Financial Analyst and various legal internships shows how they might be setting themselves up for better pay in the future. Overall, it looks like some are doing well, but there's also a crowd that’s still working their way up the financial ladder. So, it really depends on the specific career path each of them chose!

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 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign). 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