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

First, some facts. Of the Political Science graduates from University of Michigan 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? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 57%, Political Science graduates from University of Michigan have a lower likelihood (-10%) 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.

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Also, after graduating, 75% 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 Michigan?
• What do Political Science graduates from University of Michigan do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a Political Science degree from University of Michigan? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a Political Science degree from University of Michigan?
• What are the best colleges for Political Science?

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

Relevance score: 62% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree. DEGREE INFO Graduated in 2020 from University of Michigan with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION Legislative Assistant Anti-Defamation League Jan 2020 - Mar 2020 As a Legislative Assistant at the Anti-Defamation League, the job directly involves political knowledge and skills that align with a degree in Political Science, requiring an understanding of legislation and policy. Law Clerk City of Akron, Ohio May 2022 - Sep 2022 Working as a Law Clerk for the City of Akron involves legal research and understanding of municipal law, which are directly relevant to a Political Science degree focusing on governance and public policy. Lexis Associate LexisNexis Nov 2021 - Present Although the position as a Lexis Associate at LexisNexis involves legal research, it is more focused on information retrieval and does not directly require core political science skills on a daily basis. Volunteer Summit County CASA Program May 2022 - Present Volunteering at the Summit County CASA Program may involve advocacy and understanding of legal processes, which could utilize some knowledge from Political Science, but it is not primarily focused on political theory or policy. Law Clerk Houston Reed LLC May 2023 - Present The role of Law Clerk at Houston Reed LLC heavily relies on legal knowledge and understanding of the law, closely tying back to the competencies obtained in a Political Science program, making it highly relevant. FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING Doctor of Law - JD University of Akron School of Law 2021 - 2024 ABOUT I graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Political Science. I am currently pursuing a J.D. at Akron School of Law. The fall of 2022, I worked under a solo practicing attorney, who specializes in the Juvenile Division of Summit County and the surrounding Ohio area. The summer of 2022, I worked as a Law Clerk for the City of Akron and volunteered as a CASA/GAL in Summit County.

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

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

• Associate
• Staff Accountant
• Legislative Assistant
• Law Clerk
• Legislative Intern
• Legal Intern
• Front Desk Associate
• Analyst - Product Surveillance
• Accounting/Procurement
• Accounting Coordinator

After looking at the various jobs held by Political Science graduates from the University of Michigan, a few common themes pop up. A significant number of them have gravitated toward roles in law, government, and advocacy. For example, many have worked as legislative assistants, interns in government offices, and various positions within the legal field which directly apply political knowledge and skills. Other roles, such as community engagement directors and development officers, also show connections to advocacy and policy work, allowing these graduates to use what they learned in classes about governance, public policy, and civic engagement.

However, it's also clear that not all jobs held by these grads are closely related to their degree. A good chunk of them found themselves in positions like billing coordinators, business analysts, and digital account managers, which focus more on finance, operations, or marketing rather than political science itself. While some of these jobs can still use specific skills from their education, like critical thinking or understanding regulatory environments, the core responsibilities often don't require profound knowledge of political theories or systems. So, it seems like while many Political Science graduates do find relevant work that aligns with their education, there are also a fair number who step into roles that stray from their major's core focus. Overall, it’s a mixed bag, but there’s a solid representation of individuals making a direct impact in political or legal spheres with their degree.

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 Michigan):

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

Graduates from the University of Michigan with a degree in Political Science seem to have had a mix of career trajectories, but many of them have found their way into roles that leverage their background effectively. For their first jobs, it looks like a lot of them took on internships or entry-level roles in settings like hospitals, political campaigns, or real estate firms. These initial experiences often serve as stepping stones into more substantial positions that relate back to their studies, which is pretty encouraging. For instance, many graduates have transitioned to roles in development, consultant positions, or even political advocacy, highlighting a strong alignment with the skills and knowledge gained during their time at university.

Fast forward five to ten years, and you can see a significant number who have found themselves in notable positions, particularly in areas like law, public policy, or corporate management. While some did drift into roles outside of pure politics or public service—like accounting or administration—it's clear that a good chunk of alumni appear to be doing well, moving up the ranks in organizations related to their major, such as legal firms, non-profits, and corporate environments. So, while there are a few who may have had more unconventional paths, the majority seem to have crafted solid careers that reflect their Political Science education, suggesting a generally positive outcome for graduates from this program. Overall, there seems to be a healthy balance of relevant careers and positive trajectories among these alumni.

How hard is a Political Science degree from University of Michigan?

Honestly, a Bachelor's degree in Political Science at the University of Michigan is pretty standard in terms of difficulty, but it can definitely have its challenges. The coursework involves a lot of reading, writing, and critical thinking, so if you enjoy diving into topics like government, international relations, and policy analysis, you might find it engaging. On the flip side, if you're not a fan of heavy reading or lengthy papers, it could feel a bit overwhelming at times. The program is well-respected, so you’ll have to keep up with your studies and stay on top of assignments. Overall, it’s not the easiest degree out there, but if you’re passionate about politics and actively participate, you’ll likely find it manageable and even rewarding!

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 Michigan tend to make good money?

Alright, so looking at these resumes from University of Michigan Political Science grads, it seems like they’ve had some pretty decent career paths, with a mix of gigs that likely come with a range of salaries. The folks who climbed the ranks at JLL and went on to hefty titles like Managing Director and Executive Managing Director presumably pulled in some serious cash, maybe even six figures. On the flip side, some earlier roles, like internships and entry-level positions, probably didn’t pay as much. Overall, while some have certainly made a good living, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows; salaries can vary widely based on the sector and position. So, it really looks like a mixed bag when it comes to how much dough these grads are making!

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 Michigan). 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