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

First, some facts. Of the Political Science graduates from University of Washington 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? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 60%, Political Science graduates from University of Washington have a lower likelihood (-7%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 60%
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 30% 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 graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Political Science graduate from University of Washington 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 2014 from University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Maintenance Mechanic
Loram Maintenance of Way, Inc.
Apr 2014 - Jun 2014
The position of Maintenance Mechanic does not require any political science-specific skills or knowledge, making it unrelated to the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

Marketing Consultant
Nternet Candy, LLC
Aug 2014 - Present
As a Marketing Consultant, some skills related to political science, such as understanding social dynamics and communication strategies, may be indirectly applicable, but the core qualifications of the job are not rooted in political science.

ABOUT

As a marketing consultant at Nternet Candy, I have a very broad set of skills, including but not limited to; prospecting, project management, communications, data analysis, and client support. However, it is my eagerness to learn and desire to be the best which has set me apart in my field.At Nternet Candy my goal is to collaborate with our clients to create dynamic user experiences that help them better communicate, engage and transact with their customers.

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

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


When looking at the career paths of people who studied Political Science at the University of Washington, it's pretty evident that they land in a mixed bag of jobs. Many graduates end up in fields like law, advocacy, and public administration, which really align with their studies. For instance, roles like Legal Extern, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, and even Community Engagement Specialist directly tap into the political knowledge and analytical skills learned during their degree. This makes sense, as Political Science is all about understanding governments, laws, and societal dynamics, perfect for those kinds of careers.

On the flip side, a surprising number of graduates find themselves in positions that aren’t directly related to Political Science, like various administrative roles or product management in tech companies. While some of these jobs might require organizational skills or strategic thinking, they don't demand a deep understanding of political theories or systems. So, while there are definitely some grads out there utilizing their Political Science education in meaningful ways, plenty of others end up in roles where their degree isn’t directly applicable. Overall, it's a mixed bag—there are solid ties to the field for some, but others drift away from the core focus of 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 Washington):

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

Looking at the career paths of graduates from the Political Science program at the University of Washington, it seems like they dive into a mix of fields right after graduation, but many end up in roles that somehow relate to policy, law, or management over time. For instance, those who graduated around 2011 and 2012 took on various roles as an attorney or in legal support, really leveraging their degree in political science to build a career in the legal field. Fast forward a few years, and it’s clear that some have managed to climb the ranks, moving into managerial or specialized positions. On the flip side, we've got some graduates who initially started off in unrelated fields, like tech operations or marketing, before finding a more fitting niche later on.

If we look at where these graduates find themselves five to ten years after graduation, it's a mixed picture. Sure, there are plenty of success stories; quite a few landed positions that utilize their political science background, especially in roles within government, legal affairs, and community engagement. But then we also see a number of graduates in roles that don't seem to directly connect back to political science, like administrative positions or operational roles in companies. So while it's obvious that many do find ways to relate their work back to what they studied, others might find themselves on paths that aren't as closely aligned with their degree. Overall, it seems like there is potential for a solid career trajectory, but it really comes down to where they decide to steer their careers after graduation.

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

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at the University of Washington—or really anywhere—can be a mixed bag in terms of difficulty. It’s definitely not the easiest path out there, but it’s also not the hardest. You’ll dive into a lot of reading, writing papers, and discussions about theories and current events, which can be super interesting if you’re into politics and social issues. Some students find the workload manageable, especially if they stay organized and engaged, while others might struggle with the volume of content and critical analysis required. If you're passionate about the subject, it can be a fulfilling experience, but don’t underestimate the reading list and the need to think critically. So, it’s a solid challenge but definitely doable if you’re motivated!

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 Washington tend to make good money?

So, looking at the job paths of these University of Washington Political Science grads, it seems like they're generally doing alright in terms of making a decent living, but it varies quite a bit. For instance, the one who went from a Family Room Specialist at Apple to Director of Product Management at The Omni Group definitely seems to be raking it in, especially with that recent promotion; those higher-up tech jobs usually pay well. On the flip side, some of the others, like the recent grads working in administrative roles or paralegal positions, might not be seeing huge paychecks just yet, but they seem to be building experience in solid companies. Overall, while some are definitely stacking up the cash, others are probably more focused on gaining experience right now, which can pay off in the long run!

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 Washington). 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