Political Science at NIU
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science
Lawyers, politicians and other change-makers: Your future starts here.
Politics play a vital role in our society. Our economic and cultural structures are deeply intertwined with our legal and political institutions. To understand how these complex systems influence each other, consider majoring in political science. You'll explore timeless questions about democracy and justice as you investigate current issues of global concern.
If you have an associate degree, check out our online political science degree completion program.
I am majoring in political science with an emphasis in public law. I decided on this because of NIU’s amazing political science department, as well as the vast amount of occupations available after graduation if I decide not to pursue law school.
What Can I Do With a Political Science Degree From NIU?
Our program will give you an understanding of how the world works and the communication skills to explain it to others. You'll also develop your critical thinking and research abilities, preparing you for careers or graduate study in areas like business, journalism, education and law.
Top skills reported by alumni:
- Leadership
- Public speaking
- Research
- Strategic planning
- Training management
Top fields alumni work in:
- Education
- Finance
- Government
- Information technology
- Legal
Other Programs to Consider
Career Potential for NIU Political Science Majors
Average mid-career salary:
$96,665
Top employers include:
- Allstate
- Bank of America
- City of Chicago
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- U.S. House of Representatives
Job titles include:
- Attorney
- Owner
- Paralegal
- President
- Consultant
Source: Steppingblocks, 2023
What to Expect as a Political Science Major at NIU
Our program will give you a solid foundation for intellectual/personal growth and professional success. You'll learn about local/global government and public policies and many other topics. You can choose an emphasis to focus your studies:
- International politics
- Justice and democracy
- Politics and governance
- Public administration and service
- Public law
How We’ll Help You Succeed
Apply for free and we’ll automatically consider you for a renewable merit scholarship.
Earn your bachelor’s degree fast with our affordable tuition and fees. Any credit hours you take over 12 are free (per semester).
Prepare to thrive after graduation with personalized support from Career Services.
With our truth-in-tuition policy, you’ll get the same fixed tuition rate for four continuous years, whether you live in Illinois or another state.
Apply to NIU
First-year Students
(Freshman)
High School GPA
3.0 or higher?
You're guaranteed general NIU admission.
ACT/SAT SCORES
Not considered.
We think your high school GPA is a better predictor of your success.
Transfer Students
ALL COLLEGES GPA
2.0 or higher?
You're guaranteed general NIU admission.
ALL COLLEGES GPA
3.0 or higher?
You're guaranteed a
renewable merit scholarship.