Madison graduates go on to work in government, law, business, education, international affairs, public relations, intelligence, nonprofit organizations, and research. Within six months of graduation, the vast majority are employed or pursuing advanced degrees. You'll find JMC graduates at organizations like the U.S. Department of State and the Michigan House of Representatives, and at institutions including Georgetown, Columbia and the University of Michigan.
JMC's post-graduation placement rate tracks what alumni are up to six months after they graduate. Madison's placement rate consistently ranks in the 90th percentile. The college's Career Services team works with students beginning in their first year, complementing the close faculty mentorship, small class sizes and required field experience that define a Madison education.
Post-Graduation Outcomes
JMC's Career Services Assistant Director Karissa Chabot-Purchase collects post-graduation outcomes information about Madison graduates within six months of graduation, per reporting standards. Classes include graduates from the period commencing in fall term through the subsequent summer term (i.e., Class of 2025 includes Fall 2024 and Spring/Summer 2025 graduates).
Class of 2025 Knowledge Rate: 95% from connections with 220 of 232 graduates. The university’s average knowledge rate is around 73%.
Class of 2025 Career Outcomes:
- 57.7% of graduates are employed (full- or part-time)
- 32.7% are engaged in continuing education
- Of those continuing their education, 59% are pursuing Law (JD)
- 3.6% are involved in other outcomes that include the military or service organizations
Top post-graduation locations:
- Michigan
- Illinois
- Washington, DC
First Destination Career Outcomes (By Major)
A public affairs degree empowers our graduates to pursue a wide range of careers in a variety of fields.
Below are select first destination outcomes from the Class of 2025 and 2026 listed by major.
- Campaign Director, Michigan Association for Justice
- Campaign Manager, Michigan House Democratic Fund
- Communications Strategist, Bellwether Public Relations
- FOIA Assistant, Wayne County Airport Authority
- Fulbright Grantee, The Fulbright Program
- Fundraising Manager, Chedruck Greene for State Senate
- Grant Administrator, Migrant Legal Aid
- Legal Clerk, Ayad Law PLLC
- Legal Operations and Paralegal Specialist, Miriana Minerals
- Program Assistant, Andrew Carnegie Foundation
- Carrier Sales Representative, Capstone Logistics
- Court Clerk, Oakland County
- Digital Support and Conflicts Coordinator, Butzel Long
- Finance Assistant, Brink for Congress
- Foreign Affairs Specialist, U.S. Air Force
- HR Support Coordinator, Samaritan’s Purse
- Operations Supervisor, Neovia Logistics
- Trade and Customs Associate, KPMG US
- Unscripted Production Assistant, Purveyors of Pop/Bravo TV/NBCUniversal
- Word Processing Assistant, Michigan Department of Attorney General
- Analyst, MK Capital
- Assistant Government Affairs Consultant, McCall Hamilton Public Affairs
- Associate – Tax, Trade, and Customs, KPMG
- Communications Advisor, Michigan House of Representatives
- Court Clerk, Wayne County Probate Court
- Deputy Campaign Manager, Matt Hall for State Representative
- Legal Administration Assistant, Wilson Elser
- Lobbyist, The Frederick Group
- Pretrial Service Clerk, Ingham County Circuit Court
- Social Studies Teacher, Waterford Public Schools
- Administrative Assistant, Elias Law Group
- Associate Underwriter, Health Care Service Corporation
- English Language Assistant, Teaching Assistant Program in France
- Executive Publicist Assistant, Lede Company
- Government Affairs Associate, Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities
- Investigations Fellow, The New York Times
- Legal VA Case Manager, Disability Law Group
- Legislative Aide, Michigan Senate Democrats
- Mediation Program Assistant, Resolution Services Center of Central Michigan
- Technical Writer, Learning Cycle
Graduate & Law School
Of the Class of 2025, 32.7% of Madison graduates went on to pursue advanced degrees at some of the nation’s top institutions.
Below shows universities first in the order of those that are most attended by Class of 2025 graduates:
- Michigan State University
- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
- University of Detroit Mercy
- Wayne State University
- Loyola University Chicago
- Thomas M. Cooley Law School
- Columbia University
- Marquette University
- Georgetown University
- Vienna School for International Affairs
- 59% are pursuing Law (JD)
- 36.5% are earning their Master's degree
- 1.6% are pursuing an MBA
- 1.6% are earning a Doctorate (PhD)
- Law
- Public Policy
- International Relations
- Social Work
- Education
- Business Administration
- Urban & Regional Planning
- Anthropology
- Civil Engineering
Hear from JMC's Class of 2025
