Is University of San Diego a good school for a political science major?

Yes, the University of San Diego is a solid choice for political science, especially if you are interested in law, public policy, or government. USD’s political science department is well established within a strong liberal arts setting, and the school’s location in San Diego gives students access to internships with government offices, courts, nonprofits, and policy organizations. It is not usually seen as a nationally dominant political science powerhouse, but it is absolutely a serious academic option with good practical pathways.

For pre-law students, USD is particularly credible because of its School of Law and the opportunities that come from being on or near a campus with legal resources, speakers, and related programming. Political science students can benefit from faculty mentoring, writing-heavy coursework, and classes in areas like American politics, international relations, political theory, and public law, which are all useful preparation for law school or policy work.

If your goal is government or public policy, the biggest advantage is often experiential rather than just prestige. San Diego offers access to city and county government, border-policy issues, military and international affairs connections, and nonprofit advocacy work. That can make it easier to build a resume with internships during the school year, which matters a lot for these fields.

USD political science is strongest for students who want a personalized undergraduate experience, strong advising, and real-world opportunities alongside academics. If you are looking for a huge research university feel or a department with major national name recognition in political science specifically, USD may feel more modest, but for pre-law and policy-oriented students it can be a very good fit.