Is UConn or George Washington better for political science?

For political science, George Washington usually has the bigger built-in advantage because of where it is and how the program connects to internships, policy work, and government-facing careers. Being in Washington, DC gives GW students unusually direct access to Capitol Hill, federal agencies, think tanks, NGOs, embassies, and political organizations during the school year, not just in the summer. If you want your college experience to be tightly tied to politics in practice, GW stands out.

GW tends to fit students who want politics to feel immediate and career-connected from the start. Its Elliott School also adds a strong international affairs and policy ecosystem around political science, which can be especially useful if your interests include foreign policy, public policy, or global politics. For graduate school preparation, that environment can help through research opportunities, faculty connections, and practical experience that strengthens applications.

UConn makes more sense for a student who wants a more traditional campus setting, a likely lower-cost public university option if you are in-state, and a solid political science education without the intensity or price tag that can come with DC. UConn’s political science department is well established, and it can prepare students for law school, public service, and graduate study, especially if you take initiative with research, honors work, and internships in Connecticut or over summers. It is a real university-town experience in Storrs, which appeals to students who want school spirit, a classic campus, and a less professionally saturated atmosphere.

For internship access specifically, GW has the clearer edge because students can work in political settings during the academic year while staying fully plugged into classes. That kind of proximity is hard to replicate from UConn. For pure academic credibility, both can get you to graduate school, but GW offers a more naturally integrated political science pipeline, while UConn depends more on how actively you build your own path.

If your priority is political science as a launchpad into internships, policy work, or Washington-centered careers, GW is the stronger option. If you want political science in a more traditional college environment and value affordability or campus life more heavily, UConn is very appealing.