William & Mary vs Tufts for international relations: which is better for an IR major?

Tufts has the edge for international relations, especially if you want the most developed IR ecosystem at the undergraduate level. Its international relations program is one of the school’s signature strengths, it is closely tied to a campus culture that leans heavily global and policy-oriented, and its location near Boston gives it a broader set of nearby academic and professional connections. For a student who is serious about IR specifically, that concentration of resources matters.

One big differentiator is the structure and visibility of the IR program itself. At Tufts, international relations is not just a solid major tucked inside a broader political science department culture. It is one of the areas the university is especially known for, with strong overlap across political science, economics, history, languages, and regional studies. That usually creates more classmates who are deeply invested in global affairs, more specialized course options, and a stronger day-to-day academic identity around IR.

Another difference is the surrounding environment. Tufts benefits from being in the Boston area, where students have access to a dense network of universities, research centers, nonprofits, and policy organizations. Even when internships are competitive, being near that kind of ecosystem can make semester-time involvement, guest speakers, and cross-campus opportunities more accessible. That is especially useful if you are thinking ahead to policy work, international NGOs, or graduate study.

William & Mary is still a very credible choice, particularly if you want a strong liberal arts setting with excellent teaching and a serious government department. It also has meaningful advantages through proximity to Washington-related opportunities and a long-standing reputation in public service. But for IR as a distinct field, Tufts feels more intentionally built around it, and that usually translates into a richer academic environment for someone who wants international relations to be the center of their college experience.