Is USC or American University better for international relations?

For international relations specifically, American University usually has the clearer edge in academic focus and professional reputation. Its School of International Service is one of the most established IR schools in the country, the curriculum is built around global affairs, and Washington, D.C. gives students direct access to embassies, think tanks, NGOs, and federal internships during the school year.

American tends to fit the student who wants international relations to be the center of their college experience, not just one strong option among many. If you can see yourself taking policy-heavy classes, interning in D.C. during the semester, following diplomacy and global affairs closely, and building a network in government or nonprofit spaces early, AU is very well positioned for that. The location matters a lot here because IR students can turn class interests into ongoing part-time internships and professional contacts without waiting for summer.

USC makes more sense for the student who wants international relations inside a broader university environment with especially strong resources in business, communications, film, tech, and entrepreneurship. USC absolutely offers solid global affairs study and has strong overall name recognition, but it is not as singularly identified with international relations as American is. In Los Angeles, the international dimension is more tied to global business, media, Pacific Rim connections, and a large international city rather than the policy-and-diplomacy ecosystem that defines D.C.

So if your question is which school is more known for international relations itself, that is American University. If your question is which school has the bigger overall brand across many fields, USC has that broader national profile, but for IR applicants and employers in policy-oriented circles, American’s specialization carries real weight.