Should I choose the University of Delaware or George Mason University for political science?

The biggest practical tradeoff is location versus the more traditional campus experience. George Mason gives you direct access to the Washington, DC area, which matters a lot for political science because internships, policy work, think tanks, federal agencies, and campaign opportunities are much closer. Delaware tends to offer a more classic residential college environment, and its political science department is solid, but it does not have the same day-to-day proximity to the center of US politics.

For political science specifically, George Mason has a real advantage if internships and applied experience are high priorities. Being in Northern Virginia means you can pursue opportunities during the semester rather than only in the summer, and that can make a difference in building a resume early. Mason also has strong connections to public policy, government, international affairs, and research-adjacent work because of its location and surrounding professional network.

On the academic side, both schools can prepare you well for grad school if you do strong work, build relationships with faculty, and seek research experience. Delaware may feel more cohesive socially and residentially, which some students find helps them engage more deeply with professors and campus life. But for political science, the field itself is unusually tied to place, and Mason benefits from being near the institutions students often want to study or work in.

If your top priorities are internships, exposure to government and policy careers, and building experience during the school year, George Mason is the stronger pick for political science. If you care more about a traditional campus atmosphere and want a broader college-town feel while still studying politics well, Delaware is still a good option, but it is harder to match Mason’s location-based edge for this major.