Tulane vs Georgetown for political science: which is better for an undergraduate political science major?

Georgetown is the stronger choice for undergraduate political science. Its location in Washington, DC gives you unmatched day-to-day access to Congress, think tanks, federal agencies, embassies, and policy nonprofits, and the political science program is one of the university’s best-known academic strengths. For internships during the school year, networking with alumni in politics and policy, and building a resume before grad school, Georgetown has a real advantage.

The biggest differentiator is proximity to the political world itself. At Georgetown, internships are not something you mostly save for summers. Many students work in policy, government, campaigns, or international affairs during the semester because the opportunities are right there. That matters for political science because the field often becomes much more concrete when you can connect classes on institutions, theory, or international relations to actual work in DC.

A second difference is the academic ecosystem around politics. Georgetown has especially deep offerings tied to government, political theory, international relations, public policy, and regional studies, and you are surrounded by students aiming at similar careers. That creates a stronger campus culture around politics, speakers, public events, and policy conversations outside class. For someone who wants to be immersed in that environment, Georgetown tends to deliver more consistently.

Tulane is still a credible option, especially if you value a somewhat different college experience and want to study politics through an urban, civic-engagement lens. New Orleans gives Tulane students access to local government, nonprofits, and community-based work, and Tulane’s emphasis on service learning can pair well with political science. But those opportunities are more regionally focused and usually less direct for federal politics, national policy, or international affairs.

For grad school preparation, both can get you there, but Georgetown makes it easier to assemble the combination that admissions committees like to see: serious coursework, faculty connections, research, and substantial internship experience during the academic year, not just over the summer.