Which is better for political science, University of San Diego or George Washington University?

George Washington University is the stronger option overall for political science. Its location in Washington, D.C. gives students unusually direct access to Congress, federal agencies, think tanks, advocacy groups, and international organizations, and that shows up in the school’s academic culture, internship pipeline, and course offerings tied to public affairs. For a student already thinking about internships or graduate school, GW has the clearer built-in advantage.

The biggest differentiator is proximity to the center of U.S. politics. At GW, political science students can realistically intern during the semester in places that directly connect to their coursework, which is much harder to replicate from San Diego. That kind of access matters not just for experience, but also for networking, recommendations, and figuring out whether you want law, public policy, international affairs, or campaign work.

A second difference is academic ecosystem. GW is especially well known for politics, public policy, and international affairs, so political science students benefit from being surrounded by classmates, faculty, events, speakers, and cross-disciplinary opportunities in those areas. If you want a campus where politics is a central part of the institution’s identity rather than one strong major among many, GW stands out more clearly.

For graduate school preparation, GW also tends to offer more direct exposure to research, policy work, and professional mentorship connected to the field. University of San Diego can still be a good choice, especially if you want smaller classes and a more contained campus environment. But in terms of political science strength specifically, plus internship access and downstream preparation for grad school, GW has the edge.