Arizona State University vs. George Washington University for political science: which is better?

George Washington University is the stronger pick for political science. Its biggest advantage is location: being in Washington, DC puts you close to Congress, federal agencies, think tanks, advocacy groups, and political nonprofits in a way Arizona State simply cannot match. For a student who wants politics tied to internships, policy work, and day-to-day exposure to government, GW has a real edge.

That location matters because political science is one of the fields where access often shapes experience. At GW, it is much easier to build a semester around classes plus internships during the academic year, not just over the summer. Professors and guest speakers are also often directly connected to national policy and government work, which can make the academic side feel more plugged into current events and public affairs.

Arizona State is still a solid option, especially if cost is meaningfully lower or if you want a large university with lots of flexibility and resources. ASU has strong faculty, a broad campus ecosystem, and good opportunities in state and local politics, especially through Phoenix and the broader Arizona policy environment. But when the question is which school is more advantageous specifically for political science and related opportunities, GW comes out ahead because the academic reputation, professional access, and internship pipeline are more directly aligned with the field.