Is Boston University or American University better for political science undergrad?

American University has the clearer edge for undergraduate political science. Its School of Public Affairs is one of the school’s signature strengths, the campus is embedded in Washington, DC, and the undergraduate experience is closely tied to politics, policy, government, and advocacy in a way that is hard to match. For a student focused mainly on political science itself, that combination usually creates more direct academic and professional traction.

The biggest differentiator is location in relation to the field. At American, internships during the semester are a normal part of student life because Capitol Hill, federal agencies, nonprofits, think tanks, embassies, and advocacy groups are right there. That matters not just for your resume, but for class discussions, networking, and how quickly political science starts to feel real rather than abstract. Boston University has access to solid internships in Boston, including state and local government and policy organizations, but it does not offer the same day-to-day proximity to national politics.

Program identity is another important difference. At American, political science and public affairs are central to the university’s reputation, so there is a stronger concentration of students, faculty, events, and institutional energy around those subjects. You are more likely to find a campus culture where lectures, student organizations, and career conversations consistently orbit politics and policy. BU has a respected political science department within a much broader university profile, and that can be appealing if you want more distance from a politically saturated environment.

For class quality, both schools can deliver strong teaching, but American tends to feel more intentionally built for undergraduates who want applied political science. Courses often connect more directly to contemporary institutions and policy work because faculty and adjuncts are drawing from DC-based experience. BU can offer excellent academics and a wider large-research-university setting, but for political science specifically, American is the place where the field is more central to the undergraduate experience.