UConn vs American University for international relations: which is better for a student interested in IR?

American University is the stronger pick for international relations. Its School of International Service is one of the university’s signature schools, and AU’s location in Washington, DC creates day-to-day access to internships, policy events, embassies, think tanks, NGOs, and federal agencies that directly connect to IR study. For a student who wants an environment centered on global affairs, AU is much more immersed in that world.

The biggest differentiator is the academic ecosystem. At American, IR is not just one good option among many majors. It is a central part of the university’s identity, so you’re more likely to find classmates, faculty, events, and campus organizations all heavily oriented toward diplomacy, development, international policy, and global justice. That concentration matters because it shapes both classroom discussion and networking.

The second differentiator is access to relevant experience during the school year. Being in DC makes it easier to build internships and professional connections without waiting for summer. For IR, that is a real advantage because the field often values applied experience, and AU students can plug into that ecosystem early and often.

UConn is a solid university with respectable international studies and political science options, and it may be more appealing if you want a bigger public flagship atmosphere or lower cost, especially in-state. But in terms of overall reputation and environment specifically for international relations, American has the clearer edge.