American University or Fordham for political science: which is better for internships and careers in government?

The biggest practical tradeoff is Washington access versus New York flexibility. For internships and careers tied directly to government, policy, and public service, American usually has the clearer advantage because it sits in DC and is deeply connected to federal agencies, think tanks, nonprofits, advocacy groups, and Capitol Hill. Fordham can still work well, especially for policy-adjacent paths, but its strongest day-to-day ecosystem is New York rather than the federal government world.

American is especially known for students interning during the semester because the city itself functions like an extension of campus. That matters a lot in political science, where repeated part-time internships during the school year can build a stronger resume than just one summer position. Its School of Public Affairs also gives American a more concentrated identity around government, public affairs, and policy careers.

Fordham offers real advantages too. In New York, you can access city and state government, public interest organizations, legal nonprofits, UN-related work, media, and politics connected to one of the country’s biggest municipal systems. If your interests lean toward urban policy, public service in New York, nonprofit leadership, or a path that blends politics with law, communications, or business, Fordham can position you well.

For federal government placement specifically, American has the more direct pipeline. Being in DC makes networking easier, lowers the friction of commuting to internships, and puts students around classmates and professors who are already oriented toward that world. That kind of environment often matters as much as the major itself.

If your main goal is internships and eventual work in government or policy, I’d lean American. Fordham is still a solid choice, but for political science with a strong federal public service focus, American is usually the more strategically aligned option.