Fordham vs. William & Mary for political science: which is the better choice?

William & Mary has the edge for political science. Its government department is one of the school’s signature strengths, the academics are especially strong in history, law, public policy, and political thought, and it has a long track record of sending students into top grad programs, law school, and public service. For a student who is serious about the discipline itself, not just nearby internships, William & Mary usually offers the deeper academic environment.

The biggest differentiator is the department. At William & Mary, government is a well-established core field with strong faculty attention, a serious undergraduate academic culture, and a curriculum that tends to feel more centered on theory, institutions, political behavior, and research. Students who want close faculty mentorship, writing-heavy classes, and a campus where intellectual engagement is part of daily life often find that especially appealing.

Fordham’s main advantage is New York City. If your idea of studying political science includes semester-long internships with city government, nonprofits, advocacy groups, media, or legal offices during the school year, Fordham gives you easier day-to-day access. That kind of proximity can matter a lot, especially if you want practical experience early and often rather than waiting for summers.

Campus culture also matters here. William & Mary tends to attract students who are very academically focused and comfortable in a more traditional college-town setting, while Fordham offers a more urban, less self-contained experience. For political science, that often translates into William & Mary feeling more seminar-driven and scholarly, and Fordham feeling more connected to external professional networks.

For grad school preparation, William & Mary stands out because of its academic reputation in the social sciences and the kind of close professor relationships that help with recommendations, research opportunities, and honors-level work. Fordham can absolutely lead to strong outcomes too, but for political science specifically, William & Mary is the more compelling pick unless New York-based internship access is the factor you value most.