Is the University of Maryland or American University better for political science?

For political science overall, the University of Maryland usually has the edge if you are looking for a larger, more established department with broader academic depth and strong research opportunities. American University stands out more for students who want a highly politics-centered campus culture and easy day-to-day access to internships in Washington, DC. Both can lead to government or policy careers, but they feel quite different in practice.

Maryland tends to fit students who want a traditional university experience with a big campus, more course variety, and the resources that come with a major public research institution. Its government and politics department is well regarded, and being in College Park still keeps you close enough to DC for internships, networking, and federal opportunities. For a student who wants strong academics in political science along with flexibility to explore related areas like economics, public policy, data analysis, or international affairs at scale, Maryland is often the more robust academic option.

American is especially appealing for students who want politics woven into everyday campus life. The school has a strong identity around public affairs, international relations, advocacy, and policy work, and many students are deeply plugged into internships during the semester. If you picture yourself wanting a smaller university environment where conversations about campaigns, nonprofits, diplomacy, and public service are constant, American can feel more immersive and professionally connected from the start.

For someone asking which is stronger for the major itself, Maryland gets the nod more often because of the department’s size, faculty breadth, and research-university strengths. American is more compelling when the priority is proximity to internships and a campus culture centered on politics rather than the academic department alone.