Should I choose University of Delaware or George Washington University for political science?

The biggest practical tradeoff is location versus cost and campus feel. George Washington puts you in downtown Washington, DC, which is hard to beat for political science internships, guest speakers, policy networking, and semester-time access to government and advocacy work. University of Delaware usually offers a more traditional campus environment and is often the more affordable option, while still giving strong academics and access to internships through its proximity to DC, Philadelphia, and Dover.

For political science specifically, GW has the clearer built-in advantage because the city is part of the education. Students can pursue internships during the school year much more easily, and that matters in politics because experience, references, and timing often shape post-grad options. The Elliott School gets a lot of attention for international affairs, but even for political science more broadly, GW benefits from constant exposure to public policy, campaigns, nonprofits, think tanks, and federal institutions.

Delaware is a solid choice academically, and one real plus is that undergraduates may find it easier to stand out, build faculty relationships, and access campus leadership roles without competing in quite the same environment as DC. If you want a more classic college experience with Big campus energy and easier community-building, Delaware can be appealing. For some students, that setting actually supports stronger long-term outcomes because they have more room to explore and lead.

If your priority is maximizing political science opportunities during the academic year and being immersed in the world of politics, I would lean toward George Washington. If cost is meaningfully lower at Delaware or you know you want a more traditional campus life, Delaware is the smarter pick. Between the two for this major alone, GW has the stronger edge.