San Diego State vs American University for political science: which is the better choice for an undergraduate polisci major?

For political science specifically, American University usually offers the more directly aligned undergraduate experience. Its location in Washington, DC gives students unusually easy access to internships on Capitol Hill, at think tanks, advocacy groups, federal agencies, and political nonprofits during the academic year, not just in the summer. American is also especially known for politics, public affairs, and policy-oriented study, so political science students are surrounded by a campus culture where government and public service are central.

American makes the most sense for a student who wants politics to shape daily college life. If you want professors and classmates deeply plugged into DC institutions, frequent guest speakers tied to current policy debates, and the chance to build a resume semester by semester while classes are in session, that environment is hard to beat. For someone considering law school, public policy, campaigns, international affairs, or government work, American has a very natural pipeline.

San Diego State can still be a solid choice, especially for a student who wants a larger public university setting and a broader college experience beyond politics. You can absolutely study political science seriously there, and being in California can be valuable if your interests lean toward state and local government, public administration, border policy, or regional politics. SDSU may also appeal more if cost is significantly lower, since avoiding heavy debt matters a lot for fields like government and law.

The main tradeoff is that SDSU does not offer the same day-to-day immersion in national politics that American does. You may need to be more proactive in seeking internships and building political networks, whereas at American those opportunities are much more woven into the student experience.

So if the question is which school is stronger for an undergraduate political science major in a broad academic-and-opportunity sense, American has the clearer edge. SDSU becomes especially compelling when price, preferred campus style, or a California-focused path matters more than being embedded in DC.