Is Penn State or American University better for a career in government?

The biggest practical tradeoff is location: American University places you in Washington, D.C., where semester-time internships, agency events, policy speakers, and informational interviews are far easier to build into your college routine. Penn State offers a larger traditional campus experience and broad alumni reach, but most federal-government networking requires more deliberate travel or participation in its Washington-based programs.

For policy or public-affairs work, American has a particularly direct ecosystem. Its School of Public Affairs and School of International Service connect students with D.C. organizations, and students can pursue internships with federal agencies, congressional offices, think tanks, advocacy groups, and public-affairs firms while classes are in session. That proximity matters because repeated part-time experience and relationships can lead to stronger references and post-graduation opportunities.

Penn State can still prepare someone very well for government, especially through political science, public policy-related coursework, its Washington Program, and internships pursued over summers or during a semester in D.C. Its size also means substantial course options, student organizations, and an extensive alumni network. It may be more appealing if you want the resources and campus life of a major public university while keeping government as one of several possible career directions.