How do I decide between Michigan State and American University for international relations?

For international relations specifically, American University is the more compelling choice when the cost difference is manageable. Its School of International Service is built around international affairs, and Washington, D.C. places students near embassies, federal agencies, policy organizations, and international nonprofits.

American’s campus is comparatively small and urban, so the academic and professional focus can feel concentrated. Students interested in diplomacy, global development, human rights, foreign policy, or international organizations will find a large peer community pursuing related work. The D.C. setting also means that internships may fit alongside classes, though students need to be proactive about balancing them.

Michigan State offers a distinctly different experience: a much larger Big Ten campus in East Lansing, extensive research resources, and a broad social and extracurricular environment.

Michigan State can be especially attractive if you want the energy of a large university, a traditional campus community, and room to combine IR with languages, regional studies, economics, or other fields. But American has the clearer built-in advantage for an undergraduate seeking frequent access to policy-facing internships and an IR-centered academic environment. Compare each financial aid package carefully, since substantial additional debt can outweigh the location advantage.