Should I choose UGA or American University for political science?

American University is especially well suited to a student who wants politics to be part of daily life and expects to pursue internships during the academic year. Its Washington, D.C., location puts students near Congress, federal agencies, advocacy organizations, think tanks, campaigns, and international institutions, and the School of Public Affairs is built around that access. For a political science student who learns best by connecting coursework to policy work, AU can make networking, guest speakers, and part-time internships unusually accessible.

AU also fits someone comfortable with an urban campus and a student body that tends to be highly engaged in public affairs. The academic environment can feel professionally oriented from the start, which is valuable for students aiming toward policy, government, advocacy, public service, or political communications. The tradeoff is that D.C. can be distracting and expensive, and students need to be proactive about balancing internships with classes.

UGA may be the more appealing choice for a student seeking a traditional, large-university experience while still studying politics seriously. Its School of Public and International Affairs offers political science within a broad research university, and Athens provides a classic residential college setting with a strong campus community. UGA students can explore state and local politics, including opportunities connected to Georgia’s state government in Atlanta, while benefiting from the resources, organizations, and alumni network of a major public university.

Choose UGA when you want political science alongside a fuller large-campus experience, especially if the in-state cost advantage is substantial or you are interested in Georgia and Southern politics. Choose American when direct, routine access to national political institutions and academic-year internships is central to your college plan.