How do the University of Maryland and Howard University compare for political science?

For broad political science academics and public-policy preparation, the University of Maryland, College Park has the edge; Howard is especially compelling for students who want an HBCU environment and a politics education centered on Black political thought, civil rights, and Washington leadership. Maryland’s Government and Politics department is larger and is closely connected to the university’s School of Public Policy, creating more room to combine political science with policy analysis, economics, international relations, or data-oriented coursework.

Maryland also benefits from its location near Washington, D.C., while offering the resources of a large flagship research university. Students can pursue federal-agency, congressional, advocacy, and think-tank internships, and the university’s policy school expands access to policy-focused courses, research centers, and faculty.

Howard’s location in D.C. is a more immediate day-to-day advantage: students are in the city itself, with proximity to Capitol Hill, national civil-rights organizations, embassies, and political events. Its political science program has particular intellectual depth in African American politics, the African diaspora, race and public policy, and social justice. Howard’s alumni community is also unusually influential in government, law, public service, and civic leadership, and its HBCU setting can provide a strong sense of community and professional mentorship.

For law school preparation, neither school automatically creates an advantage in admissions. Strong grades, rigorous writing and research experiences, faculty recommendations, and LSAT performance will matter far more. Maryland may provide more course and research breadth, while Howard may offer a more distinctive network and perspective for a student whose interests align with its mission and strengths.