How should I compare Boston College and American University for political science?

American University is the stronger choice for an undergraduate focused specifically on government and public policy. Its Washington, D.C., location gives political science students unusually direct access to federal agencies, Congress, advocacy organizations, think tanks, campaigns, and policy research, making it easier to connect coursework with internships during the academic year, not only over the summer.

American’s political science curriculum is also closely tied to applied policy fields such as public administration, justice and law, international relations, and political communication.

Boston College offers a rigorous political science major and may appeal more to someone seeking a traditional residential liberal-arts experience. Its Jesuit curriculum emphasizes ethics, philosophy, writing, and social responsibility, which can strengthen a political science education. Boston also provides access to Massachusetts politics, nonprofits, and legal or civic organizations, but it does not match Washington’s day-to-day density of national political opportunities.

For your stated interest in government and public policy, American’s specialized public-affairs ecosystem and built-in access to D.C. institutions give it the clearer edge.