My daughter did the U of SC Honors College DC semester and it was pretty nice - 12 kids living a few blocks from Capital Hill, sharing a home, with other colleges in nearby houses) - I think 10 from U of SC, 1 from C of C (mine) and one from Lander (another SC public). All the SC public honors colleges go through U of SC. Penn State also has a program as do most schools. U of SC doesn’t get you an internship (but I think they will place you with an SC politician if you don’t find one on your own…but finding one wasn’t a problem).
It’s a poli sci degree - so it’ll be fine both places but being in the state capital may have an advantage (but not necessarily).
One campus is gigantic and not in a city. The other is much more compact and in a city - so there are enough differences - in addition to money - to help you decide.
Best of luck.
PS - I know the PSU DC program is housed in communications but it looks like is open to all majors - I’d contact to validate. I believe the U of SC one is only for Honors students across the state - but again you can check. I just point that out in case your student is not in Honors - I’d verify they can participate - if that’s a driving factor in choosing which to attend.
Penn State Washington Program / Bellisario College of Communications (psu.edu)