<p>“I’m merely trying to objectively measure the value of a great program in a subpar political location to a good program on prime ground.”</p>
<p>That’s a valid question but like I said, research into the matter should clearly dismiss any doubt. Comparing GWU to Michigan for Political Science would be like comparing San Jose State University for Computer Science. San Jose state University has a respectable Computer Science program and is located on prime ground in the heart of Silicon Valley. But can it compete with the likes of Carnegie Mellon, Cornell or the UIUC in Computer Science? Definitely not. </p>
<p>Coolbrezze, GWU’s Economics and Political Science departments are solid but do not come close to Michigan’s. Beware of student-based surveys. According to virtually every major US-based ranking, Michigan’s Econ department is ranked around #10 in the US and Michigan’s Political Science department is ranked among the too 3 or 4 in the nation. GWU’s Economics department is seldom ranked among the top 50 in the nation and its Political Science department is usually ranked around #40 in the nation. Those are significant differences.</p>