Which is better for internships, Boston University or the University of Richmond?

For sheer volume and variety of internships, Boston University has the edge. Being in Boston gives BU students access to a huge year-round job market in healthcare, biotech, finance, media, nonprofits, government, and tech, and students can intern during the semester without leaving campus life behind. BU also has a strong culture of students working professionally while enrolled, which matters if you want frequent access to employers and not just summer options.

BU makes the most sense for a student who wants an urban campus with lots of nearby employers and is comfortable taking initiative in a large university setting. If you are the kind of person who wants to network often, apply broadly, and use the city itself as part of your college experience, BU offers more raw internship opportunity.

Richmond is appealing for a different kind of student. If you want closer faculty relationships, more individualized advising, and a smaller undergraduate environment where it may be easier to get personal support in your search, Richmond can be very effective. The city of Richmond has internship options in government, finance, law, nonprofits, and healthcare, and the university is known for strong career support and funding programs that help students pursue unpaid or lower-paid opportunities.

That said, the surrounding market is smaller than Boston’s, so Richmond usually wins more on mentorship and support than on the sheer number of nearby openings. For a student who wants structured guidance and a tight-knit campus where professors and advisers may know you well, Richmond can translate into strong outcomes.

If internships are one of your top priorities and you care most about access, frequency, and industry range, BU is likely the stronger choice. If you care just as much about hands-on support and a smaller community that helps you secure opportunities strategically, Richmond can still be an excellent option.