Howard vs Drexel for co-op opportunities: how do they compare in availability and quality?

Drexel has the clearer edge for co-op opportunities. Its co-op system is one of the most established parts of the undergraduate experience, with built-in academic calendars designed around full-time placements, a large employer network in Philadelphia and beyond, and a campus culture where co-op is routine rather than optional. In practice, that usually means more structure, more volume, and more employer familiarity with Drexel students.

The biggest difference is availability. At Drexel, co-op is deeply integrated into many students’ degree plans, and the Steinbright Career Development Center exists specifically to support that process with postings, advising, interview prep, and employer relationships. Students are not just encouraged to get experience; the university has a long-standing system for placing them into it. Howard offers internships, career services, and strong professional pipelines, especially in government, public policy, media, health, and organizations connected to Washington, DC, but it is not known for co-op in the same fully built-out way.

Quality of placements also tends to favor Drexel because employers often recruit there expecting co-op students and designing roles around them. That can lead to more substantive work, since companies know they are bringing in students for a longer stretch than a typical summer intern. Drexel’s location also helps, especially for business, engineering, tech, health-related fields, and applied sciences where the Philadelphia market provides a steady stream of opportunities.

Howard’s advantage is more about network and mission-driven access than formal co-op scale. Being in DC creates strong openings in federal agencies, nonprofits, advocacy spaces, communications, and healthcare, and Howard’s alumni network is a real asset. But if your main question is which school makes it easier to secure meaningful co-op-style work through a well-established system, Drexel is the more dependable option.