Which is better for internships in DC: Howard University or George Washington University?

For DC internships specifically, George Washington usually has the more built-in setup. Its Foggy Bottom location puts you within walking distance or a short Metro ride of federal agencies, nonprofits, think tanks, media offices, and advocacy groups, and GW has long leaned into that as part of the student experience. It is very common for students there to take internships during the semester because the campus is woven directly into the part of DC where many of those offices are concentrated.

GW tends to fit the student who wants internships to feel almost embedded in college life from the start. If you are interested in politics, international affairs, public policy, journalism, government, or nonprofit work, the school’s location and culture make it easier to build a weekly routine around classes plus part-time work downtown. The alumni and employer presence in those fields is also especially visible, which helps with networking and finding semester-time roles.

Howard is absolutely a real DC internship school too, especially for students who want strong access to government, health, law, media, social justice, and Black professional networks in the city. Howard’s reputation, alumni base, and proximity to DC opportunities can open serious doors, and many students do intern during the academic year. For some students, Howard’s community and network are a major advantage, not just socially but professionally, especially in spaces where that alumni connection carries weight.

Howard may be the more compelling choice for the student who wants internship access plus a distinctly mission-driven campus environment and a powerful HBCU network. GW may feel more convenient day to day for semester internships because of where it sits and how strongly its academic culture is tied to off-campus professional work. So if your question is strictly who has the stronger infrastructure for balancing school-year internships in DC, the edge goes to George Washington, while Howard remains a strong option if you value its community and network enough to make that the bigger factor.