Is Northwestern or Fordham better for New York internships?

Fordham has the clearer edge for New York internships during college. Its campuses place you in the city itself, so students can intern during the semester more easily, build local professional relationships over multiple years, and take advantage of alumni and employer ties that are concentrated in New York industries. That proximity matters a lot when internships involve part-time, in-person work during the school week.

Northwestern is a more nationally recognized school overall, and that can help with prestige-driven recruiting and post-grad mobility. But for actually getting into New York offices while you are still an undergrad, Fordham’s location makes the process much more practical. You can attend networking events, commute to internships, and stay visible to employers without needing to spend every opportunity on summer breaks.

Another real difference is how employers engage with each campus. Fordham students are already in the market where many finance, media, nonprofit, legal, and business internships happen, so informal networking and repeat exposure are easier. A student who interns in Manhattan during sophomore spring can often turn that into another role junior fall or a full-time lead later.

Northwestern can still open New York doors, especially in fields like consulting, finance, media, and journalism, and its alumni network is strong. But those connections often require more intentional travel, summer planning, or recruiting from outside the city during the academic year. For internships specifically, Fordham is the more advantageous setup.