Which school has better internship opportunities: American University or George Washington University?

The biggest practical difference is that GW is more embedded in downtown D.C., while American is farther out in Tenleytown, and that affects how seamlessly internships fit into your week. GW students are closer to federal agencies, nonprofits, think tanks, hospitals, media outlets, and international organizations, so the day-to-day logistics of commuting to internships are often easier. American still offers strong access to D.C. opportunities, but GW usually has the edge in sheer proximity and the density of employers right around campus.

In terms of network, GW tends to have a broader built-in internship culture across majors because of its location and the number of students interning during the semester. That is especially noticeable in politics, international affairs, public policy, public health, media, and government-related fields. American is also very well connected, particularly through its School of International Service and Washington-focused programs, but the overall impression is that GW has a slightly deeper bench of internship pathways across more sectors.

At GW, it is very common for students to structure classes around part-time internships during the semester, and employers are used to hiring GW undergrads. At American, students absolutely do this too, but it can take a bit more planning because getting downtown regularly is less effortless.

If internship access is one of your top decision drivers, GW has the stronger advantage. American is still a solid choice for D.C. internships and can work very well, especially for students drawn to international affairs or a more traditional campus feel, but for easier semester-to-semester access and a stronger overall internship ecosystem, GW comes out ahead.