Tulane vs NYU for a communications major: which is better for internships and career opportunities?

The biggest practical tradeoff is location and day-to-day industry access. NYU gives you much more immediate proximity to media, PR, advertising, publishing, entertainment, and corporate communications in New York City, which usually translates into more semester-time internships and easier networking during the school year. Tulane can still lead to strong outcomes, but its biggest advantages are a more traditional campus experience and a strong alumni culture rather than constant access to the country’s largest communications market.

For communications specifically, NYU has the clearer edge for internships. Being in New York means students can intern during fall or spring with agencies, media companies, nonprofits, startups, and major brands without needing to wait for summer. That matters because repeated part-time internships often build a stronger resume than just one summer role, and NYU students can stack those experiences more easily.

Tulane does offer solid professional development, especially through alumni connections and its emphasis on public service and applied learning. New Orleans has opportunities in marketing, public relations, local media, arts organizations, hospitality, and nonprofit communications, but the market is smaller and less dense than NYC. In practice, that usually means you may need to be more intentional about seeking summer internships in other cities if you want broader media or PR exposure.

For networking, NYU benefits from sheer volume and proximity. Alumni events, guest speakers, employer panels, and informal industry connections tend to be easier to access when so many communications-related employers are nearby. Tulane’s network is loyal and often very supportive, but it is not tied to the same concentration of communications employers right outside campus.

On career opportunities after graduation, NYU is likely to make the path smoother if your target is media, PR, advertising, entertainment, or brand communications. Tulane is still a credible option, especially if you value campus life more and are comfortable building internships strategically, but for the specific goal of maximizing internship access and communications-related career momentum, NYU comes out ahead.