Which is better for internships in Washington, DC: Penn State or American University?

American University has the clearer edge for Washington, DC internships. It is located in DC, its academic culture is heavily tied to policy, government, international affairs, communications, and advocacy, and many students intern during the semester because commuting to offices is realistic. That setup makes networking, part-time internships, and relationship-building in the city much easier to sustain over time.

American tends to fit students who want DC to be part of their weekly routine, not just a summer destination. If you can see yourself interning on Capitol Hill, at a nonprofit, think tank, media outlet, embassy, or federal agency while classes are in session, American is built for that rhythm. Its location matters a lot because internships often turn into repeat work, referrals, and stronger local connections when you can show up consistently during the semester.

Penn State makes more sense for a student who wants a bigger traditional campus experience and is comfortable treating DC internships as something pursued more strategically rather than more casually. Penn State has a large alumni network, strong school spirit, and solid career resources, so students absolutely do land internships in DC. But you will usually need to be more intentional about getting there through summer internships, specific programs, networking trips, or alumni outreach rather than simply being in the city already.

If your main priority is access to DC opportunities during the school year, American is the more direct option. If your priority is the broader Penn State experience and you are willing to work harder to create a DC path, Penn State can still get you there, but the built-in setup is not as convenient.