George Washington University vs American University for internship opportunities: which is better?

For internship access during the school year, George Washington usually has the edge. Its Foggy Bottom location puts you right near downtown D.C., federal agencies, nonprofits, think tanks, law firms, and international organizations, which makes part-time internships during the semester especially convenient. GW also has a long-established reputation for students mixing academics with internships while classes are in session.

GW tends to fit students who want D.C. to feel like an everyday extension of campus. Because it is so centrally located, it is easier to get to offices quickly by foot or Metro, and that matters when you are balancing a class schedule with internship hours a week. For politics, public policy, international affairs, media, and government-adjacent work, GW’s network is especially visible.

American is still a very strong option for internships, and plenty of students intern during the academic year. It often appeals more to students who want a more traditional campus feel while still being in D.C. AU has excellent ties in public affairs, international service, communications, and advocacy spaces, and its Washington Semester culture reflects a real commitment to experiential learning.

The difference is less about whether internships are possible at AU and more about ease and intensity. At GW, the city is more immediately around you, so internships can feel more built into weekly life. At AU, students still access D.C. opportunities regularly, but the campus is farther from the downtown core, so logistics can take a bit more planning.

If internship access is the top deciding factor by itself, GW is the stronger pick for most students. If you also care a lot about a contained residential campus and are fine with a slightly less seamless commute into the heart of D.C., American remains very competitive.