Is American University or the University of Maryland better for internships in the Washington, D.C. area?

For Washington, D.C. internships specifically, American University usually has the more built-in access. Its location in D.C. itself makes semester-long internships easier to fit into the school week, and the school is especially well connected in politics, public policy, international affairs, communications, and nonprofit work. If the kind of internship you want is on Capitol Hill, at a think tank, an advocacy group, an embassy, or with a media or policy organization, American often makes that path feel more natural.

American attracts a lot of students who want their college experience tied closely to the city. That matters because professors, classmates, and alumni often have direct D.C. professional ties, and many students intern during the academic year rather than only in the summer. For someone who wants frequent exposure to networking events, guest speakers, and internships woven into the semester, AU has a real advantage.

Maryland can still be excellent for internships, but it tends to make the most sense for a different kind of student. If you want a larger public university with broader academic depth, stronger options in areas like engineering, computer science, business, and some sciences, Maryland can open more doors overall, including in the D.C. region. Students there absolutely intern in D.C., but commuting from College Park and navigating a big campus can make the experience feel less seamless than at AU.

Maryland is especially appealing if your goals are not limited to policy-facing work. Its scale, research environment, and stronger presence in technical and corporate fields can be a major plus. So if by internships you mean the widest range across industries, Maryland may compete very well. If you mean easiest, most constant access to D.C.-based internships during the school year, American has the clearer edge.