Which offers better access to Washington, DC: William & Mary or the University of Maryland?

The University of Maryland offers far more practical access to Washington, DC. Its College Park campus sits just outside the District, and the College Park–University of Maryland Metro station connects students to downtown DC on the Green Line.

That proximity makes UMD much more workable for recurring internships during the academic year. Students can commute to internships, networking events, speakers, and cultural activities without arranging overnight stays or losing most of a day to travel. Campus transit helps connect the university to Metro, although the station is not in the middle of every part of campus.

Amtrak offers service from Williamsburg to Union Station, and driving is possible, but either option is better suited to occasional weekend trips, conferences, or interviews than to a regular weekly internship commute. Train schedules, travel time, and the need to get from Union Station to a workplace add substantial logistical friction.

William & Mary can still provide access to DC through university programs, alumni connections, and occasional travel, but UMD’s location makes the city part of students’ normal orbit rather than a destination that requires advance planning.