University of Pittsburgh vs. Drexel: Which offers better access to internships?

Drexel offers more direct, built-in access to internships for most students because its cooperative education program is a central part of the undergraduate experience.

A six-month co-op gives students enough time to take on substantive work, build relationships with supervisors, and sometimes receive a return offer. Drexel’s Philadelphia location also puts students near employers in health care, biotech, finance, technology, media, design, government, and nonprofit work.

Pitt provides solid internship access, particularly in Pittsburgh’s major sectors such as health care, research, engineering, technology, public service, and business. Its Career Center, academic departments, alumni network, and proximity to organizations such as UPMC can be especially valuable for students pursuing medicine, public health, life sciences, or research-oriented paths. However, internships at Pitt are typically pursued during summers or part-time during the academic year; they are not as universally embedded in the curriculum as Drexel co-ops.

For a student whose top priority is graduating with multiple substantial workplace experiences and a highly organized recruiting process, Drexel has the clearer advantage. Pitt can be equally compelling when the student is specifically drawn to Pittsburgh’s health and research ecosystem and is prepared to take a more self-directed approach to securing internships.