Which offers better internship opportunities for undergraduates: UMD or Boston University?

Boston University has the edge for students seeking internships during the academic year in industries concentrated in Boston, especially biotech, health care, finance, consulting, media, startups, and nonprofits. Its urban campus and public-transit access make it practical to reach employers without a car, and many students build part-time internships into a semester. BU’s Center for Career Development, school-specific career offices, career fairs, and alumni network support that process.

The University of Maryland is particularly compelling for students drawn to government, public policy, cybersecurity, defense, engineering, data science, research, and federal contracting. College Park’s location near Washington, D.C., plus access to the broader Maryland-Virginia technology and government corridor, puts agencies, congressional offices, labs, nonprofits, and major contractors within reach. UMD’s Career Center, Handshake postings, employer events, and connections through departments such as engineering, computer science, business, and public policy are meaningful advantages in those fields.

For a student who wants an internship search centered on Boston’s private-sector and hospital-heavy economy, BU offers more immediate day-to-day proximity to potential employers. The city itself functions as an extension of campus, which can make informational interviews, networking events, and semester roles easier to fit around classes.

For someone who can picture working around federal institutions or the D.C. technology ecosystem, UMD may provide more targeted access than BU. It can be especially valuable for students interested in internships that require familiarity with government work, policy, security, or research. In either case, the student who starts early, uses faculty and alumni contacts, and pursues opportunities beyond posted openings will get far more from the school’s location than someone relying only on career-center listings.