Which is better for getting internships in Washington, DC: Virginia Tech or the University of Maryland?

The biggest practical difference is that Maryland students can realistically commute to DC internships during the academic year, while most Virginia Tech undergraduates in Blacksburg will need to pursue summer roles, remote work, or a temporary move to Northern Virginia. College Park is directly outside Washington and connected to the Metro system, which makes federal agencies, congressional offices, nonprofits, consulting firms, and DC-area employers far more accessible on a weekly basis. That proximity also makes it easier to attend employer events, interviews, and networking programs in person.

Maryland benefits from a large alumni presence throughout the DC metro area and from career resources built around the region’s government, policy, research, technology, and business employers. Students can combine a part-time internship with classes more readily, though they still need to plan schedules carefully around travel time. Its location is especially helpful for students interested in public policy, international affairs, public health, government contracting, communications, or federal research.

Virginia Tech has a strong alumni network and respected recruiting pipelines, particularly in engineering, computing, business, architecture, and government-related technology. But the undergraduate residential campus is in Blacksburg, several hours from DC, so access is less spontaneous and semester-long DC internships require more logistics. Virginia Tech students can still land excellent DC internships, especially for summers, but location does not make the process as convenient.