Johns Hopkins vs. University of Maryland: Which Is Better for Government Internships?

The biggest practical difference is location and routine access: Maryland’s College Park campus is much closer to Washington by Metro, making it easier to hold a part-time internship at a federal agency, congressional office, nonprofit, or advocacy organization during a regular semester. Johns Hopkins is in Baltimore, so D.C. internships are still realistic but typically require a longer commute, more careful scheduling, or a summer/semester-away plan.

UMD also has a dedicated School of Public Policy and a large Washington-area alumni base across federal, state, and local government. Its proximity to Annapolis adds another useful option for students interested in Maryland government, legislative work, or public administration. For a student who wants to build internship experience steadily from first or second year onward, that convenience can matter more than a school’s name alone.

Johns Hopkins offers strong pathways for policy-minded students, particularly through political science, international studies, research centers, and the university’s substantial presence in Washington. Its Washington, D.C. facilities and graduate policy programs can broaden the institutional network, and Hopkins may be especially appealing for interests connected to foreign policy, public health policy, data-driven policy research, or national security. Still, undergraduates should not assume that these resources automatically translate into easier day-to-day D.C. access than College Park provides.