Is Brown or Columbia better for getting internships in New York City?

For internships in New York City during the academic year, Columbia has the clear practical advantage. Its Manhattan location makes it possible to commute to internships in media, finance, publishing, startups, nonprofits, and other industries without leaving campus or interrupting a semester. Columbia students can build relationships through coffee chats, employer events, and short-term roles more easily because the city is part of their everyday environment.

That proximity matters especially in fields where many opportunities arise on short notice or require regular in-person attendance. A Columbia student can realistically take a part-time internship during the fall or spring, attend an evening networking event downtown, or meet alumni working in the city.

Brown can still lead to excellent NYC internships, particularly over the summer, and its open curriculum can give students room to explore media, economics, entrepreneurship, or interdisciplinary interests. Providence is also within reach of New York, but it is not convenient enough for the same routine, week-to-week internship access. At Brown, most NYC opportunities will be summer-based, remote, or require a deliberate trip into the city rather than fitting naturally into a normal class schedule.