Is Tufts or George Washington University better for finding internships?

For students seeking semester-long internships in government, public policy, international affairs, political communication, nonprofits, or advocacy, George Washington University has a meaningful location advantage. Its Foggy Bottom campus is in central Washington, D.C., within easy access of federal agencies, Capitol Hill offices, think tanks, embassies, international organizations, and major nonprofit headquarters. That proximity makes it more realistic to build an internship into a regular academic-week schedule rather than limiting experience to summers.

GW’s career services and school-specific advising can help students identify D.C. opportunities, while its alumni network is particularly useful in fields with a strong Washington presence. Students still need to apply early and network actively, but many employers recruit with GW students in mind because the campus is embedded in the city’s professional ecosystem. For a student who wants internships to be a central, ongoing part of college, GW can be especially practical.

Tufts is a strong fit for students whose interests align more closely with the Boston-area economy or who want a broader academic environment before specializing professionally. From Medford, students can pursue opportunities in Boston’s healthcare, biotech, research, education, startups, finance, and nonprofit sectors, as well as at nearby universities and hospitals. Tufts also has notable pathways in international relations and public service through its academic programs and alumni community, though many D.C.-focused students may pursue those internships during summers or through dedicated programs rather than commuting there weekly.

Tufts Career Center resources, alumni outreach, faculty connections, and experiential programs can be valuable, particularly for students willing to search across Greater Boston and use summers strategically. The main distinction is not whether Tufts students get internships, because they do, but whether the local opportunities match your target field. A student aiming for policy or federal work may find GW’s day-to-day access hard to replicate; a student drawn to research, health, technology, or the Boston innovation ecosystem may find Tufts equally compelling.