Top Colleges for Internship, Co-Op Programs

Travis Mitchell

Find Schools With a Focus on Career Preparation

For many students, a college education is all about preparing for the working world. While any determined student can get career training during college, some schools make it a priority to offer -- or even require -- internship or co-op programs.

These schools, listed alphabetically, were mentioned most often in a spring 2014 poll of college presidents, deans and academic officers. The list appears in the 2015 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings.

Belmont University (TN)

U.S. News rank: 5, Regional Universities (South)

Overview: Students at Belmont University have access to a number career and professional development resources through the school's website, including videos on email etiquette and how to find an internship.

Berea College (KY)

U.S. News rank: 69 (tied), National Liberal Arts Colleges

Overview: Students at Berea College are matched with a paid, on-campus job, which helps students build career skills as well as earn money, according to the school's website. The school estimates first-year students make around $1,200 to pay for living expenses.

Butler Univeristy (IN)

U.S. News rank: 2, Regional Universities (Midwest)

Overview: Butler University supports career growth even during the summer months. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, students can receive cover letter and resume critiques via email, with a turnaround time of just three business days, the school's website states. There is also a robust alumni mentorship program designed to guide current students.

Cornell University (NY)

U.S. News rank: 15, National Universities

Overview:Cornell University has a number of career-focused programs designed to help students understand their interests, explore possible jobs and take action toward reaching their goals, according to the school. Available summer programs include the Cornell in Hollywood option, which matches students with movie industry internships in Los Angeles and a program that sends students to Maine to work in marine sciences.

Drexel University (PA)

U.S. News rank: 95 (tie), National Universities

Overview: The undergraduate experience at Drexel University revolves around cooperative education, according to the school's website. Cycles generally run for six months and alternate between classes and full-time employment positions through approved employers.

Elon University (NC)

U.S. News rank: 1, Regional Universities (South)

Overview:Elon University's experiential learning requirement can be completed by studying abroad, completing an internship or service project, obtaining a leadership position on campus or seeking out independent research opportunities, the school's website states.

Georgia Institute of Technology

U.S. News Rank: 35 (tie) National Universities

Overview: The optional co-op program at Georgia Tech lasts four to five years and includes at least three alternating semesters of classes and professional work.

Northeastern University (MA)

U.S. News rank: 42 (tie), National Universities

Overview: Co-op education is central to the academic experience at Boston's Northeastern University. Students can expect to complete up to three co-ops during the five-year program or two during the four-year program, the school's website states.

Purdue University--West Lafayette (IN)

U.S. News Rank: 62 (tie) National Universities

Overview: Purdue says its three- and five-session co-op program students work with about 500 employers. Nearly 60 percent of the co-op jobs are located outside of Indiana, and about 40 percent of those are away from the Midwest, according to the school's website.

Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)

U.S. News rank: 8, Regional Universities (North)

Overview: Co-op requirements at RIT vary by major, and it's optional for students in certain programs, according to the school's website. The school reports that students earned more than $30 million last year through paid, full-time co-op employment. Students should expect to begin a co-op only after completing the first two years of their academic course work.

University of Cincinnati (OH)

U.S. News rank: 129 (tie), National Universities

Overview: The University of Cincinnati's Division of Professional Practice heads up the school's co-op program -- formed more than 100 years ago, the school's website states. Offerings include an international program, which has sent students to work in 43 countries. There are also chances for students to arrange part-time academic internships.

University of Southern California

U.S. News rank: 25 (tie), National Universities

Overview: According to the school's website, career services at USC include mentoring programs for first-generation college students, a global internship program and access to an online internship consortium shared between 11 other selective schools, including Yale University and Stanford University.

Wagner College (NY)

U.S. News rank: 28 (tie), Regional Universities (North)

Overview: The Wagner College curriculum starts students on a path to career learning from their first semester. The first-year program includes learning communities that combine a liberal arts education with around three hours per week of related field work, according to the school's website.

Learn More About College Career Prep

In addition to these schools, many other colleges are designed to help students build job skills and explore career opportunities.

Learn more by connecting with U.S. News Education on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

Travis Mitchell is an education Web producer at U.S. News. You can follow him on Twitter or email him at tmitchell@usnews.com.