Top Colleges, Universities for Internship, Co-Op Programs
Schools that focus on career prep
Getting work experience in college can help students land a job after graduation. One option for students to gain that experience is cooperative education programs, which include paid full-time jobs that typically last three to 12 months, internships or other service-based experiential learning programs. In U.S. News' spring 2021 survey, college presidents, chief academic officers, deans of students and deans of admissions from more than 1,500 schools most frequently nominated the following 20 schools -- listed by rank in descending order -- as examples of institutions with stellar internship and co-op programs. Each administrator was invited to nominate up to 15 institutions for top co-ops or internships. The 2022 edition of Best Colleges marks the third time U.S. News has ranked co-ops and internships.
20. Bucknell University (PA)
U.S. News rank: 38 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges
Overview:Bucknell University offers a variety of internships -- including a program on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. -- as well as one- or two-day job-shadowing opportunities known as externships, which have been suspended due to COVID-19. While students can earn credit for unpaid internships, paid opportunities are typically not credit-bearing, per the university website.
18 (tie). Bentley University (MA)
U.S. News rank: 2, Regional Universities (North)
Overview:Bentley University's HIRE Education programs help students build on their career development skills every year. Starting freshman year, students have the option to take career development seminars; join career communities that connect students with professionals, students and faculty; and participate in other career-oriented events.
18 (tie). George Washington University (DC)
U.S. News rank: 63 (tie), National Universities
Overview:George Washington University uses its central location in Washington, D.C., as a launching point for internships, noting on its website that more than 12,000 such opportunities are available for undergraduate and grad students in a given year. In addition to internships through their majors, GW also makes elective internships available to qualifying students.
15 (tie). Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
U.S. News rank: 25 (tie), National Universities
Overview:Carnegie Mellon University facilitates a variety of internship programs and fellowships, including a semester in Washington, D.C. According to the school's website, a summer internship fund also helps students who take low-wage or unpaid internships in the U.S. pay for their expenses.
15 (tie). Clemson University (SC)
U.S. News rank: 75 (tie), National Universities
Overview: At Clemson University, students will find both internship and co-op programs to help launch their careers. For a fee of $6,300 to $8,100, the school also offers eight-week international internships in Australia, Ireland, Portugal and Spain, according to its website.
15 (tie). Worcester Polytechnic Institute (MA)
U.S. News rank: 63 (tie), National Universities
Overview:WPI students have the opportunity to participate in internships and paid, noncredit co-ops. The school's project-based learning plan also allows students to get hands-on experience in the classroom through required projects aimed at solving real-world problems.
14. Cornell University (NY)
U.S. News rank: 17 (tie), National Universities
Overview: Cornell University has a variety of summer programs to help students build experiences in their desired career fields. These include Cornell in Hollywood, a program that provides film-related internships in Los Angeles, and a summer internship that gives students experience at entrepreneurial companies.
13. Purdue University--West Lafayette (IN)
U.S. News rank: 49 (tie), National Universities
Overview: Students who participate in Purdue University's three- or five-session co-op program must work with the same employer for all sessions. The goal is to allow students to build relationships with their employer, work on more projects and increase responsibilities, according to the university's website.
12 (tie). Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)
U.S. News rank: 117 (tie), National Universities
Overview: Co-op requirements at RIT vary by college and major and may be optional or required. According to the school's website, more than 4,500 students complete a co-op each year, which it defines as employment of 35 hours or more per week. Students participating in co-op programs are typically paid and participation is tuition-free, unlike programs at some colleges.
9 (tie). Agnes Scott College (GA)
U.S. News rank: 66, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Overview: At Agnes Scott College, the goal is for every student to have at least one internship before graduating. The college also makes funding available to students who intern in unpaid or minimally paid public service or public health roles.
9 (tie). Duke University (NC)
U.S. News rank: 9 (tie), National Universities
Overview: At Duke University, internship requirements vary by program, according to the school's website. For students in unpaid or low-paying -- less than $1,500 -- internships, the university makes $600 to $3,000 available in competitive grant funding.
9 (tie). Endicott College (MA)
U.S. News rank: 23 (tie), Regional Universities (North)
Overview: All students are required to complete three internships during their four-year program at Endicott College, including 120-hour internships freshman and sophomore years. Students complete an internship preparation course during their first semester in college.
8. Stanford University (CA)
U.S. News rank: 6 (tie), National Universities
Overview:Stanford boasts a wide range of internship programs, including placement in New York City and abroad. Other opportunities focus on career education, community engagement, public service and scientific research.
7. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
U.S. News rank: 2 (tie), National Universities
Overview: MIT offers numerous internship programs for students. One program, the MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives, matches students with international all-expenses-paid internship, teaching and research positions. According to the MIT website, most of these opportunities are fully funded or cost neutral.
6. Elon University (NC)
U.S. News rank: 83 (tie), National Universities
Overview: All students must fulfill an experiential learning requirement to graduate from Elon University. The requirement can be fulfilled through internships, co-ops, studying abroad, independent research, service-learning projects or a mentored leadership position.
4 (tie). Georgia Institute of Technology
U.S. News rank: 38 (tie), National Universities
Overview: Georgia Tech offers an optional five-year co-op program. Students alternate semesters between working full time and taking classes through junior year. Students in the optional co-op program should expect to work at least three semesters. According to the university website, Georgia Tech's voluntary co-op program is the largest in the U.S.
4 (tie). University of Cincinnati
U.S. News rank: 148 (tie), National Universities
Overview: Students with majors in the college of engineering and applied science are required to participate in the University of Cincinnati's co-op program. Students usually complete three to five semesters of co-ops before graduation. The co-op program is also open to students in some other select majors. Students unable to participate in the program, which is more than 100 years old, may get internships or participate in other international or national service-learning programs.
3. Berea College (KY)
U.S. News rank: 30 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges
Overview: Through the school's Labor Program, which dates back to 1859, all Berea College students are required to work 10-15 hours a week in approved jobs on campus or in the community while maintaining a full academic course load. Participation in the Berea Labor Program allows students to attend the college tuition-free. In addition to on-campus work, students are also able to pursue other experential learning opportunities such as internships.
2. Drexel University (PA)
U.S. News rank: 103 (tie), National Universities
Overview: Depending on their major, Drexel University students may have to complete one to three co-ops before graduation. The co-ops -- available for most majors -- are full-time jobs for generally six months, alternating with six months of academic study. Depending on whether they are on the four- or five-year track, students typically start their co-ops during sophomore or junior year after taking preparation courses early on.
1. Northeastern University (MA)
U.S. News rank: 49 (tie), National Universities
Overview: Northeastern University co-op students are required to take a preparation course to learn resume writing, interviewing skills, workplace etiquette and other topics. They are also required to meet with their co-op coordinator before participating in their first co-op, which takes place the second semester of sophomore year or the summer after. While co-op participation is not required, most students do take part. According to the school's website, 96% of the Class of 2016 participated in at least one co-op experience and 78% participated in two or more.
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Best schools for internships and co-ops
1. Northeastern University
2. Drexel University
3. Berea College
4 (tie). Georgia Institute of Technology
4 (tie). University of Cincinnati
6. Elon University
7. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
8 . Stanford University
9 (tie). Agnes Scott College
9 (tie). Duke University
9 (tie). Endicott College
12. Rochester Institute of Technology
13. Purdue University--West Lafayette
14. Cornell University
15 (tie). Carnegie Mellon University
15 (tie). Clemson University
15 (tie). Worcester Polytechnic Institute
18 (tie). Bentley University
18 (tie). George Washington University
20. Bucknell University
