15 Best Paid Summer Internships for College Students
- Stephen Turban
- 16 minutes ago
- 11 min read
As a college student, internships can be an accessible way to gain professional experience, build industry-specific skills, and strengthen your resume with workplace achievements. Internships offer you structured exposure to workplace expectations in your chosen discipline, team-based problem-solving experiences, and professional communication opportunities.Â
Many internships come with competitive stipends, and many of them are conducted in a hybrid or virtual format today, making them accessible options to explore before graduation. As an intern, you will have access to expert mentorship, project opportunities, and professional networking. These experiences can help you discover your strengths, explore different career paths, and build your profile.
To help you with your search, we have put together a list of the 15 best paid summer internships for college students. We have evaluated these internships based on the prestige, the rigor of the professional experience, and the breadth of networking opportunities they offer.Â
If you are looking for paid online internships, check out our blog here.
15 Best Paid Summer Internships for College Students
Location:Â National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, or other NIH campuses in the U.S.
Stipend:Â Starting at $3,010 (for undergraduates); amount varies by educational level (check details here)
Dates: Typically June–August (8 weeks)
Application deadline:Â February 18; applications open on December 8
Eligibility:Â High school, undergraduate, graduate, or professional students enrolled at least half-time, ages 17 and up, who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The NIH Summer Internship Program places students in full-time research groups across biomedical, behavioral, and social science fields within the NIH Intramural Research Program. You will work directly under a Principal Investigator, supporting active laboratory, computational, or clinical research projects. You will gain experience with techniques such as data analysis, literature review, experimental design, and lab-based workflows within the assigned research group. The program combines structured mentorship and professional development workshops focused on scientific communication, research careers, and graduate school preparation. You will also attend site-wide events such as the NIH Graduate and Professional School Fair and present your work at Summer Poster Day.Â
Location:Â U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C., or placements at domestic offices across the U.S.
Stipend:Â Paid; GS-04/Step 1 base pay + travel reimbursement + housing assistance
Dates: May/July – August/September
Application deadline: October–February application window; closes once capacity is reached
Eligibility:Â College juniors, seniors, or graduate students eligible for a Public Trust, Secret, or Top Secret clearance with U.S. citizenship and a minimum 3.2 GPA
This paid internship places students across various bureaus of the U.S. Department of State to support foreign affairs, diplomacy, and policy operations. As an intern, you will participate in tasks such as drafting official communication, editing policy materials, preparing briefing documents, and supporting multilateral meetings. You will also engage in direct interactions with government officials, contribute to public diplomacy activities, and assist with international and domestic events. The program emphasizes the development of analytical writing, communication, and policy analysis skills through hands-on assignments. You will work closely with Foreign Service Officers and Civil Service professionals, gaining insights into career paths in international affairs.Â
Location:Â NASA Centers and Facilities nationwide (e.g., NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.)
Stipend:Â Paid; compensation varies by center and education level
Dates: June – August; dates vary by placement
Application deadline:Â February 27
Eligibility:Â Full-time or part-time college students (undergraduate to graduate level) who are U.S. citizens and have a minimum 3.0 GPA
NASA’s OSTEM Internship Program places students across NASA centers to support mission-critical work in engineering, science, computer science, business operations, communications, and program management. You will work alongside NASA mentors on active projects, which may include software development, mission planning, laboratory research, data modeling, financial analysis, or technology testing, depending on the placement. You will gain exposure to NASA workflows, technical tools, and interdisciplinary collaboration across engineering, science, and administrative teams. You may contribute to ongoing missions or support activities related to space exploration, aeronautics, or Earth science. Center tours, virtual engagements, and opportunities to connect with NASA are part of the experience.
Location:Â Hybrid roles in American Express offices in the U.S.
Stipend:Â Paid
Dates:Â Summer session runs from May to August
Application deadline:Â Date not specified; applications open in January
Eligibility:Â Current undergraduate studentsÂ
The American Express Summer Internship places students within its global marketing and product teams to work on projects that support lending, acquisition, member engagement, merchant marketing, insurance, and new product development. As an intern, you will take on structured responsibilities such as market analysis, campaign development, performance reporting, and product lifecycle support, depending on your assigned function. The program offers mentorship from senior team members along with scheduled training sessions covering business fundamentals and cross-functional collaboration. You will also participate in networking events to connect with staff across global offices and gain insight into long-term roles within Amex. The hybrid structure gives you exposure to both in-office teamwork and remote digital workflows.Â
Location:Â World Bank Treasury, Washington, D.C.
Stipend: $21.80 – $26.20/hour
Dates: May 26 – August 3
Application deadline:Â Typically, fall/early winter
Eligibility:Â Undergraduates in their penultimate year of study
The World Bank Treasury Summer Internship offers a 10-week paid experience each year, allowing 16 students to join three Treasury teams and gain exposure to asset management, financial modeling, risk analytics, and capital markets operations. You will begin with a week of onboarding before engaging in successive three-week rotations, each ending with a team presentation. You will participate in weekly discussions with the program director and attend a career speaker series led by Treasury officers and managers. The internship culminates in a capstone group presentation to Treasury leadership, offering experience in financial analysis and communication. Throughout the program, you will work directly with teams across the 300-employee Treasury, gaining exposure to global finance workflows. This opportunity also serves as a pipeline to the Junior Analyst position.
Location: McKinsey & Company’s North America offices
Stipend:Â Paid (competitive consulting compensation available)
Dates:Â 10-week summer program
Application deadline:Â Application window typically opens in late summer/early fall; upcoming cycle details TBA
Eligibility:Â Students who are completing or have recently completed their first year of undergraduate study; strong academics and analytical aptitude are preferred.
The Sophomore Summer Business Analyst Program places students on consulting project teams where they work on real client challenges across industries and functional areas. As an intern, you will support tasks such as collecting and analyzing data, interviewing stakeholders, building financial and operational models, and preparing structured recommendations. The program begins with a week of training, during which you will build key consulting skills, followed by internship duties under the ongoing guidance of the local office. You will work on projects and present your findings to teams, contribute to internal knowledge-building, and gain exposure to McKinsey experts across topics. The program includes networking sessions and events with McKinsey’s affinity networks.Â
Location: Adobe, San Jose, CA + placements across Adobe’s U.S. offices
Stipend:Â Paid
Dates: Typically, May–August (exact dates vary by role)
Application deadline: Applications for most summer roles open in September–October and close on a rolling basis.
Eligibility:Â Current undergraduate or graduate students, depending on role; academic background requirements vary for each internship.
Adobe’s University Internship Program places students in high-impact teams across engineering, product management, design, marketing, sales, finance, HR tech, and legal. You will work with Adobe professionals on projects tied to the company’s core digital media and digital experience products, gaining experience with tools such as Creative Cloud, AI/ML frameworks, analytics platforms, or enterprise systems, depending on the team. The program offers structured mentorship, on-the-job training, and opportunities to collaborate cross-functionally with designers, engineers, and business strategists. You will participate in intern-specific events, technical talks, and team showcases, offering insight into Adobe’s workflows and industry practices. Many roles also involve building prototypes, contributing to product roadmaps, supporting marketing analytics, or creating design assets for internal and external campaigns.
Location:Â GE Aerospace, Niskayuna, NY (with placements at U.S. sites nationwide)
Stipend:Â Paid; relocation and additional stipends may be provided
Dates: 10–12 weeks; May–August (varies by role)
Application deadline:Â Not specified; applications typically open in August
Eligibility:Â Current college students in engineering, business, digital technology, HR, finance, legal, or related fields
GE Aerospace’s summer internship program places students in engineering, digital technology, supply chain, finance, legal, and commercial teams to support ongoing aerospace projects. You will contribute to technical tasks such as modeling, device fabrication, software development, and system testing, or support business functions through analytics, reporting, or operational planning. Each role is structured to offer hands-on experience with industry tools and workflows used across GE’s aviation and engineering operations. You will work closely with employees and project leaders, joining meetings, technical reviews, and collaborative problem-solving sessions. GE also provides access to a broader global intern cohort for networking and professional engagement.Â
Location:Â Abbott offices in the U.S.
Stipend:Â Paid
Dates: 10–12 weeks during the summer (dates align with academic calendars)
Application deadline:Â Applications open during the academic year; deadlines vary by function
Eligibility:Â Undergraduate students in engineering, IT, finance, science, marketing, or related majors who are eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship
Abbott’s Summer Internship Program offers students paid placements in engineering, science, finance, IT, marketing, manufacturing, and quality assurance across its U.S. offices. You will work on real projects from day one, often supporting product development, diagnostics, production workflows, prototype design, data analysis, or operational processes, depending on the assigned functional area. The program emphasizes leadership exposure, providing regular access to senior executives and structured learning sessions. You will join a global intern community accessing opportunities for training, peer collaboration, and skill-building workshops. Throughout the internship, mentors will guide you through hands-on assignments that mirror real industry challenges in healthcare technology.Â
Location:Â Boeing offices in the U.S. and abroad
Stipend:Â PaidÂ
Dates: Mid-May – September
Application deadline:Â Application windows open in the fall and spring
Eligibility:Â College students in engineering, computer science, business, IT, data analytics, or related fields
Boeing’s Internship Program places students on multidisciplinary teams working on aerospace engineering, data analytics, software development, business operations, manufacturing, and security projects. You will contribute to real assignments focusing on aircraft design support, structural analysis, systems testing, IT architecture, or business analytics, depending on your role. Throughout the internship, you will work closely with mentors, participate in networking events, and attend development seminars that introduce you to various career pathways. Boeing also organizes executive engagements and community involvement activities that offer you insights into Boeing’s organizational culture and the aviation industry.Â
Location:Â Federal Communications Commission, Washington, D.C.
Stipend:Â Paid internship at the GS-4 grade level for up to 15 weeks of full-time work
Dates: Approximately 10–15 weeks in summer (full-time work in-person at FCC Headquarters)
Application deadline:Â March 11; you can apply via USAJOBS.
Eligibility:Â U.S. citizens who are advanced undergraduate or graduate students in economics, data science, computer science, public policy, GIS, geography, environmental science, or related fields; applicants must meet Pathways student requirements.
The FCC Office of Economics & Analytics Pathways Summer Internship places students within teams in the Economic Analysis Division or Industry Analysis Division to support regulatory policy through quantitative research. You will work with economists and policy specialists on tasks such as cost–benefit analysis, econometric modeling, data cleaning, and statistical or geospatial analysis using tools like Stata, R, Python, SAS, and ArcGIS. You may contribute to rulemaking, transaction reviews, or broadband and communications market studies, often working with large administrative and industry datasets. If assigned the GIS (geographic information system) track, your tasks will involve processing and visualizing large spatial datasets, producing maps and summaries that inform broadband and spectrum policy. Throughout the internship, you will gain exposure to how economic evidence feeds directly into federal decision-making, while building skills in coding, applied statistics, and policy analysis in a federal agency environment.
Location:Â Southwest Airlines, Dallas, TX; hybrid and virtual roles available
Stipend:Â Up to $2,000 availableÂ
Dates: May 19 – August 7
Application deadline: Technology & Revenue Management application window: October 7 – 15 | All Other Departments: January 7 – 21
Eligibility:Â Full-time college students graduating in the fall or later with a minimum 2.5 GPA; applicants must major in a field relevant to the internship.
Southwest Airlines’ Campus Reach Internship provides full-time summer placements across technology, marketing, operations, HR, finance, communications, supply chain, and additional corporate teams. You will work 40 hours per week on department-specific projects such as data solutions, operational planning, customer experience improvements, marketing initiatives, or technical process support. The program offers access to professional development workshops, executive speaker sessions, and the Gallup CliftonStrengths assessment to help you refine your leadership and communication skills. You will work closely with a designated mentor and participate in service projects that connect you to Southwest’s culture and community focus. The program also provides housing support resources, workplace flexibility in some departments, and free space-available flight travel.Â
Location:Â NBCUniversal, Universal City, CA/New York, NY, or other U.S. office locations
Stipend:Â Paid internship (hourly compensation)
Dates: June – August (full-time summer positions available)
Application deadline: Application window: November 10 – December 5; the window may close earlier based on the number of applications received
Eligibility:Â Current undergraduate and graduate students with a strong interest in media, entertainment, technology, communications, or business; applicants must meet role-specific qualifications.
The NBCUniversal Summer Internship Program places college students across the company’s business, technology, media, and production teams. You will work on real projects in areas such as news, filmmaking, marketing, product design, data analytics, and distribution, gaining exposure to how major media brands operate. You will collaborate with professionals across studios, networks, parks, and digital divisions while attending development workshops, networking sessions, and executive speaker events. The program also includes structured training, feedback cycles, and opportunities to present work to teams. You will gain a mix of hands-on production experience, cross-functional collaboration opportunities, and project-based assignments that mirror full-time roles. Additional benefits include a Peacock subscription and free access to Universal Parks during the internship.
Location:Â FedEx offices across the U.S.
Stipend:Â Paid (competitive hourly wage)
Dates: June – August (10-week program)
Application deadline: September – October (application window)
Eligibility:Â Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at accredited colleges/universities; role-specific major requirements may apply.
The FedEx College Connections Internship is a 10-week paid summer program designed to offer students hands-on exposure to business functions across a major global logistics company. You will work full-time on operational, technical, or analytical projects while collaborating with HR, IT, engineering, marketing, operations, and transportation teams. You will work with senior mentors, attend executive speaker sessions, and participate in networking events that introduce you to FedEx’s corporate environment. The program also offers access to structured project assignments, tours of major FedEx facilities, and opportunities to present your work to the company leadership.Â
Location:Â Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA
Stipend: Paid; housing, course credit, and travel support also available
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application deadline:Â January 31
Eligibility:Â Juniors, seniors, and recent graduates (within one year) enrolled in undergraduate institutions with a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher; applicants must be U.S. citizens/permanent residents.
The Lewis Scholars' Imhotep Project is an 11-week public health research internship open to just 35 students. As an intern, you will first complete two weeks of academic training, enrolling in courses covering scientific writing, health disparities, public health, epidemiology, and biostatistics. For the next nine weeks, you will work with a mentor from an academic institution, a local and state agency, a community-based organization, or the CDC, and complete a public health research project. You will attend seminars and workshops and engage in at least 16 hours of community service. You will conclude the experience by delivering an oral poster presentation to peers, mentors, and public health professionals. You will also produce a research manuscript that is ready to be published in a scientific journal.
Bonus Option - Ladder University Internship Program
Location:Â Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; financial assistance available
Application deadline:Â May deadlines for summer cohorts
Dates: June – August (lasts eight weeks or more)
Eligibility: Undergraduates, gap-year students, and high school students who can work 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships is an online program that connects students with startups tackling real-world challenges across biotechnology, health tech, AI, sustainability, and even radiology-related innovation. You will be paired with a company mentor who will offer consistent feedback and career-focused guidance throughout the internship as you work on real projects and deliverables. You will also have access to the guidance of a Ladder Coach, who will act as a second mentor during the program. You will develop practical skills in research, analysis, and professional communication, while preparing for and delivering a final project presentation.Â
One other option—Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here, check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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