15 Paid Summer Internships for College Students
- Stephen Turban
- Apr 14
- 10 min read
Internships are a great way for college students to gain practical experience and bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry work. A summer internship doesn’t just let you apply what you’ve studied; it also helps you build professional skills, explore different industries, and form valuable connections with mentors and peers. In recent years, online internships have made this experience more accessible, allowing you to work with top organizations across the globe without the need to relocate. Virtual or in-person, internships give you the experience of working in professional environments, whether that’s a fast-paced corporate office, a research lab, or a creative agency.
For this guide, we’ve curated a list of 15 paid summer internships for college students that stand out for their prestige, professional rigor, and networking opportunities. Each program offers a stipend or hourly wage, ensuring that you are compensated while you gain experience in your field of interest.
If you’re looking for even more competitive or specialized options, check out our other curated lists here.
Location: Multiple NIST labs across the United States
Cost/Stipend: $7,810 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: 11 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: Applications open December 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled full-time at accredited two-year or four-year U.S. colleges
The NIST SURF gives you the chance to work inside one of the country’s federal science labs, where you can contribute to research in MRI imaging, quantum science, medicine, materials engineering, and cybersecurity. Each intern is matched with a NIST mentor and guided through hands-on lab work, data collection, and scientific problem solving. The program accepts about one in three applicants exploring careers in STEM research. Past projects have focused on topics like changes in PFAS levels in unused firefighter gear at the NIST Engineering Laboratory and the measurement of the distance of functional groups within AMPs at the NIST Material Measurement Laboratory.
Location: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA
Stipend: Paid
Program Dates: 10-week program beginning in May or June
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students in STEM fields with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Open to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.
The JPL Summer Internship Program gives you the chance to work inside one of NASA’s most renowned research centers. Over 10 weeks, you’ll take on project work in fields like robotics, astrophysics, spacecraft design, autonomous systems, data science, and mission planning. Each intern is paired with a JPL scientist or engineer who guides them through a structured project designed to build technical depth and contribute to ongoing NASA missions. You can also join enrichment sessions such as lab tours, technical lectures, and career development workshops organized by the JPL Education Office.
Location: Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton, NJ
Stipend: $6,300
Dates: June 1 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled as undergraduates
The Summer Internship Program (SIP) at Princeton University’s Neuroscience Institute is a highly competitive, fully funded nine-week research experience designed for those passionate about neuroscience and scientific discovery. You will be matched with faculty mentors and placed in research labs, where you’ll contribute to original projects in areas such as brain function, cognition, and computational modeling.
Beyond research, you’ll participate in weekly lectures from Princeton faculty, skill-building courses in R, Python, and MATLAB, and professional workshops on career planning and graduate school preparation. The program also includes lab meetings, poster presentations, and attendance at the Leadership Alliance National Symposium, providing you with both technical expertise and professional networking opportunities.
Location: Seattle, Washington
Cost/Stipend: $7,100 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: 9-week summer program
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Students aged 18+ currently enrolled in a community college, technical college, or undergraduate program
The Seattle Children’s Summer Scholars Program offers a 9-week, full-time research internship for college students interested in biomedical and health science fields. As scholars, you’ll work on mentored research within Seattle Children’s Research Institute, contributing to ongoing basic, clinical, community-based, or translational projects. The remaining time is dedicated to a structured curriculum designed to build research skills, introduce ethical research practices, and support students as they explore long-term career paths in medicine and science. You’ll receive close mentorship, opportunities for networking, and access to community-building activities. At the end of the program, you’ll publish an abstract and present your work at a formal poster symposium.
Location: Cambridge, MA
Stipend: A weekly stipend is provided
Program Dates: June 1 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: U.S.-based undergraduates majoring in STEM fields with a minimum 3.5 GPA; open to sophomores, juniors, or non-graduating seniors
The Bernard S. and Sophie G. Gould MIT Summer Research Program in Biology (BSG-MSRP-Bio) is a 10-week research experience for high-achieving STEM undergraduates from non-MIT institutions. You’ll work full-time in one of MIT’s 90+ affiliated laboratories across the Departments of Biology, Brain & Cognitive Sciences, and Chemistry, engaging in hands-on research alongside leading scientists and graduate mentors.
In addition to laboratory work, you’ll attend weekly academic seminars, faculty meetings, and professional development workshops that focus on graduate school preparation, scientific writing, and research presentation skills. The program culminates in a poster symposium where you’ll showcase your summer research findings. Over 85% of past participants have gone on to pursue graduate degrees at top research universities.
Location: Stanford, CA
Stipend: $4,800
Program Dates: June 20 – August 15
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents; current undergraduates (sophomores, juniors, or non-graduating seniors); minimum 3.2 GPA
The Stanford Summer Research Program is an eight-week, fully funded residential internship where you’re paired with Stanford faculty and lab mentors, and spend the summer conducting independent research in advanced laboratories. The program blends research with structured learning through faculty lectures, journal clubs, and professional development workshops focused on graduate applications and scientific communication. You’ll receive individualized guidance on personal statements, CVs, and presentation skills, culminating in a formal research symposium where you’ll present your posters. Beyond academics, SSRP provides campus housing, meals, a travel allowance, stipend support, and planned social outings that help you immerse yourself in Stanford’s research culture.
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: $4,800
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 8–July 31
Application Deadline: January 6
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents; current undergraduates, including community college students transferring to a four-year institution
This NSF-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program provides selected college students with an exploration of human factors and psychological science research. You’ll work with Rice University faculty on research projects that explore how psychological principles are applied. The program blends hands-on research with structured mentorship, professional development, and opportunities to build technical and analytical skills valued in psychology and applied sciences. You’ll also receive support to present your work at a national conference, along with a final oral presentation on campus.
Location: Washington, D.C. and participating U.S. Attorney’s Offices nationwide
Cost/Stipend: Paid summer internship; exact salary varies by component
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Summer; varies by component
Application Deadline: September 2
Eligibility: Current law students with at least one completed semester at a U.S.-accredited law school; part-time students eligible
The Department of Justice’s Summer Law Intern Program is a competitive, paid legal internship designed for law students who want hands-on experience in public service and federal law. You will be placed across various DOJ components and U.S. Attorney’s Offices, where you will support legal work that may include research, writing, trial preparation, policy analysis, and agency-specific projects. Selection is highly competitive and looks at academic excellence, leadership, clinic or moot court experience, and demonstrated interest in public sector law. With virtual interviews and rolling offers from late October onward, SLIP provides a structured pathway for aspiring attorneys seeking a meaningful, paid legal internship within the federal government.
Location: New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: $25–$33
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not mentioned
Dates: Starts in June
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: Current undergraduate juniors who will complete their third year by June of the coming year and graduate in May or June after the third year
The Lauder Creative Internship is designed for college students interested in gaining hands-on experience in creative design and visual merchandising. You’ll support concept development, content ideation, store design visualization, and merchandising layouts while collaborating with Creative Directors, Designers, Visual Merchandisers, Store Architects, and Copywriters. The program provides practical exposure to how global beauty brands translate creative direction into store experiences, packaging, visual assets, and campaign content. You can be placed across several creative tracks, including Visual Merchandising, Store Design, Package Design, Copywriting, Social Media Content Design, and Graphic Design. This is a competitive, paid internship ideal for students pursuing majors in BFA, Graphic or Industrial Design, or Digital Media.
Location: New York, NY or Jersey City, NJ
Cost/Stipend: $24–$29/hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: 11-week summer program
Application Deadline: August 15–September 30
Eligibility: Undergraduate students graduating between December and July
The L’Oréal USA Marketing Internship is an immersive program where you’ll step directly into the day-to-day responsibilities of a brand marketing team while completing a strategic summer project. Over 11 weeks, you’ll work across consumer insights, competitive analysis, campaign execution, and product innovation, gaining exposure to how global beauty brands grow market share and design full-funnel marketing plans. You’ll be placed with one of L’Oréal’s four divisions, including Consumer Products, Luxury, Dermatological Beauty, or Professional Products, and are expected to develop business-ready insights that you’ll present to senior leaders at the end of the program. The experience is structured to build core skills in brand storytelling, analytics, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration.
Location: Atlanta, GA (on-campus) or remote
Cost/Stipend: $5,500 for on-campus scholars; virtual track unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: On-campus: May 26–July 31 | Virtual: June 1–July 29
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Must not graduate before December of the current year; must be on track to graduate by June in the next 3 years; open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA/undocumented students, and international students
The LGS-SOAR Program gives college students a structured pathway into graduate-level research, offering both a full-time residential research experience and a flexible virtual alternative. You’ll spend the summer working in Emory research labs across biomedical sciences, public health, natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences. You’ll receive hands-on mentoring from faculty, postdocs, and graduate students, while attending dedicated sessions on research ethics, graduate school preparation, and academic skill-building. The virtual track is designed for those who want to explore research pathways but cannot attend in person; you’ll attend discipline-specific sessions led by current PhD students and complete a capstone-style project. On-campus scholars get a chance at placement in one of Emory’s partner research programs, including ACS-DICR, EPC, AFLAC, and Leadership Alliance SR-EIP. This program is best suited for those considering a master’s or PhD.
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Paid positions available; unpaid academic-credit roles also offered
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round (spring, summer, fall, winter)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Must be enrolled at least part-time in an academic institution; must reside in a U.S. state where APA is registered as an employer
The American Psychological Association offers remote internships across policy, research, communications, publishing, operations, and education for those interested in applying psychology beyond clinical settings. You’ll work inside a national nonprofit with more than 157,000 members, gaining exposure to real-world projects while learning how psychological science influences policy, public engagement, and organizational strategy. Paid interns receive structured assignments and supervision, and all interns may join workshops, discussions, and interdepartmental activities that deepen their understanding of professional pathways in psychology. Selected interns also benefit from a one-year free APA student affiliate membership and access to databases like PsycINFO and PsycARTICLES. You can apply for up to three internships, submitting a combined resume, cover letter, and writing sample for each application. This program is ideal for psychology majors exploring policy, advocacy, research communication, or other non-clinical careers in the field.
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship with housing accommodations included
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not mentioned
Dates: 10-week program starting June 8
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: Current university students graduating between September of the current year and July of the next year; Computer Science, Engineering, or related fields; proficiency in at least one programming language (Java or C++ preferred); strong foundation in algorithms and data structures
The IMC Software Engineer Internship offers college students a 10-week, full-time summer experience designed to immerse you in real engineering challenges inside a global trading firm. You’ll work on high-impact projects that support IMC’s trading technology while learning from senior engineers through structured mentorship and classroom-style training. The program covers financial markets fundamentals, IMC’s tech stack, and coding best practices, making it a strong fit even for students without prior finance exposure.
Throughout the summer, you’ll get opportunities to connect with technologists and traders, take part in professional development sessions, and join a full schedule of social and networking events. Students who excel are considered for full-time graduate roles after the internship.
Location: Nashville, TN, US
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship; includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) with company match, paid time off, parental leave, and more
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Summer; details updated on website
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students pursuing a four-year or advanced degree in Civil Engineering with cumulative GPA of 3.0+ preferred
Ranked among Engineering News-Record’s top 50 design firms, Langan offers you an opportunity to work alongside industry leaders while developing technical and professional skills. You’ll assist with site feasibility studies, field inspections, technical reports, and design documentation using AutoCAD and Civil 3D. Your role may also include evaluating soil and hydrological data, preparing cost estimates, supporting zoning and permit assessments, and drafting design plans for ongoing projects. The internship combines hands-on project experience with mentorship opportunities and exposure to client meetings. You’ll learn how engineering solutions are designed, tested, and implemented in the real world, while building analytical, collaborative, and communication skills essential for a future career in civil engineering.
Location: Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: $25/hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current undergraduate or graduate students in Civil, Geotechnical, or Environmental Engineering
The Geotechnical Intern role at GeoEngineers offers hands-on field and laboratory experience for college students passionate about civil and geotechnical engineering. You’ll assist engineers in monitoring field explorations and construction projects, documenting site conditions, conducting soil and material testing, and supporting technical analyses. The internship also involves preparing reports and maintaining lab and field equipment, giving you exposure to both fieldwork and office-based project coordination. You’ll work closely with professional engineers and scientists, gaining mentorship and real-world insights into the fundamentals of geotechnical design and construction. GeoEngineers offers a collaborative environment where you can make meaningful contributions to projects while developing professional and technical skills.
Bonus program
Looking for an immersive internship experience?
Check out Ladder Internships!
Ladder University Internship Program is a selective, virtual internship program where you work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup. Apply now!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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