15 Real Estate Internships for College Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 14 min read
A professional internship can be a critical milestone for your undergraduate career, bridging classroom knowledge and industry application. These opportunities allow you to cultivate essential professional skills, gain direct exposure to complex market dynamics, and build a network of mentors and peers. Beyond educational value, completing a high-level internship significantly enhances your resume, highlighting your dedication and competence to future employers. If you plan to pursue a career in property development or investment, finding the right real estate internship as a college student is a vital step.
Why should I do a real estate internship in college?
Participating in an internship during college provides a distinct competitive advantage in an increasingly crowded job market. It can demonstrate a proactive commitment to your career path, which significantly boosts your overall employability upon graduation. These roles often involve important tasks such as financial modeling, market research, and asset management, providing you with a specialized, practical skill set. Additionally, a successful internship can be a powerful addition to future graduate school or MBA applications. Admissions committees often look for candidates who have tested their academic theories in real environments and can contribute practical insights to a cohort. Beyond the technical training, you gain access to internal company cultures and professional ecosystems, often leading to full-time job offers or high-quality letters of recommendation.
If you’re looking for remote internships, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These 15 internships span commercial brokerage, investment acquisitions, asset management, leasing, real estate accounting, corporate real estate, affordable housing, and institutional lending, so students with a wide range of real estate interests can find a relevant opportunity.
Several internships offer strong hourly pay, including EisnerAmper Real Estate Accounting ($28 to $38 per hour), Cushman and Wakefield ($21.25 to $25 per hour), Freestone Property Group ($20 to $25 per hour), and CBRE ($17 to $17.95 per hour), making them competitive options for students seeking paid professional experience.
Many internships are concentrated in New York City, including CBRE, MRG, HUGO BOSS, Cushman and Wakefield, BRC, EisnerAmper, Marcus and Millichap, Hirshmark Capital, JPMorgan Chase, Freestone, and UDR, making NYC a particularly strong destination for students interested in real estate.
Programs vary significantly in focus and format, from highly structured training programs with boot camps and capstone presentations, such as Hines REDI and Marcus and Millichap University, to flexible leasing and operations roles, such as UDR and Freestone, so students should choose based on their career interests and experience level.
Several programs have fall application deadlines for summer internships, including Hines REDI (closes October 3), JPMorgan Chase CRE (June 30 for the following summer), and CBRE (opened September 30), so students should research deadlines early in the academic year and apply well in advance.
Location: Remote and in-person options available
Cost/Stipend: Varies; some paid opportunities available
Acceptance size/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Flexible; multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students
Ladder Internships connects undergraduates with real internship placements at companies across a wide range of industries. You'll work on live projects, gain professional experience, and build your resume with tangible work samples. The program also includes mentorship, professional development sessions, and guidance on navigating career paths after college. Ladder has placed students at startups, nonprofits, and established companies across the US and internationally.
Why it stands out: It offers flexible, accessible internship placements with real companies, making it a strong option for undergraduates looking to build their professional profile.
Location: CBRE, Washington, D.C.; Baltimore, MD; Richmond, VA; or Tysons, VA
Cost/Stipend: Paid, $17.00 – $17.95 per hour
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application Deadline: Applications opened September 30; early submission is encouraged as roles in global firms often fill on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: Current college juniors, seniors, or graduate students with a strong academic background and authorization to work in the U.S.
The CBRE Sales/Brokerage Internship offers you a comprehensive introduction to the advisory segment of the world's largest commercial real estate services firm. Throughout the eight-week program, you will engage in rigorous market research, tracking regional employment statistics and industry trends that directly impact property valuations. Your daily responsibilities include updating prospect databases and assisting in the preparation of professional presentation materials for high-stakes business development. By working alongside seasoned professionals, you gain hands-on experience with financial analysis, lease reviews, and proposal summaries. This role prioritizes the development of a well-rounded skill set, providing you with unique opportunities to network within a fast-paced, global environment.
Location: Manhattan Realty Group, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – July 31
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted from January 15 to April 1.
Eligibility: Full-time college students interested in the New York City real estate market
The Manhattan Realty Group (MRG) Internship Program provides you with a ten-week immersion into one of the most competitive property markets in the world. You have the flexibility to specialize in several professional tracks, including marketing and branding, research and development, or business operations. The curriculum is designed to be highly interactive, featuring weekly business meetings and in-depth tours across Manhattan to study local real estate dynamics. In addition to technical tasks, the program emphasizes your personal growth through individual career coaching sessions and various team-building excursions. This multifaceted approach ensures you develop a nuanced understanding of how a boutique firm operates within a high-pressure urban environment.
Location: HUGO BOSS Fashions, Inc., New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Paid, $17.00 per hour
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 8 – August 14
Application Deadline: Not specified; candidates are encouraged to apply early as selection from the talent pool is ongoing.
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors at local colleges or universities pursuing a bachelor's degree in real estate, finance, or business.
The HUGO BOSS Summer Internship provides a unique perspective on corporate real estate within the global fashion industry. Based in the New York headquarters, you will support the Director of Real Estate in managing a diverse portfolio of retail and corporate spaces across the United States and Canada. Your responsibilities include maintaining critical lease schedules, running demographic analyses, and preparing area maps to inform strategic expansion decisions. This role is highly quantitative, involving general lease accounting and the preparation of complex financial reports for executive review. By collaborating with international teams on the Sequentra platform, you gain exposure to the administrative and legal rigors of high-end commercial property management.
Location: Cushman & Wakefield, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Paid, $21.25 – $25.00 per hour
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application Deadline: Not specified; early application is recommended for this competitive global internship.
Eligibility: Current undergraduates with at least two years of study completed and a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA.
The Cushman & Wakefield EIC Internship places you at the center of a global leader in commercial real estate services. During this eight-week program, you will act as an integral member of a service line team, gaining deep insights into industry terms, market trends, and regulatory frameworks. Your daily contributions involve gathering and analyzing data to provide strategic advice, tracking project timelines, and generating monthly performance reports. The firm emphasizes your professional growth through structured on-the-job training and direct observation of senior leadership. By resolving complex client issues and completing specialized department projects, you refine the technical skills necessary to thrive in a high-stakes professional environment.
Location: SimpleCITI Companies, Garden City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Applications are currently being accepted; early submission is advised as the position was recently posted.
Eligibility: Candidates with a strong understanding of commercial real estate concepts like NOI and cap rates who possess excellent cold-calling and outreach skills.
The SimpleCITI Companies Commercial Real Estate Sourcing Internship offers you a high-intensity role within a vertically integrated investment platform. Your primary objective is to generate qualified deal flow by identifying industrial and multifamily real estate opportunities that align with the firm's specific investment criteria. You will be responsible for conducting significant outbound outreach to brokers and owners, while also monitoring platforms like CoStar and LoopNet for new listings. This position requires a disciplined approach to pipeline management and CRM maintenance as you transition viable prospects to the underwriting team. By building and managing professional broker relationships, you gain essential experience in the foundational phase of the real estate investment lifecycle.
Location: Bowery Residents’ Committee (BRC), Manhattan, NY
Cost/Stipend: Paid, $20.00 per hour
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Not specified; summer duration
Application Deadline: Applications are currently open for the summer cycle; early submission is recommended.
Eligibility: Students enrolled in an accredited college degree program focusing on real estate development, property management, affordable housing, or sustainability.
The Real Estate Asset Management Internship at BRC provides you with a specialized look into the physical and financial management of a non-profit property portfolio. Under the mentorship of the VP of Asset Management, you will perform site visits to evaluate major building systems and project future capital expenditure requirements for both owned and leased facilities. A significant portion of your role involves managing compliance with New York City building and sustainability local laws, ensuring the portfolio meets modern environmental standards. You will also analyze utility conservation initiatives and prepare a final presentation showcasing the efficacy of these sustainability efforts. This position is ideal if you are interested in how mission-driven organizations maintain high-quality, affordable housing while balancing complex regulatory and financial constraints.
Location: EisnerAmper, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Paid, $28.00 – $38.00 per hour
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer term; typically June through August
Application Deadline: Applications are currently being accepted for the 2026 cycle; early submission is highly recommended.
Eligibility: Bachelor's or Master's students in accounting with a minimum 3.0 GPA and an upcoming graduation date between December and September.
The EisnerAmper Real Estate Accounting Internship places you within the firm's Outsourced Services group to manage multi-entity portfolios for commercial and residential clients. You will be responsible for a wide range of sophisticated financial tasks, including recording mortgage and payroll transactions, performing bank reconciliations, and conducting actual-to-budget variance analyses. Throughout the summer, you will prepare comprehensive monthly financial statement packages for ownership, including profit and loss statements and balance sheets. A key component of this role involves serving as a liaison to external auditors, where you will explain journal entries and provide the necessary research data to ensure timely audit completion. This position offers you technical exposure to job costing schedules and construction draw packages, providing a high-utility foundation for a career in real estate finance.
Location: Hines, Multiple Global Locations (including New York, NY; Houston, TX; and London, UK)
Cost/Stipend: Paid (Estimated competitive hourly rate based on market location)
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 10 weeks during the summer term
Application Deadline: Applications open August 1 and close October 3.
Eligibility: Current college sophomores or juniors with a strong interest in real estate development, investment, or management.
The Hines REDI Internship Program is a highly structured ten-week experience designed to jumpstart your career within a premier global real estate investment firm. Your tenure begins with an intensive Analyst Boot Camp (ABC) week, where you receive foundational training in the firm's culture and essential real estate concepts. Depending on your placement, you will contribute to critical business functions, including ESG initiatives, global ventures, or property management. A central feature of the program is the Capstone Presentation, which requires you to conduct deep-dive research on a real estate topic of your choice and present your findings to senior leadership. To complement your office-based work, the program includes site visits to world-renowned construction projects and regular lunch-and-learn sessions with executive mentors.
Location: Marcus & Millichap, Manhattan, NY (Multiple locations available nationally)
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – July 27
Application Deadline: Applications are currently being accepted for the summer term; early submission is recommended.
Eligibility: Rising college juniors or seniors enrolled at an accredited university and pursuing a real estate major, minor, or active club participation.
The Marcus & Millichap Internship is a highly structured eight-week program designed to immerse you in the day-to-day operations of commercial real estate brokerage. You are assigned to a top-producing agent who serves as a direct mentor, guiding you through the fundamental processes of investment sales and capital markets. The curriculum includes specialized "Marcus & Millichap University" classes covering critical industry modules, including underwriting, business development, and the creation of Broker Price Opinions (BOVs). You will also participate in national sales meetings and in-person role-playing exercises to refine your professional communication and negotiation skills. By assisting in the drafting of offering memorandums and legal contracts, you gain the practical experience necessary to launch a successful career in real estate brokerage.
Location: Beau Box Commercial Real Estate, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, or New Orleans, LA; or Pensacola, FL
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Not specified; flexible based on the academic year and the timing of the state licensing exam.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis via the firm's online portal.
Eligibility: College juniors or seniors who are prepared to study for and take the state Real Estate License Test.
The Beau Box Internship Program is uniquely designed to shepherd you through the transition from a college student to a licensed professional agent. During the initial phase, you are hired to work on active real estate projects while being provided with dedicated office time to study for your licensing exam. Once you successfully pass the test, you move into the Intern to Agent Transition phase, where your hours are adjusted to allow for significant shadowing of senior agents. This second phase includes a 90-day mentorship period during which you follow specific training goals and complete the state-required post-licensure education hours. This program is ideal if you are looking for a clear, supervised pathway into a full-time brokerage career within the Gulf South region.
Location: Hirshmark Capital, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Not specified; summer duration
Application Deadline: Applications are currently being accepted via the firm's career portal; early submission is recommended.
Eligibility: Currently enrolled college students with a passion for commercial real estate and a self-motivated attitude.
The Hirshmark Capital Real Estate Internship provides you with high-level exposure to both property acquisitions and short-term bridge lending. Operating primarily in the five boroughs of New York City, you will assist the acquisitions team by identifying potential investment opportunities and conducting rigorous due diligence. A significant portion of your role involves active market canvassing, where you will use a proprietary database to cold-call property owners and potential borrowers. You will also be responsible for organizing and presenting your findings to senior leadership in detail to aid the decision-making process. By assisting with deal closings, you gain a comprehensive understanding of the legal and financial complexities of high-velocity real estate transactions.
Location: JPMorgan Chase, New York, NY (Multiple locations available, including Chicago, Dallas, and Los Angeles)
Cost/Stipend: Paid (Estimated competitive hourly rate for financial services analysts)
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multi-week program during the summer term
Application Deadline: June 30 for the following summer cycle.
Eligibility: Well-rounded college students with demonstrated interest in real estate and coursework in finance, accounting, or economics.
The JPMorgan Chase Commercial Real Estate Program offers you a sophisticated entry point into the world of institutional real estate finance. As a Summer Analyst, you will rotate through one of three distinct lines of business, learning how large-scale property projects are structured and funded. Your technical training involves building complex financial models, drafting credit approval memos, and preparing professional marketing materials for diverse clients, including investment funds and government agencies. The program begins with an immersive orientation followed by hands-on projects where you work alongside seasoned bankers to analyze market trends. High-performing interns are often fast-tracked for full-time offers, making this an excellent opportunity to secure a career at a leading global financial institution.
Location: Freestone Property Group, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Paid, $20.00 – $25.00 per hour
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer term; dates and schedule are flexible based on candidate availability.
Application Deadline: Not specified; applications are currently being processed for the summer cycle.
Eligibility: Students from various academic backgrounds, including real estate, business, finance, marketing, or urban studies.
The Freestone Property Group Leasing Internship offers you direct exposure to the multifamily residential market across Brooklyn. As a Summer Associate, you will support the entire leasing lifecycle, from managing inbound inquiries on platforms like StreetEasy to coordinating final move-in logistics. Your role involves conducting market research and rent comparables to inform pricing strategies, as well as tracking performance metrics for the firm's portfolio. Because Freestone is a vertically integrated firm, you will collaborate closely with property management and operations teams to ensure unit readiness. This position is ideal if you are looking for a hands-on experience that requires frequent property visits and active communication with prospective tenants.
Location: UDR, Inc., New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer term; usually June through August
Application Deadline: Applications are currently being reviewed; interested candidates should apply immediately while the posting is active.
Eligibility: Currently enrolled college students in good academic standing with a minimum 3.0 GPA and U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.
The UDR Property Operations Internship provides you with a direct look into the management of high-end residential communities. You will be responsible for the full leasing cycle, including conducting tours for prospective residents, explaining community amenities, and using effective sales techniques to close deals. Administrative rigor is a central component of this role, as you will handle financial reporting, process resident applications, and maintain accurate community databases. Beyond office tasks, you will conduct routine site inspections to ensure the property's physical appearance and safety standards meet institutional requirements. This position allows you to develop a strong professional foundation by gathering market data and preparing competitive analyses to help the firm maintain its market position.
Frequently asked questions
What real estate internships are available for college students?
Options include commercial brokerage internships, such as CBRE, Cushman and Wakefield, and Marcus and Millichap; investment and acquisitions internships, such as Hines REDI and Hirshmark Capital; accounting and finance internships, such as EisnerAmper and JPMorgan Chase CRE; corporate real estate internships, such as HUGO BOSS; leasing and property operations internships, such as Freestone Property Group and UDR; nonprofit affordable housing internships, such as BRC, and flexible startup placements, such as Ladder University Internship Program.
Which real estate internships offer the highest compensation?
EisnerAmper Real Estate Accounting Internship pays $28 to $38 per hour, making it the highest-paying option on this list. Cushman and Wakefield pays $21.25 to $25 per hour, Freestone Property Group pays $20 to $25 per hour, BRC pays $20 per hour, and CBRE pays $17 to $17.95 per hour. Hines REDI and JPMorgan Chase CRE also offer competitive market-rate rates.
Which internships are best for students interested in real estate finance or investment?
Students interested in real estate finance might consider JPMorgan Chase CRE for institutional lending and credit analysis, EisnerAmper for multi-entity portfolio accounting and financial reporting, Hines REDI for development and investment analysis with a capstone presentation, and SimpleCITI for deal sourcing and pipeline management in commercial acquisitions.
Are there real estate internships outside New York City?
Yes, Hines REDI offers placements in multiple global locations, including Houston and London. CBRE has offices in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Richmond, and Tysons. Marcus and Millichap has locations available nationally, Beau Box operates in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, New Orleans, and Pensacola, and the Ladder University Internship Program offers fully remote placements.
When should I apply to real estate internships for college students?
Hines REDI closes October 3, making it one of the earliest fall deadlines. CBRE opened applications in late September, and JPMorgan Chase CRE closes June 30 for the following summer cycle. MRG accepts applications from January 15 to April 1, and many other programs, such as Cushman and Wakefield, EisnerAmper, and Ladder, accept rolling applications. Students should begin researching openings in early fall and apply as soon as positions are posted.
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 graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. 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.