For those aspiring to build careers with some of the world's most dynamic and renowned companies, Vault’s annual ranking of the Most Prestigious Internships provides valuable insights into the best places to gain experience and provide an essential boost to their future career prospects.
The 2025 Vault ranking reflects a wide range of industries, from tech and finance to government and sports, with each program offering unique opportunities for personal and professional growth. While the list spans a range of functions and includes areas like animation and engineering, the majority of the internships included are in divisions typically of interest to business school students.
Some of the top companies included in the list include consultancies such as McKinsey, sports associations such as the NBA, and tech companies including Google, Apple, and Microsoft—all highly popular firms among business school students.
To compile its list, each year Vault surveys thousands of both current and former interns, quizzing them on how they would rate their own internship experience as well as the prestige of other employers. Each company is then attributed a score out of 10, with the highest scores earning a spot among the list of the most prestigious internships.
So, here’s a closer look at the best internships when it comes to prestige, and what sets them apart, according to Vault.
Best internships for 2025: Vault
25. NBA Internship Program
2024 Ranking: 18
Coming 25th in Vault’s ranking is the National Basketball Association (NBA) internship which scores 8.065. A non-traditional option when it comes to careers after business school, interns on the NBA program join a world-renowned sports organization and gain experience in business operations, marketing, and event planning, making it a perfect fit for students interested in sports management.
Internships last for 10 weeks and interns participate in events and activities that allow them to learn how the business of the NBA really works.
24. NFL Internship Program
2024 Ranking: 18
Another US sports organization, the NFL also dropped slightly to 24th this year, with a score of 8.065. This internship program provides opportunities to contribute to the organization's success while receiving a behind-the-scenes learning experience.
Interns work within specific departments and gain exposure to the business of professional football through speaker presentations, hands-on assignments and networking opportunities.
23. Disney Animation Studios Internships
2024 Ranking: 17
For 2025, Disney Animation Studios dropped to 23rd from 17th among this list of the best internships, with a score of 8.072. Offering both a Talent Development Program and Art & Production internships, Disney’s program appeals to students who are looking to work for a world-renowned organization and who are passionate about animation and visual storytelling, providing hands-on experience in design and production.
22. Netflix Internship Program
2024 Ranking: Not Ranked
New to this best internships ranking at 22nd, Netflix’s internship scored 8.075. This 12-week program includes roles in software engineering, data science, and marketing, giving interns a firsthand look at the company’s unique culture and commitment to storytelling and innovation.
21. Bain & Company Summer Associate Program
2024 Ranking: 30
For the 2025 list, Bain leapt up the ranking to 21st, scoring 8.120. Known for its collegial culture, Bain offers internships that immerse students in consulting projects with close mentorship, offering one of the more traditional post-business school pathways on this list.
Through real casework, interns gain a thorough understanding of a client’s operations, industry, and the business challenges it faces. From participating in board meetings to team meetings, interns will get a first-hand look at every side of life at the consulting company.
READ: What’s It Like Working At McKinsey, Bain And BCG?
20. Amazon Internship Programs
2024 Ranking: 22
Big tech company Amazon rose slightly for this year's list to rank 20th overall, with a score of 8.276. At Amazon, interns take on complex and challenging projects that directly contribute to Amazon’s customer-centric goals and impact customers.
The internship consists of a strategic project that is data intensive, analytical, centered on a real business issue, and representative of a full-time role. Interns will have ownership of a high-profile project where they will partner with key business groups and clients.
19. Deloitte LLP Internship
2024 Ranking: 16
Deloitte moved to 19th in this list of the best internships for 2025, with a score of 8.289. Deloitte interns gain experience in technology, business, finance, human capital, social change, or innovation. They work on real client projects and gain insights into Deloitte’s wide-reaching impact.
The program is ideal for students with strong analytical skills and a desire to solve complex business challenges.
18. Tesla Internship Program
2024 Ranking: 11
Tesla’s internship program dropped to 18th in this ranking, achieving a score of 8.342, according to Vault. Tesla offers experience in engineering, product design, and production. Interns contribute to projects across cutting-edge technologies depending on the company’s current hiring needs, but most often include critical path projects and hands-on involvement.
Interns and co-ops have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects to help advance the company’s overall goals, and are expected to perform at the same level as a full-time employee.
17. Dow Jones Internship
2024 Ranking: 14
Dow Jones came 17th in the list, with a score of 8.349. Known for its news and media opportunities, this program is tailored for students interested in media. Business school students who are interested can find opportunities to join a team such as marketing, HR, or technology with other students as well as team professionals.
At the end of the summer, intern teams take on a summer business competition where they create a solution for a pressing issue and present their results to real Dow Jones executives.
16. Intel Internship Program
2024 Ranking: 24
In this ranking of the best internships according to prestige, Intel climbed from 24th to 16th, scoring 8.382 overall. One for the more technically-minded, Intel’s program offers interns responsibility on impactful projects in hardware, software, and AI development.
Interns earn many of the benefits available to full-time employees, including real-world experience with leading-edge technologies, competitive salaries, networking with Intel managers and executives, access to Intel University classes for professional and personal development, and consideration for full-time employment after graduation.
READ: What Are The Highest Paying MBA Jobs?
15. Bloomberg Global Summer Internship Program
2024 Ranking: 23
Bloomberg made an impressive leap from 23rd to 15th, scoring 8.399. This program is popular among finance and tech students, who gain experience in areas including analytics and sales, customer support, engineering, and global data.
After training, interns start contributing to projects immediately. Managers will give constructive feedback and career advice throughout, and interns also have access to work seminars and cultural and philanthropic events.
14. McKinsey Summer Analyst & Associate Programs
2024 Ranking: 8
Typically one of the most popular companies among business school students, McKinsey slipped out of the top 10 to 14th in this list of the best internships, with a score of 8.486.
Known for its rigorous, high-impact projects, McKinsey’s internship provides students with valuable consulting experience. Interns work on challenging client cases, honing skills in analysis, communication, and strategy.
Past associates say their time at McKinsey offered “unparalleled opportunity” to "engage with clients, build out deliverables, [and] brainstorm with partners" in a company whose name "opens up basically every door in the world".
13. Berkshire Hathaway Internship Program
2024 Ranking: 15
Rising slightly to 13th with a score of 8.523, Berkshire Hathaway’s internship appeals to students interested in business strategy and corporate management. The company offers internships for a range of different functions, including accounting and finance, actuarial science, claim operation, marketing, IT systems and programming, legal, and underwriting.
While working alongside top professionals in these areas, interns gain insight into the operations of a major holding company.
12. Meta Internship Programs
2024 Ranking: 11
Almost holding steady at 12th, Meta’s internship scored 8.601 in the list of most prestigious internships for 2025. As a leader in social networking technology, Meta provides interns with opportunities to contribute in a number of areas such as electro-mechanicals, computational imaging, and research. The program is fast-paced and focuses on hands-on learning, problem solving, and networking with some of the top minds in tech.
11. SpaceX Internship Program
2024 Ranking: 7
When it comes to the best and most prestigious internships, SpaceX ranks 11th this year with a score of 8.631. Known for innovation in aerospace, SpaceX offers a high-intensity environment where interns gain real-world engineering experience, from rocket design to launch preparation.
Interns will be tasked with taking on direct roles in major projects, including the design, development, testing, and manufacture of spaceflight technology. For b-school students, there are also opportunities to participate in the company’s day-to-day business operations.
READ: BlackRock Careers: MBA Recruiter Tells You How To Get Hired!
10. BlackRock Summer Analyst Program
2024 Ranking: 13
BlackRock’s program lands itself in the top 10 this year with a score of 8.660. This internship is ideal for finance enthusiasts, offering an eight-week deep dive into asset management and investment. Interns will have real-world responsibilities throughout the summer, in addition to professional development, networking and social events.
Interns gain valuable experience and develop key skills for financial careers, making this an ideal program for financially-minded b-school students.
9. IBM Internship Programs
2024 Ranking: 19
In the 2025 best internships list, IBM made a significant leap, reflecting a growing reputation for its internships program as it achieved a score of 8.666. IBM’s global reach allows interns to join a network of scientists, engineers, and business professionals, while engaging in real projects and developing relevant professional and scientific skills.
8. Morgan Stanley Summer Analyst & Associate Programs
2024 Ranking: 6
Morgan Stanley scored 8.710 in 2025, slipping slightly in the list. Interns at Morgan Stanley gain exposure across fields like technology, investment banking, and wealth management, with flexible programs designed to match individual career interests.
7. JP Morgan Internship Programs
2024 Ranking: 10
With a score of 8.832, JP Morgan’s programs continue to offer an immersive experience. Interns are exposed to a range of career opportunities within the firm, combining hands-on work with training, networking, and building relationships with senior leaders with the global financial powerhouse.
The bank hires most of the full-time analysts and associates from its intern class, so interns may find themselves returning to school with a full-time offer.
6. CIA Internship Program
2024 Ranking: 9
The CIA climbs up the rank in 2025 with a score of 8.869, offering an unmatched experience for students interested in intelligence and national security. The CIA’s internship encourages diverse skill sets, giving interns a chance to dive into real intelligence issues and develop solutions through a number of possible roles.
READ: What Are The Most Prestigious Companies To Work For?
5. Goldman Sachs Global Summer Internship
2024 Ranking: 5
Goldman Sachs continues to rank highly among the best internships, earning a score of 9.010. Interns in this program gain a front-row seat to financial innovation, with hands-on experience through the company’s Summer Associate program. Interns will receive division-specific training and join the team on real, meaningful projects.
Goldman’s internship prioritizes professional development opportunities and high exposure to financial markets, making it a great fit for business school students looking to kickstart their careers in finance.
4. Microsoft Engineering Internships
2024 Ranking: 3
Microsoft’s internship program holds steady in the top five most prestigious internship programs according to Vault, with a score of 9.094. Known for its ambitious goals in cloud and AI technologies, Microsoft offers interns the opportunity to engage in critical work and exciting projects, guided by mentors from across the Microsoft team.
Best internships for 2025: Top 3
3. Apple Summer Internship Program
2024 Ranking: 4
Apple moved up a spot to third place this year, achieving an overall score of 9.191. Apple interns are valued as essential team members and encouraged to bring innovative ideas to the table. The program aligns with Apple’s culture of excellence, pushing interns to achieve their full potential while contributing to cutting-edge projects.
Apple emphasizes collaboration and networking and there are programs available in business, marketing, and financial development—ideal fits for b-school students looking to enter the technology sector—as well as software or hardware engineering.
2. Google Internship Program
2024 Ranking: 2
Google’s internship program scored 9.397, earning it a spot as the second most prestigious internship for the second year in a row. Internship positions at Google range across areas, from software engineering to sales, finance, HR, and advertising.
The various programs are fast-paced and interns get all the Google perks—company lectures, a mentor, intern events (such as a night at the theater, rock-climbing, bowling or a cruise), and continuous training during their stay at the Googleplex.
1. NASA OSTEM Internship Program
2024 Ranking: 1
With a Vault score of 9.417, NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) internship remains the gold standard for those looking to take part in the best internships for 2025. The program offers students the chance to work directly with NASA engineers and scientists.
NASA’s OSTEM internship builds on the agency's unique missions and programs to expand and diversify the future STEM workforce. Whether remote or on-site, interns dive into real-world STEM challenges that foster innovative problem-solving skills and prepare them for advanced careers in science and technology.
