Lateral vs MBA? Does UG Prestige Matter For Laterals?

I’m currently trying to decide between trying to lateral into IB from the Big Four (I’m interviewing for a transfer to a valuations role right now; currently in tax compliance) or doing an MBA and entering as a post-MBA associate. First, I’m curious to hear people’s thoughts on which they would choose or how preferable one option is over the other. I think the MBA is definitely the more certain route of the two, but given my current situation in life I’d be willing to trade some certainty to avoid student loans and time away from work. Second, do banks care about UG prestige when looking at lateral hires? I have a bachelors in accounting from a no-name liberal arts school in the Midwest. Would that be a big negative or would it matter less for someone lateraling from the Big Four? 

 

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