Good PhD Programs

Posting on here b/c I am interested in HFs and Academia would be a third or fourth choice.

I have a business undergrad and ~2yrs on experience in venture/mezz debt. I am exploring a Ph.D. program in finance (or econ if quantitative) in the future (at least 2-years from now.) I am interested in traditional PE (but not sure long term), but the idea of working in HF, lead economist/strategy at a large asset manager, bank, fund, etc. sounds fun and something I would enjoy.

Even during my college years, I found the research side more fun, but I like the challenge of taking a simplified theory and applying it.

Here are some questions I have:

-How is a Ph. D. in finance, acct. or econ looked upon? I have heard that as finance is more practical it opens more doors for private industry afterward.

-In Ph.D. *I have heard *since the thesis is narrow there is a balance between brand name and where you find the right mentorship/research area. How true is this? Any other factors that should be considered?

-If your thesis is not the same as what the firm plays in/what the strategy is, how much of a difference does it make when recruiting? E.g. if your thesis/research was in private credit, but you wanted to get into commodities.

-Do schools have OCR for finance Ph.D.? I would assume not much since most Ph.D. personality types want to stay in academia.

-If not an HF, how many jobs are there in roles at financial institutions?

-Any other Ph. D. programs that would also place well in HF/fin services/institutions?

-Any opinion on the outlook for Ph. D. jobs/demand?

I am not 100% if I will pursue a Ph. D. but I am seriously considering it. My fear isn't the intellectual challenge, but its more of putting a career on hold for ~5years during the early years of my life/general life planning. But I am sure this post will be helpful for many ppl including me.