Duke vs. Princeton

Sorry for another one of these types of threads, but I'm stuck deciding between these two schools. Both are affordable, so money isn't really a concern. I'll probably be majoring in Economics.

Princeton has grade deflation and a huge mandatory senior thesis, both of which sort of turn me off from the school. And I talked to a lot of the kids there, and I get the impression that it's a really stressful place for anyone. Duke seems like it has a much more vibrant social scene, and I liked the people there a lot more whenever I visited. Compared to most of the people I go to school with, I party a lot. I definitely plan to tone it down some and work harder once I get to college, but I feel like I'd fit in better with the culture at Duke. I like watching sports, and I like all the school spirit that the school has. Do the opportunities on Wall Street garnered by a Princeton diploma justify choosing it over Duke? Are there elite firms that recruit at Princeton but not Duke?

11 Comments
 

Go where you like the culture. Recruitment between these two is like tossing a coin. If you've been on this site long enough, you know what to do; and granted you start early enough, you'll be perfectly fine.

Seems like you've made up your mind with Duke.

I think- therefore I fuck
 

Princeton has the most beautiful campus ive ever visited. Take that for what you will.

Id be ecstatic to spend 4 years there.

I'd rather die than be average and chances are I might
 

I just have to say, Princeton's campus and surrounding neighborhoods are truly gorgeous. OP, Princeton is the number one ranked undergraduate university in America. Their students also have the added benefit of being close to New York City which makes recruiting relatively pain free. You are really getting the absolute best of all worlds -- education, campus, environment, and prestige (the dreaded "P word" on these boards, it seems). OP, you would be making a dreadful decision by choosing Duke over Princeton.

 

Both schools are obviously excellent and you can go anywhere with degrees from either one. Don't choose Princeton because some people perceive it to be better, pick the school that is the best fit for you.

Duke is one of the best academic schools with amazing sports, Greek Life, and good recruiting as well.

 

Et autem vel voluptatum rerum quas. Maxime tempora perspiciatis in consectetur excepturi est dolorem. Fugit nulla totam sed. Officia voluptatem qui quibusdam voluptatem et voluptatum blanditiis. Quibusdam vel unde aliquid voluptates vel debitis.

Quo tempora qui quo. Atque autem sequi perspiciatis facilis maiores enim iusto. Sunt voluptatem beatae voluptas et iste. Neque recusandae maxime fuga voluptates ipsa.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”