NEED HELP UT VS NYU

Trying to decide between New York University (NYU) Econ (with Math or CS) vs University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) Econ and wanted some honest input on placement.

Goal is to go into finance. I am interested in things like IB, asset management, private equity, quant/trading, maybe hedge funds or other high-paying finance roles. I know these are all pretty competitive and not guaranteed, but ideally I would want something that can grow into the 300k range over time.

At NYU I would likely do Econ + Math or Econ + CS, and Econ there is in CAS. At UT, Econ is in liberal arts, and I am not sure how much that affects perception or recruiting.

I have also heard from a lot of students and alumni that it is relatively easy to switch internally at NYU, but I am not sure how that compares to UT since it is a public school. At UT I would have to switch into the major, but I do have in-state tuition there.

I have heard mixed things about UT Econ placement and even general finance placement compared to top private schools, while NYU seems to benefit from being in NYC and closer to recruiting. ( PS: From what I have seen, at NYU it seems easier to combine Econ with Math or CS since they are all within CAS and they r not as competitive)

Main thing I am trying to understand is which actually places better into finance roles overall. Is there a noticeable difference between NYU Econ vs UT Econ for recruiting, or is it mostly what you make of it?

Just trying to be realistic about outcomes and pick the better option for placement, so would appreciate any honest takes.

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WSO Monkey Bot

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When comparing NYU Econ (with Math or CS) and UT Austin Econ for finance placement, here are the key insights based on the most helpful WSO content:

NYU (Econ + Math/CS)

Proximity to Finance Opportunities: NYU benefits significantly from its location in NYC, the heart of the finance world. This proximity allows for easier access to internships during the school year, networking events, and direct exposure to Wall Street firms.
Recruiting Advantage: NYU Stern is a well-known feeder into finance roles, and while you're in CAS (not Stern), the overall NYU brand and alumni network in NYC can still provide strong opportunities. Combining Econ with Math or CS can also make you more competitive for quant/trading or technical finance roles.
Internal Transfers: It is relatively easier to switch internally at NYU compared to UT, which could give you flexibility if you decide to pivot to Stern or another major.
Cost Consideration: NYU is significantly more expensive, and unless you have substantial financial aid, the debt burden could be a factor to weigh against the potential salary outcomes.

UT Austin (Econ)

In-State Tuition: UT Austin offers a much more affordable option for in-state students, which could leave you with less financial pressure post-graduation.
Finance Placement: UT Austin has a strong finance community, particularly through McCombs and organizations like the Investment Banking Association. However, Econ being in the liberal arts school may slightly limit your access to these resources compared to McCombs students.
Regional Placement: UT places heavily into Houston and Dallas for energy finance and regional IB roles. While NYC placement is possible, it is less common compared to NYU.
Competition: At UT, you’ll face stiff competition from McCombs students for top finance roles. However, if you can network effectively and leverage UT’s resources, you can still break into high-paying finance roles.

Key Considerations

Placement into Finance Roles: NYU has a clear edge for NYC-based finance roles due to its location and alumni network. UT Austin is strong regionally but may require more effort to break into NYC or other national finance hubs.
Cost vs. ROI: UT Austin’s in-state tuition makes it a more cost-effective choice, especially if you’re concerned about taking on debt. However, NYU’s location and networking opportunities could justify the higher cost if you’re targeting NYC finance roles.
Major Flexibility: NYU’s CAS structure makes it easier to combine Econ with Math or CS, which could open doors to more technical finance roles. At UT, switching majors might be more challenging.

Final Thoughts

If your primary goal is to maximize placement into NYC finance roles and you can manage the cost, NYU is the better option. However, if minimizing debt is a priority and you’re open to starting your career in Texas or other regional markets, UT Austin offers excellent value and strong finance placement opportunities, especially through McCombs-related resources. Ultimately, success in finance will depend heavily on your networking, internships, and academic performance, regardless of the school you choose.

Sources: UT vs USC vs Vanderbilt vs Emory for Undergrad, The Comprehensive List of Transfer Friendly Schools For Investment Banking, UT Austin Business Honors vs. NYU Stern (Urgent- not lying about that), Rice University vs. UT Austin McCombs Undergraduate

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