nyu stern vs northwestern

commit day is very soon so plz reply fast...

i'm a high school senior who got accepted into both nyu stern and northwestern. i'm looking for something buyside/ib related BUT i also kind of want to explore my options. 

cost is very similar for both, no worries there.

still struggling to choose, what advice do y'all have

2 Comments
 

Based on the WSO threads, here's a breakdown to help you make an informed decision between NYU Stern and Northwestern, especially if you're leaning towards a career in investment banking or the buyside:

  1. NYU Stern's Strength in Finance: NYU Stern is highly regarded for its strong connections to Wall Street and its prime location in New York City. This proximity to major financial institutions offers Stern students numerous networking opportunities, internships, and potential job placements directly in the financial hub.

  2. Northwestern's Broader Academic Flexibility: While Northwestern might not be as centrally located for finance as Stern, it is known for its strong academic programs across various fields. This could be beneficial if you're looking to explore options outside of finance as well.

  3. Recruitment and Job Placement: Both schools are targeted by top firms, but Stern might have a slight edge in finance due to its location and specialized programs. However, Northwestern also sees recruitment from top firms, especially in consulting and other high-end financial services.

  4. Campus Life and Culture: Consider the campus environment and culture. NYU offers a more urban experience with less of a traditional campus, deeply integrated into the city's fabric. Northwestern provides a more traditional collegiate experience with a defined campus and a strong sense of community.

  5. Alumni Network and Long-term Opportunities: Both schools have strong alumni networks. NYU’s network is vast in finance and particularly strong in New York City, which could be advantageous for Wall Street aspirations. Northwestern’s network is broadly strong across various industries and might offer more geographic flexibility.

Given your interest in potentially exploring fields beyond finance, Northwestern could offer more academic flexibility, while NYU Stern provides a focused and robust pathway into finance and investment banking. Consider where your interests lie more heavily and the kind of college experience you wish to have.

Sources: Georgetown MSB vs NYU Stern?, NYU Stern vs UChicago vs Northwestern vs UCLA, What makes NYU so good?, Berkeley Haas vs NYU Stern (Undergrad), Duke/Georgetown MSB/NYU Stern College choices

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Modi animi commodi qui aut tempora rem. Et dolorem et repudiandae necessitatibus nulla consectetur quidem excepturi. Sapiente reiciendis qui eos sunt est et sed provident. Esse consequuntur aut vel saepe quas. Expedita dolore et ut delectus.

Culpa dignissimos quia saepe aliquam nihil iste. Perferendis eveniet ipsum adipisci optio qui eveniet autem. Vel voluptatem odit est assumenda eos labore ipsam tempora. Repudiandae quasi et culpa quo omnis cum. Quo voluptatem reiciendis id qui et.

Et incidunt aut occaecati dolores molestiae corporis tempore. Recusandae deleniti architecto minima similique velit aut. Eos labore ex quae iste. Velit facilis ut sunt qui delectus. Occaecati eos et eos amet.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • 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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”