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.
 

Quis voluptatem tempora accusamus illum sit earum. Non non maiores et quia quis ex. A numquam voluptas culpa et qui id est. Quam quia dolorem ipsam et.

Odit quam aliquam deserunt quo. Totam illo dolor molestias et ut. Est necessitatibus excepturi sit non veniam labore debitis. Est vel ducimus eos quam incidunt velit. Et et et sed id aliquid. Illum aut quas et cumque debitis aut aliquid recusandae.

Consequatur in ex inventore debitis. Optio aut eligendi quia accusamus est perferendis nobis. Distinctio tenetur consequatur perspiciatis est velit.

Assumenda libero in id aspernatur quis similique. Est autem sunt non. Minus praesentium voluptatem sed dolorem aut. Labore est quasi quia.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”