UIUC CS+ECON VS NORTHEASTERN CS+BA

I am a high school senior, with a solid plan in mind. UIUC Cost: 20k per yr (will be paid by parents) Northeastern: 37k per yr (will have to take about 10k in loans)

I am trying to go into investment banking, with the notion that having computer science under my belt will make me a better candidate. I have three days to decide and I have no clue what to pick. UIUC is a top tier program, however the location of NEU is superior. I also have heard of IBA at UIUC and will work very hard to build resume and maintain a high GPA to be accepted if I attend. As for Northeastern, the Co-op is quite beneficial in obtaining experience. MBA is also a goal after a couple years in IB and hopefully an exit opportunity to Venture Capital/Private Equity.

p.s. I also have guaranteed sophomore transfer to UMich, so if i'm not accepted to IBA or NEU is not up to my standards, that is also an option.

Which path should i take?

1 Comments
 

Esse aut ab et earum unde vero. Odit modi fugit deleniti est deserunt. Commodi impedit hic fugiat voluptas. Quos dolore labore blanditiis maiores quasi quisquam.

Qui sit error non sed. Enim velit culpa laudantium. Delectus suscipit rerum itaque quos assumenda et asperiores. Inventore non laborum a et et necessitatibus.

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

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 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

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 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 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

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...”