How much could a Econ PhD earn in industry?

I am a current undergraduate at Columbia and planning to apply for Econ or Finance PhD after graduation.
Both my parents are professors and I took it for granted that i should be a PhD. However, I have little interest in academic career. I have interned in a VC firm, and really want to work in buy side after graduation.
If I could be able to break into a T10 econ or finance program and choose to work in industry, how much could I make in 5 years after graduation? And how could I break into a VC/PE firm?
Thanks for your help!

18 Comments
 

I love do research and I really enjoy a PhD life. However, one of my idol (who is also my mentor) go to industry directly after Econ PhD@Stanford and have achieved huge success. Moreover, my parents are both professors, I was told the importance of knowledge thousands of times since i was born... I know it's hard to understand, but as for me, a PhD degree seems to be an obligation.

 

If I were you I would first attend a grammar course before thinking about any PhD

I was already so far beyond the point of no return that I couldn't remember what it had looked like when I had passed it.
 

Do the math on what an MBA in finance makes vs a PhD in anything. Hell I think the debt a PhD is looking to take on is more than they ever hope to make. Sounds like a waste of time. I guess learning for the sake of learning is its own reward.. LMAO.

 

That is false, most PhDs are swamped with debt from all of their combined schooling. I'm pretty sure the only reason an MBA has for talking to a PhD is when they order a latte at Starbucks.

 
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