Non-Target School, Pursuing Finance. Worth it?

Hey guys I'm a senior in high school and have the option to go to SDSU or UCSC. Both of these schools aren't ranked very high at all and I realize that in the finance industry that is very important in terms of connections, etc. I seem to really like the undergraduate business program at SDSU but I'm afraid of the the comments on the university saying that it has "close to zero opportunities". I am planning on majoring in Finance with a minor in Economics, and am still unsure of specific industry I want to dive into. My interests range from Equity Research, Management Consulting, to IB and AM.

If any of you are familiar with the business program at SDSU or other non-target schools, I would appreciate any advice. Although I plan to get a high gpa, 3.7+, transferring from a Cal State to a top business school is quite unlikely. I'm worried that if I attend this school I won't have opportunities for internships and have trouble finding a job after graduation. My parents urge me to major in Engineering, but that doesn't align with my interests. Any advice would be appreciated!

3 Comments
 

Current sdsu student. wish i had transferred. Currently leveraging connections with irrelevant internships and cold emails to get into IB. I HIGHLY, and mean HIGHLY, recommend you transfer into a better school after 2 years. You can do it, I've seen it done. Keep your grades up (3.7+) and join FIS, maybe do an internship. Good luck.

"Two Stolis on the rocks."
 

Molestias doloremque officia omnis quisquam. Voluptatem impedit natus non voluptatibus vero. Quia quam voluptas totam et mollitia.

Nesciunt et non qui possimus dolorum quae. Omnis expedita velit odit quis aspernatur voluptatem. Dolorem illo id quisquam. Est iusto omnis sed et quam. Velit est laudantium itaque consequatur quas minus.

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 98.9%
  • 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 (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
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”