LSE vs Tulane Undergrad for IB/PE

Hello everyone,

So I got into LSE undergrad for BSc Financial Mathematics and Statistics, where I have to pay 100k Pounds + Cost of living 

I also got into Tulane on a full tuition scholarship where my total cost of attendance would be only the living expenses 

I got into University of Richmond for Business + Mathematical Economics, and Fordham for Mathematics and Economcis too with both on full tuition scholarships, but I do not think they're at the same level is tulane.

I want to work in the country where I go to uni as I'm an international, and I heard that people aren't really getting jobs from LSE if they're international.

Am I crazy for considering tulane over it for both jobs and for money saving?

What to Choose?

LSE
59% (16 votes)
Tulane
33% (9 votes)
University of Richmond
0% (0 votes)
Fordham
7% (2 votes)
Total votes: 27
4 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's what you need to consider:

  1. LSE's Prestige and Placement: LSE is a globally recognized brand, especially for finance-related fields. It has a strong reputation for placing students into top-tier investment banking (IB) and private equity (PE) roles, particularly in Europe. However, as an international student, securing a job in the UK post-graduation can be challenging due to visa restrictions. If you aim to work in the UK, you'll need to be proactive in networking and securing internships early.

  2. Tulane's Value Proposition: With a full tuition scholarship, Tulane offers a significant financial advantage. While it may not have the same global prestige as LSE, it has a solid reputation in the U.S., particularly in the South. If your goal is to work in the U.S., Tulane could provide a more straightforward path to employment, especially since you won't face the same visa hurdles as in the UK.

  3. Cost Considerations: The financial difference is substantial. LSE would cost you over £100k plus living expenses, while Tulane would only require covering living costs. If you plan to pursue a career in IB/PE, where salaries are high, the debt from LSE could be manageable, but it’s still a significant burden compared to Tulane's cost advantage.

  4. Job Market Realities: If you want to work in the country where you study, Tulane might be the safer bet for the U.S. job market. LSE's international reputation is strong, but visa challenges and the competitive UK job market for internationals could make it harder to secure a role there.

  5. Long-Term Goals: If your ultimate goal is to work in IB/PE in the U.S., Tulane might align better with your aspirations. However, if you’re drawn to the prestige and global opportunities that LSE offers, and you’re confident in your ability to navigate the UK job market, LSE could be worth the investment.

In summary, you're not crazy for considering Tulane over LSE. The decision hinges on your financial situation, career goals, and willingness to navigate visa challenges. If saving money and working in the U.S. are priorities, Tulane is a strong choice. If you value LSE's prestige and are prepared for the challenges of the UK job market, LSE could be worth the investment.

Sources: One day to decide: US or UK?, LSE Worth it?, International Student - Chance of getting an IBD internship in London?, European Master in Finance programmes (pre-experience), Profile Evaluation: MSc in Finance at LBS, LSE, Imperial, Said or MIT

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

Not crazy. UK recruiting is very random and if you don’t have work visa privileges it gets hard even with the graduate visa. If you hustle from Tulane you can land something, I have friends there that are going to a lower tier BB, strong MMs (think Jeff/RJ/HW) and some respectable Euro/Canadian banks. If you’re a networker, it won’t help you in the UK anywhere near as much as it would if you were in the US.

I would rethink the thought that Fordham is a big step below Tulane tho, I mean i’d probably go to Tulane due to lifestyle reasons etc but Fordham is good and is in NYC which makes networking easier. COL obv way higher tho

 

Thank you for the suggestion! As for Fordham, my brother goes there, and he told me that Tulane would be better for opportunities, especially because I got honors too, along with full flexibility with my major and special privileges due to the type of scholarship I got.
Do you think LSE would allow me to break to IB in USA if UK work visa doesn't work out, like is the brand name big enough? Because someone told me that LSE = HYPSM of UK.

 

Ut vero voluptatum corporis consequatur. Repellendus sed sed et quae officiis a. Voluptates maxime error porro asperiores a. Illo aliquam temporibus molestiae.

Quo amet ut corporis. Molestias eius dolore dolores voluptatibus provident magnam occaecati. Consequatur quisquam et accusamus odio totam sit et.

Impedit molestiae distinctio quibusdam magni. Autem necessitatibus omnis nemo omnis blanditiis et. Illum amet rem eius ullam nulla necessitatibus eum. Ut ab ut aliquid voluptatum.

A voluptas optio iusto velit assumenda ea labore. Velit ex explicabo et aut ratione voluptas sunt.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (98) $365
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (356) $61
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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”