PE Analyst Programs

Hello, just wondering if anyone has a list of firms that hire analysts straight out of undergrad and participate in FT recruiting (after 3rd yr summer). Specifically looking at MF and UMM. Thanks!

Also, I have heard that SL got rid of their analyst program. Can anyone confirm?

20 Comments
 

KKR: PE (divided into TMT, Industrials, C/R across Menlo, NY), Credit, Growth Equity

Blackstone: Generalist, NY; Credit; Tac Opps

Warburg: no intern program, analysts divided into Tech, Tech buyout, IBS, etc in NY

Bain: Generalist with sector rotation program in tech, HC, etc in Boston; Credit; Growth Equity

Vista: Software (generalist btw buyout and growth equity) in SF, Chicago, Austin

Ares: PE and Credit in LA

FP: Tech focused in SF, only started program a few years ago, takes 2 a year

BDT: Merchant bank in Chicago

GA/Insight/Summit: almost all sourcing vs diligence focused

My advice (for learning and career optionality) would be to only go for the buyout groups of the above. The credit/growth equity jobs will be relatively less analysis and limit future opportunities.

 
Most Helpful

Strongly disagree with the notion that you should only go to these firms to do buyout. Almost all the MFs have built out other successful strategies that offer just as good of careers as the buyout groups (important to note that I’m not saying all the other strategies at all MFs are great; there are some bad ones too, so you have to do your diligence. But the idea that you shouldn’t go to Blackstone to do growth or Bain to do special situations/credit is ridiculous)

 

Curious to hear the forum’s thoughts if they would take any of these offers over IB? Is that the move nowadays esp given the competitiveness of on cycle and the greater exits from a PE analyst program (same potential PE exits, along with ability to immediately enter HF VC etc)

 

Also would just note that getting your foot in the door via the analyst program at one of the above mentioned firms is so much more important than which group you're a part of. I started as an analyst in growth equity at one of these firms and now switched to a more buyout focused team, all while staying in the same firm and never having to recruit (very easy process to switch too, fwiw).

 

How hard is it to land an analyst role in PE (at a known fund) straight from undergrad?

 

Hard. But get easier if you diverse + super target + did SA at a group that they would’ve targeted for on cycle anyways

 

We hire 3-4 analysts per year (MM/UMM) and it is highly competitive. Usually kids with 1-2 legit SA roles and honestly of the last class I think all had 4.0s except one kid with a 3.9 double major (finance/math). One was “non-target.” We care more about a demonstrated track record of success/intellect (ie the emphasis is on those SA roles and grades, less so school) because it’s quite the risk hiring analysts.


Think we have a really good program, though. Formal training is provided and they get paired with an associate mentor.

 

Ea quam odio laboriosam dolor. In sit laudantium repellendus et. Vel culpa ut quos. Cumque id perspiciatis perspiciatis velit.

Libero temporibus laborum inventore in illum et quam. Est quae corrupti fugiat. Qui nam fuga sapiente dolor. Veritatis laborum provident quasi qui tenetur. Aut ut reiciendis at dignissimos distinctio quos.

Quidem aut quo eius ut. Aut earum et vel. Consectetur qui et blanditiis cumque illum consectetur.

Dolores et necessitatibus dolores incidunt mollitia ut. Facere ab et qui dolores similique et. Odit quas ut voluptatem et sequi.

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%
  • Bain Capital 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%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 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 (355) $62
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
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”