Private Equity Ranking (2021)

In advance of 2021 cycle, I wanted to help bankers think through the best buyside funds to join this year. This is how I would prioritize my recruiting efforts, Ranked by prestige / exit opps / HSW placement:

  1. Blackstone;
  2. Apollo;
  3. H&F;
  4. Silver Lake;
  5. Carlyle;
  6. Thoma Bravo;
  7. KKR;
  8. Warburg Pincus;
  9. Bain Cap;
  10. Vista;
  11. Advent;
  12. TPG;
  13. Permira;
  14. Ares;
  15. Genstar.

There’s plenty of great shops out there but if you end up at these top 15 you should be fine for MBA/ lateral processes at more niche opps down the road.

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GS_Associate

In advance of 2021 cycle, I wanted to help bankers think through the best buyside funds to join this year. This is how I would prioritize my recruiting efforts, Ranked by prestige / exit opps / HSW placement:

  1. Blackstone;
  2. Apollo;
  3. H&F;
  4. Silver Lake;
  5. Carlyle;
  6. Thoma Bravo;
  7. KKR;
  8. Warburg Pincus;
  9. Bain Cap;
  10. Vista;
  11. Advent;
  12. TPG;
  13. Permira;
  14. Ares;
  15. Genstar.

There's plenty of great shops out there but if you end up at these top 15 you should be fine for MBA/ lateral processes at more niche opps down the road.

Cool story bro

 

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Career Advancement Opportunities

September 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

September 2026 Private Equity

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

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 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%

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September 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (106) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (414) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (273) $126
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (356) $61
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