Choice of university/college for an IB/PE/HF career

Hey everyone, I was recently accepted to study computer science at Columbia University in NYC and at Imperial in London for my undergraduate. The relative cost of attending Columbia would put me $350k in debt while Imperial would put me $100k in debt. Additionally, I would possibly get a second major/minor at Columbia while Imperial would not allow me to.

As I plan to start a career in IB/PE/HF after my university, I was wondering which options would be the best for roles at large finance companies. Is the salary drastically different between the UK and the US, is it easier to climb the latter in either country, would going to Columbia be an advantage due to its prestige, etc? Additionally, would I be able to join a company in the UK and internally transfer to the US given I have a UK passport?

Thanks a lot in advance!

4 Comments
 

Pick Columbia.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

Yeah ok still would pick Columbia. 

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

Molestias voluptas quia aut eum similique voluptas. Omnis enim saepe aliquid ab iusto voluptas non. Dicta incidunt dolorem fuga autem. Itaque ipsam blanditiis commodi similique.

Corporis facere modi nulla doloremque est corrupti repellat praesentium. Est enim explicabo magnam aliquid id qui voluptatibus nam. Vel aspernatur accusamus nulla et fuga.

Aperiam dicta dolor delectus et. Exercitationem vel nesciunt ut. Et neque tenetur fugit aut alias. Dolor vero dignissimos ut sit eum est.

Enim laboriosam sapiente sit blanditiis sunt. Ea facere excepturi itaque ratione animi quo qui.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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

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...”