is CS at Columbia prestigious?

Ah, the age-old question of prestige and placement in the finance world! While the context here doesn't specifically mention Columbia University or its Computer Science (CS) program, I can swing from the branches of wisdom to give you a general idea based on the most helpful WSO content.

In the realm of finance, especially in investment banking (IB), the school's prestige and the network it offers can indeed play a significant role in landing those coveted positions. Schools traditionally known for their strong finance or business programs, like those in the Ivy League (which includes Columbia), tend to have a good reputation among finance professionals.

As for majors, while finance, economics, and business degrees are often seen as direct pathways into finance roles, technical majors like Computer Science are increasingly valued for their analytical rigor and the technical skills they impart. This is especially true in areas like quantitative finance, fintech, and even traditional IB roles where technology plays a growing role.

To give you a bit of a ranking insight based on placements, especially in IB:

1. Target Schools: These are the schools that banks actively recruit from. Ivy League schools, including Columbia, along with others like Stanford, MIT, and Duke, are often considered target schools. Majors in business, economics, and increasingly, STEM fields like engineering and computer science, are highly regarded.

2. Semi-Target Schools: These schools might not have the same level of on-campus recruiting presence but still see a good number of their graduates landing roles in finance. This category can include top public universities and smaller private colleges with strong business or economics programs.

3. Non-Target Schools: Schools that do not have a strong on-campus recruiting presence from top finance firms. However, standout students from any major can still break into finance with the right networking, internships, and preparation.

In summary, while finance cares about the school to a certain extent, it's also about what you make of your education, how you network, and the experiences you gain. For a CS major at Columbia, leveraging the school's prestige, networking opportunities, and combining technical skills with finance knowledge could be a powerful combination for breaking into finance. Remember, it's not just the major or the school, but the individual's drive and how they utilize their resources that truly counts.

Sources: Canadian Target Schools Ranked By Detailed Global Placement Data, Canadian Target Schools Ranked By Detailed Global Placement Data, Ranking LACs by placements.