MBA: NYU Stern ($$$$) vs. Cornell Johnson ($$)

Hi all,

I was admitted to NYU (with a full tuition scholarship) and Cornell (with a 50% scholarship).

My post MBA goal is to work 2-3 years in IB in NYC and, then, go back to my home country (in Europe).

It's a tough decision even if, overall, I think NYU would be a better option.

Here is why I would choose NYU: - Location: I love NYC while I think I might get bored at Ithaca; - Full tuition scholarship. However, life is less expensive at Ithaca and if I negociate, I might get a full scholarship at Cornell (I am not very confident about that); - Stern is very strong in IB; - In my opinion, Stern is more selective and stronger than Johnson (but Cornell > NYU); - If I change my mind about IB, there would be more networking opportunity to find another job in NYC during the 2nd year.

However, Cornell has many advantages: - It is also quite strong in IB. Less competition with other students to get interviews; - If I can manage to get a full scholarship, it would be less expensive than NYU; - It's Ivy League, so maybe more benefits over the long term? - Maybe better than Stern in consulting if I change my mind (not sure about this); - I guess that relationships with students (and alumni) are stronger than NYU.

I would love to have your input. Do you think that, with a long term view, it's better to go to an Ivy League university? Though I would say that, in my home country NYU and Cornell have about the same reputation.

Thanks for your help!

7 Comments
 

Full ride to Stern and you want IB? Take it. Absolutely no reason to go Cornell here. None. Nothing in your list of Cornell advantages is particularly valuable enough to make this a tough decision.

Go to NYU and enjoy your Summer.

 

Those poor bastards from Cornell had to drag their asses down to the city every friday for informationals then retake all their missed classes from Friday on Sunday. We would always run into them while waiting for coffee chats and hear about having to catch a 5 hr bus back to Ithaca - woof.

NYU with full ride? Not even a close decision. Go live in Greenwich Village for 2 years and have the time of your live. Unless of course you really want to work for Guggenheim because they import Cornellies (Cornellos?) by the truckload.

Array
 

Omnis asperiores inventore dignissimos sapiente sed veniam. Necessitatibus optio voluptas delectus reiciendis voluptatem labore. Et veritatis veritatis aspernatur nisi ex exercitationem ut. Vel labore aut sed expedita et molestiae.

Eius officiis ratione aperiam aliquid. Qui numquam veniam eos tempora et ut. Et sint officiis vero voluptatem. Aut deserunt in nobis deleniti. Suscipit ut aperiam molestiae necessitatibus doloremque sed delectus. Doloribus ut voluptatem velit consequatur qui vel dolorum.

 

Dignissimos sit asperiores quia odio id voluptatem consequatur tempora. Blanditiis aut soluta necessitatibus aut. Cumque id omnis voluptatem unde doloremque. Dolore error occaecati saepe architecto possimus aut ad consequatur.

Saepe est non fugiat dicta. Libero aut at debitis corrupti sed enim dolorum. Error voluptatibus expedita dolor earum porro nulla. Et explicabo quod quia. Ullam commodi molestias rem architecto voluptatem temporibus laborum. At quisquam voluptatem recusandae odio adipisci deserunt.

Ipsam amet officia vel iusto provident et dolor. Culpa hic sequi blanditiis. Tempora non fuga cum laudantium ipsam quisquam. Quo eius repellat quia consequatur. Quidem eos facere consequatur consequatur enim sapiente. Nisi maiores fuga porro sint dolores.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
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...”