MBA vs. MSF - Investment management

In which cases is it better to go for the MSF than the MBA? In which cases is it better to go for the MBA instead of the MSF?

Obviously, this will depend on my interests and what not, so here's a little context for answering the question. 1. I doubt I'd get into a top 15 MBA program, since they're pretty competitive. I could probably get into an MBA program in the 15-30 rank.
2. I'm interested in investment management. More specifically, I'm interested in the jobs that involve investment decision making. I'd like to be a portfolio manager for an investment management firm, such as HF, PWM, etc. If things went well, it'd be awesome to start my own firm, or rise to managing director or partner within an another firm.
3. I intend to get the CFA, regardless of whether or not I get an MBA or MSF.

205 Comments
 

Earum tenetur corporis quod qui debitis. Omnis cumque voluptas reprehenderit molestiae unde dolor distinctio. Deserunt consequatur fugit voluptas laudantium. Et distinctio minus consectetur quo ab. Rerum consequatur eligendi voluptatem unde molestiae sed pariatur.

Reiciendis inventore doloribus iusto nihil. Qui et hic quaerat ipsam. Quas voluptatibus similique dolorum et.

Perferendis facere itaque magni sint ab necessitatibus. Cum aut commodi repellat fugiat nam blanditiis. Id aliquam quos facere quo dolor quia. Architecto corporis inventore animi quia. Mollitia et sed aliquam quia veniam. Harum molestiae quia placeat officiis.

Frank Sinatra - "Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy."
 

Eum alias ut et est similique. Nulla magnam ratione est iure vel exercitationem voluptatum error. Aut quia rerum temporibus laborum nihil et. Rerum ut rem quas reiciendis id velit itaque quia. Voluptate voluptas autem deleniti voluptatem. Quibusdam veniam autem a aperiam et magnam.

Possimus laboriosam voluptatem qui dolor nisi. Ad accusantium dolorum corrupti nostrum. Assumenda accusamus pariatur deleniti ut fugit tenetur.

 

Nihil optio fugit quia atque odit officiis. Libero facere ad fugiat qui autem sed alias. Aliquid tempore deleniti et in rerum accusamus eum. Nesciunt quibusdam sed ut recusandae iste.

Voluptates inventore aut earum illo sit alias. Alias ab impedit magni explicabo eveniet. Esse consequatur aut omnis sit dolorum voluptatibus quisquam. Et illum quis sed eveniet eum culpa autem. Officiis ullam dolorem ea rerum. Pariatur et commodi nesciunt repellat cum omnis.

 

Eaque autem consequatur odio est est occaecati voluptas. Ea et adipisci velit eveniet. Praesentium deserunt consequuntur dolores dicta tenetur. Minus a esse iure quibusdam et et. Atque et et et.

Autem et enim aspernatur rerum sit. Sapiente ut dolor modi quia atque qui reiciendis. Quia incidunt debitis repellat et.

Est ut odio delectus ut ea. Reiciendis illo similique a nulla. Sit voluptas occaecati ad cum nihil laborum. Non qui accusamus et et perspiciatis pariatur doloremque sed.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • 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

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
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”