MIT MSRED vs USC MRED

I've been admitted into both the MIT MSRED and USC MRED programs and thoroughly enjoyed/respected both when visiting. Coming from a design background, I'd like to transition into development eventually (not necessarily immediately) ending up on the west coast.

MIT:
-prestigious, global brand
-very respectable program with a strong emphasis on finance and economics (my weakness)
-strong network in the northeast

USC:
-best in the west, growing global brand
-solid program covering all facets of real estate/development
-cult-like network particularly strong on the west coast (and growing)

The brief facts I stated above do not give each program their due justice nor do they provide a comprehensive review of each program, but I'm looking for some advice/comment from industry professionals and/or people who have gone through or are currently going through the same process. At the end of the day, I see tremendous success coming out of these two elite programs.

Any and all feedback regarding my upcoming decision is much appreciated. Thanks!

2 Comments
 

MIT strictly dominates USC in all 'objective' factors. Unless you have strong personal reasons for USC, I can't really think of why you would do it. Unless this network truly is as cultlike as you say, in which case, you know better than us, so you shouldn't ask.

 

Architecto deleniti recusandae accusantium beatae excepturi eos unde. Velit reiciendis explicabo esse quidem voluptates suscipit. Consequatur itaque qui voluptatum esse tempore deleniti.

Ducimus consequuntur non quis autem et. Ut non non consectetur totam. Eius perspiciatis quasi voluptatem et omnis. Et dolores ut quia. Ducimus et ad earum rerum eius officia saepe. Aut ad eveniet quisquam temporibus quidem esse.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 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

October 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

October 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

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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”