MSF vs MBA career salary
Currently an undergrad at a non-target weighing my options for grad school so I can break into IB, consulting, or PE. I know this is a broad question, but how comparable is the average pay for top MSF graduates (Vanderbilt, MIT) vs M7 MBA graduates 10+ years after they finish school? Would it be worth doing the MSF after undergrad to break into the industry and then do the MBA or would the MSF suffice?
You enter at different levels, so not an apples to apples comparison. You enter after an MSF at the analyst level, MBA you enter as an associate. Therefore, MBA total earnings and average pay will be higher after 10 years. However, no credible MBA will take you on with no work experience, and conversely, MSF programs are usually taken on directly after completion of your senior year in college. As for doing both, that seems like a weird choice to me that will leave you very debt-ridden.
If you strike out recruiting for FT roles and have a strong application profile, then why not apply to MIT/UT Austin/Georgetown/Vandy MSF if you’re dead set on banking. If not, get a good job, keep a high GPA, kill your GMAT, get accepted to an M7 MBA and move into IB/PE. You could do both, but that’s a lot of money and I don’t think it makes a whole lot of sense. Either break in after undergrad or career switch with an MBA. If you break in (be it with or without MSF) the MBA will be some years down the road, you don’t really need to make that decision anytime soon.
Lastly, if you’re early enough in your college career, maybe consider transferring to a target? Ultimately I don’t think both the MSF and MBA are necessary, or make sense. One or the other seems more practical to me. Just my 2 cents.
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