NYU Stern vs Penn State
I'm currently a freshman at Penn State, looking to pursue investment banking, and on campus, I'm involved with an organization called Leveraged Lion Capital. However, I recently got accepted to NYU Stern as a transfer student, and I was wondering if it would be worth it for me to transfer. LLC has solid placements, but I know that Stern has a stronger brand name, and it would be easier for me to get my foot in the door in terms of networking and landing an interview. I would really appreciate any thoughts, especially from those familiar with recruiting at Stern or who were in a similar position to mine.
Transferring to NYU Stern could be a game-changer for your investment banking aspirations. Based on the most helpful WSO content, Stern is widely regarded as one of the top schools for finance, with a strong brand name and unparalleled access to networking opportunities in New York City. Its location allows for fall and spring internships, which are highly valuable for building experience and connections in the industry. Additionally, Stern is considered a core school for many top investment banks, meaning firms actively recruit there, giving you a significant advantage in landing interviews.
While Penn State and organizations like Leveraged Lion Capital have solid placements, Stern's reputation and proximity to Wall Street provide a more direct pipeline into investment banking and private equity roles. However, it's important to weigh the financial implications of transferring, as Stern's tuition is significantly higher. If the cost is manageable and you're committed to maximizing the opportunities Stern offers, transferring could be worth it.
Ultimately, the decision depends on your financial situation, career goals, and willingness to adapt to Stern's competitive environment. If you're aiming for top-tier firms and can handle the transition, Stern is likely the better choice for breaking into investment banking.
Sources: The Comprehensive List of Transfer Friendly Schools For Investment Banking, The Comprehensive List of Transfer Friendly Schools For Investment Banking, What makes NYU so good?, Worth it to go to Stern?, Is NYU Stern really worth it?
Stern. Even though you’ll be behind , still leagues betyer
Hey — I was actually in a really similar spot when I was choosing schools, so I wanted to give you a real perspective beyond what you see online.
I’m currently a junior at Penn State, and I just landed an internship at S&P Global this summer. I was competing directly against kids from NYU, Ivy League schools, and other target programs—and I didn’t come in with some insane resume or exclusive finance clubs.
I’ll be honest with you: Penn State is not the easiest or most direct pipeline into high finance. Schools like Stern definitely have a more structured recruiting process and more on-campus access to firms. That part is real.
But what people don’t tell you is that Penn State still puts people into these roles every year—you just have to be more proactive. The biggest difference isn’t intelligence or potential, it’s how early and how consistently you put yourself out there.
For me, the biggest factor was networking. Penn State has a massive alumni base, including a lot of people in finance, but you have to actually reach out—cold emails, LinkedIn messages, setting up calls. Nothing is really handed to you, but that also forces you to build real skills early.
Also, don’t get too caught up in the idea that you need “crazy” clubs to succeed. I didn’t rely on some elite, hyper-competitive organization. What mattered more was showing genuine interest, being consistent, and building relationships over time.
At the end of the day, when it came to interviews, I was in the same pool as kids from top schools—and I got the offer. That’s the part that matters most.
So I’d think about it like this: Stern can make the path more straightforward, but Penn State doesn’t close any doors—you just have to push them open yourself.
If you end up at Penn State and start early, stay disciplined, and really tap into the network, you can absolutely break into high finance. I’m literally in the process of doing it right now.
Happy to talk more if you want.
Hope ur internship is starting off well. I'm actually an incoming student at PSU and looking to land a role in high finance. Can I pm?
I appreciate the note and absolutely happy to be a resource
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