Trying to gauge the best school for IB (that I got into)

I am trying to gauge what school will give me the best chance for investment banking based on data by Linkedin. I took the amount of alumni from the top banks (GS, MS, JPM, and BOA) and divided it by the total amount of alumni from each school. I got the following results. Is this list pretty accurate?

University of Minnesota Twin-Cities .48%

Indiana University- 1.04%

Penn State- 1.33%

William and Mary- 1.62%

Rutgers- 2.8%

Boston College- 3.09%

Fordham University- 3.71%

Washington and Lee University- 4.47%

Basically each percentage would be what percent of total alumni on LinkedIn are working at a BB. Is this accurate?

8 Comments
 

While your approach to gauging the best school for investment banking (IB) by analyzing LinkedIn data is insightful, it's important to consider several factors beyond just the percentage of alumni working at bulge bracket (BB) banks. Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some additional considerations:

  1. Networking Opportunities: Schools with strong alumni networks in finance can provide invaluable networking opportunities. While your percentages give a quantitative measure, the quality of these networks, mentorship opportunities, and the willingness of alumni to help also matter significantly.

  2. On-Campus Recruitment: Some schools have stronger relationships with BB banks, leading to more on-campus recruitment opportunities. Schools that are considered "target" by these firms might offer a higher chance of landing interviews and offers, even if their LinkedIn percentage isn't the highest.

  3. Location: Proximity to financial hubs can be a factor. For instance, schools in or near major cities like New York (e.g., Fordham University) may offer easier access to networking events, internships, and job opportunities in IB.

  4. Academic and Extracurricular Opportunities: Programs that offer finance-specific courses, case competitions, and finance clubs can provide practical skills and experiences that are valuable in IB recruitment.

  5. Career Services and Alumni Support: The effectiveness of a school's career services and the supportiveness of its alumni network in helping students prepare for IB interviews and navigate the recruitment process can significantly impact your chances.

Your method provides a good starting point, but combining it with these qualitative factors will give you a more comprehensive view. Remember, individual initiative in networking, internships, and academic performance also plays a crucial role in breaking into IB, regardless of the school attended.

Sources: ., Why is it all about BB/EB on here, Is This A Good List?, Top Investment Banks in each industry 2018, Best Investment Banking schools in the Northeast

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Aliquam sequi ipsam dolores qui quia rerum facilis. Ea quos sunt molestias reprehenderit dolores nihil quam perferendis. Et est quasi sed facilis. In ea accusamus mollitia esse sed.

Expedita voluptatem molestias quae voluptatem qui earum. Beatae dicta earum enim nihil doloremque quo. Maiores consequuntur dicta qui illum eius sit iusto. Ipsum ipsam laborum reiciendis sit impedit sint.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • 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

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...”