Tufts vs Penn State at Wall Street

Deciding between penn state and tufts for getting into high finance. Smeal is really good and Penn state has an outstanding network. Tufts has good economics and I could see it being better for landing mr jobs. Tufts if also 40k more a year. Where do you guys think is the best place for an education?

2 Comments
 

Based on previous WSO threads, here's what you need to know:

  1. Penn State (Smeal College of Business):

    • Network: Penn State has a strong alumni network, particularly in finance. This can be a significant advantage when it comes to networking and landing internships or job offers.
    • Reputation: Smeal is well-regarded for its business programs, which can provide a solid foundation for a career in high finance.
    • Cost: Penn State is more affordable compared to Tufts, which can be a crucial factor considering the long-term return on investment.
  2. Tufts University:

    • Economics Program: Tufts has a strong economics program, which can be beneficial for roles in finance that require a deep understanding of economic principles.
    • Prestige: Tufts is generally considered more prestigious, which can be advantageous when applying to competitive finance positions.
    • Cost: Tufts is significantly more expensive, which is an important consideration. The additional $40k per year could impact your financial situation post-graduation.

Conclusion: - If you prioritize a strong network and a more affordable education, Penn State (Smeal College of Business) might be the better choice. - If you value the prestige and strength of the economics program and are willing to bear the higher cost, Tufts University could be the way to go.

Ultimately, the decision should be based on your personal preferences, financial situation, and career goals.

Sources: Sup guys, where should I go to school?, How do I get my kids into top 5 schools?, Best Places to Study Abroad

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

Voluptatem voluptatem enim recusandae ut molestiae. Vel explicabo molestiae fugit in recusandae in. Id distinctio exercitationem voluptates eius id. Vel ut non delectus saepe sed. Totam tempore et vel sapiente est dolores. Quisquam id est eum nostrum nisi et.

Ut aperiam quidem est nobis. Possimus eligendi voluptas animi nostrum. Eum incidunt minima hic illum. Enim sed error aut veritatis. Dignissimos voluptatem dignissimos voluptas libero consequatur.

Magnam voluptatibus inventore eum atque. Nam est beatae voluptatibus nobis perferendis unde voluptate. Illum optio omnis ut ducimus. Sed ut consequatur quis unde voluptatem. Officiis maxime et accusamus possimus. Velit veritatis voluptates minima assumenda sapiente ut et.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (68) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”