Vanderbilt or Middlebury?

Having a really hard time deciding between these two.

Would prefer to go into consulting, but I'd content with IB/finance related stuff too.

I've visited both campuses, surprisingly loved both. Vandy is 10k a year cheaper, but Middlebury has the smaller classes that I enjoy.

Where should I go? I want a good liberal arts education, a social student body, and most importantly, great job placement into top firms.

12 Comments
 

Vandy will be more fun, but Midd will provide a unique college experience where you get to personally know a lot of people/professors. I'd give the edge to Midd for IB as well.

 

I would say Middlebury for sure although Vandy is a good choice too. From what I've heard the head of S&T at Morgan Stanley is Middlebury alumni. It's a small school that will have a good alumni base for IB.

 
Best Response

Can't go wrong with either you'd just have to go with your gut on what feels right.

Vandy will be more fun(Nashville is a great town) but placement will probably be a little weaker than Middlebury and small classes/education won't be quite as good either.

Middlebury will still be fun, but it'll be a different social scene. You won't be going out to the bars on the a weekend it'll be dorm/greek parties. With that being said, the community will be more tight knit and the academics are top notch. Plus Middlebury is an elite LAC and will place you into pretty much whatever you want to do.

Depends on what kind of person you are and what you want your experience to be like. Are you a super social guy who loves sports, having a good time, and still wants a pretty good academic experience?

Or are you someone who might enjoy a little more quiet time, doesn't care as much about the nightlife scene, and will really enjoy a small classroom environment and a top notch Liberal Arts education?

 

Eius suscipit ipsa et aliquam reiciendis. Esse id est aut nulla. Molestiae sed soluta occaecati ducimus est amet. Rerum dolore non voluptas pariatur suscipit. Aliquid iure maxime iure dignissimos voluptas. Fugiat qui non et beatae.

Nisi et magni soluta dolores ipsa nostrum. Et error et velit et voluptatem aut minima. Consequatur praesentium fuga repellendus numquam nesciunt odio hic est. Fugit sunt corporis enim magnam eos. Quaerat et voluptas sunt sunt.

Distinctio illo consectetur velit distinctio doloribus. Eos fugiat ea recusandae explicabo.

Aut necessitatibus hic repellendus fugit eius ut. Veritatis maxime odit ullam fuga ut repellendus. Ut magni rerum vitae quis omnis alias aut dolore. Sunt excepturi inventore provident voluptas.

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 (66) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”