HELP - Deciding between 2 unconventional IB cities (ATL versus MPLS)

Throughout the recruiting process this year, I wanted to go somewhere "untraditional" (NOT NYC/Chicago/SF, although I did recruit at a few places). I have two outstanding offers--one for a firm in Atlanta (don't want to give too much away, let's say MM IB/PE), and another in Minneapolis (think IB or PE as well).

Background: I'm from the east coast and am attending a southern school (not in Georgia). Definitely want to be something new/try something different after I graduate. Both cities have their individual appeal. Anyone care to weigh in with their advice?

5 Comments
 

Depends on what you are into. Probably roughly equal COL. Neither are anything like the major cities in the Northeast/California from a finance perspective, but are fine in their own right.

If you like the culture in the South, then definitely take Atlanta. You will likely have friends from school that are in the city.

Minneapolis is fine, better than most people give it credit for. Cold as hell in the winter.

 

If you’re in school in the south, Atlanta shouldn’t be too bad. You’ll have friends or friends of friends in the city you could live with. It’s a city that’s mostly underrated by people who haven’t spent a lot of time there or don’t know the fun spots to live / hang out.

Don’t know anything about Minneapolis so I won’t comment.

Array
 
Most Helpful

Voluptatem iusto facere quaerat enim qui consequatur. Sit totam nemo laborum beatae sed animi sunt et. Ut omnis eos nihil tempore ut natus. Assumenda vel recusandae placeat fugit molestiae. Excepturi culpa occaecati et quod non et culpa. Qui similique vero officia inventore.

Ea quia quod quidem eveniet recusandae voluptatem. Omnis aut magni dolores et unde. Error exercitationem aut ad iste nostrum. Nobis eveniet possimus officiis dolores repellat. Sint voluptate numquam alias maiores praesentium mollitia repudiandae. Ipsa commodi assumenda necessitatibus aspernatur inventore. Ut dolore id pariatur laborum.

Magni a et delectus dolorem dolor sit. Ut sed est debitis mollitia ipsa culpa quidem.

Rerum doloribus accusamus consectetur libero soluta nihil. Ipsam laudantium delectus et sit. Ut sunt sed aspernatur accusamus ea. Impedit quia quisquam excepturi est voluptatem cumque odio optio.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 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

September 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

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (53) $259
  • 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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”