Top Business Schools for Private Equity 2024

According to Harvard, around 17 percent of the most recent class of MBAs went into either private equity, venture capital, or leveraged buyouts; this proportion represents a steady increase since 2016, when it was just 13 percent. Tellingly, most of the current managing directors in Bain Capital's private equity department have MBAs from Harvard.

Private equity recruiting is strong among Stanford MBAs: in recent years, some 15 to 20 percent of school's MBA classes have gone into the private equity field—one of the highest percentages of all schools that FIND MBA surveys. Stanford offers some electives in this space, and there's a private equity club as well.

With firms like CVC Capital Partners and Apax Partners nearby, London is a great place to be for students interested in a career in private equity. LBS leverages its prime location with the Coller Institute of Private Equity, which publishes research and hosts networking opportunities.

With strong ties to the industry, the school's Private Equity Program is a great resource for students interested in private equity. Columbia students are regularly recruited by large private equity firms like Advent International and the Blackstone Group.

Students can choose from a number of finance and private equity electives. For further support, the Heizer Center for Private Equity and Venture Capital produces research in the field, and puts on an annual Private Equity and Venture Capital Conference.

The school has strong connections with UK-based private equity firms – recruiters in past years have included Permira and Barclays Capital. The school's Private Equity Club provides a hub for private equity networking opportunities.

In most years, some 10 to 15 percent of graduates go into roles in private equity or buyouts– and typically, the graduates in these industries make more salary-wise than those in any other industry. The school also hosts the Wharton Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, which puts on events.

Sloan MBAs interested in private equity can connect with the Venture Capital and Private Equity Club, which provides info and hosts events. In recent years, up to nine percent of the school’s MBA grads have gone into private equity or venture capital; organizations like Hong Kong Private Equity Finance Association and Cowin Capital have recruited grads in past years.

Two relevant student clubs and the school's Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship help make Booth a hotbed for private equity networking. Private equity-related firms like Barclays Capital and Credit Suisse regularly recruit from the school.

Just a few years ago, private equity in China was dominated by international firms like Goldman Sachs. However, in recent years, local Chinese private equity firms are beginning to gain traction. Likewise, Tsinghua's grads are going into the field in small but growing numbers. Perhaps as a nod to this increased interest, in 2017 Tsinghua launched the Institute for Global Private Equity.