Business administration programs in private equity can get you the most coveted jobs in the financial markets. Especially, an MBA in Private Equity. 

But, what about the top business schools that hold the power to get you where you want in the PE sector?

We will be discussing the same in this article. 

The fact noteworthy here is that a limited number of schools offer MBA programs specific to private equity. However, there are some universities and institutes known worldwide for their contribution to the financial markets in terms of supplying highly-skilled manpower. Only a few institutes around the world offer electives in PE. Such courses are perfect to break into the best private equity consulting firms just after completing your degree at college. 

Added Advantages of Getting an MBA in PE from the Top Global Business Schools

Top business schools, apart from offering a PE-based MBA degree, will provide you with facilities and infrastructure for research and development in the field. Moreover, you will get numerous opportunities to meet and network with the top finance professionals and market influencers. Even individuals armed with impactful finance certifications cannot beat the finance graduates of top global B-schools in terms of employability. 

An MBA with major in private equity can give you an edge over others in landing a finance job at the top private equity firms located across the globe. You get interviewed for job roles by some of the most reputed financial firms such as the Carlyle Group, the Blackstone Group, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, among many others. 

Corporate hiring at financial services companies with broader investment portfolios requires MBA graduates having specialization in PE.  

Top Global Business Schools That Offer Education Programs Specific to Private Equity 

Columbia Business School, Columbia University

Having solid connections in the PE sector, the business school has proven itself a repository for the most eligible finance students ready to join the financial markets. It’s a perfect place to start building your foundation in PE, and later, make a rewarding private equity career. 

The biggest of PE firms recruit talent from this very university, such as Blackstone Group, and Advent International. 

London Business School

With large PE firms located nearby, such as Apax Partners and CVC Capital Partners, LBS will serve as a great place from where to pursue a Private Equity course. The PE educational hub makes the most out of its prime location by offering students research infrastructure and related facilities with the positioning of Coller Institute of Private Equity in the close vicinity. 

MIT Sloan School of Management

Sloan MBA graduates having an inclination towards PE can easily network, leveraging the Private Equity and Venture Capital Club that hosts conferences and events related to financial markets. In the past couple of years, about 9% of the institute’s MBA graduates entered PE or Venture Capital markets.

Harvard Business School

As per the business school’s provided data, about 15% of the MBA grads in the recent years broke into either venture capital, PE, or leveraged buyouts. A majority of MDs in the Bain Capital ‘s PE division are Harvard MBAs.  

The Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania)

You will be lucky if you get admission at this place because besides offering you a PE-specific graduation course, it also backs the Wharton Private Equity and Venture Capital Association that conducts events relating to the finance industry. In the recent years, around 11% of Wharton graduates secured private equity jobs at top PE & VC firms.

Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB)

PE hiring is strong in the said institute given the number of graduates that make successful careers in private equity each year after taking up a graduation course over here. Around 13% of Stanford grads directly enter the PE markets after completing the course. 

INSEAD (Europe Campus)

It has made strong bonds with the UK-based PE firms over the years, and hence, the recruitment rate over here is commendable. In the past several years, Barclays Capital, and Permira have been continuously recruiting graduated from here. Its PE club offers ample networking opportunities. 

Kellogg School of Management, North-western University

The business school offers multiple electives to choose from in the private equity and finance domains. Added to that, it has its own research facility with the name – Heizer Centre for Private Equity and Venture Capital. The said research centre organizes an annual conference on PE and Venture Capital that provides for abundance of meeting opportunities with top executives from the PE and VC markets.