<p>I'm into both finance and computers, so I can be happy doing either computer science or investment banking later on. So the question is, which one would give me the best money?</p>
<p>I know computer science undergrads usually make 60k straight out of college. From experience, my uncle, with only a bachelors from UCLA made 65k out of college, and now he's a senior computer analyst making 110k/year. He only has to work 8 hours a day, and never on weekends. However, there's no real hope that he'll make any more than that, like in the 200ks or 300ks.</p>
<p>On the other hand, investment banking only pays about 30-40k straight out of college. And you have to go all the way up to grad school, get your MBA, in order to make anywhere near 100k. But the only advantage as I see it, is that there is the "potential" to make at least 200-500k after about 15 years. But not many i-bankers make it there. Most of them hit 150k and then move on to something else and they also work 20-hour days.</p>
<p>So what do you all suggest? Computer science has no potential for millions like investment banking does, but it does provide a VERY stable source of middle-class income. But investment banking, although not great at first, has the potential to strike it big.</p>
<p>Computer programming in investment banking, the hours are not as bad as the front office, but you would get paid better than your uncle multiple times over. You may some weekends, but hours are generally better than investment bankers.</p>
<p>You could still major in Computer Science in A&S with a business direction(taking classes business majors take) and still get hired in investment banking. Both areas are highly profitable in this day and age. You may find a company that'll need a computer science major and then next thing you know you're making the next Google.</p>
<p>I actually signed up for this website just to answer this question. There seems to be a ton of misinformation about banking, probably coming from engineers who have no idea what they are talking about. First off, there is no banking job where you would ever make 30-40k after you graduate. There are lots of different jobs in the finance industry but none of them would ever pay that little. Next, if you wanted to get into investment banking, by which you probably mean M&A, join the club. It is very competitive and you need to have a top notch GPA to have any shot. If you do have the goods, you can expect an unparalleled salary your first year out. It continues to rise but those who are in their first year now have a salary of 75K with a signing bonus of 10K. They also receive 10K for moving expenses into the city and then the best part is the end of year bonus equal to about 70K. This makes your first year all in salary of over 150K. After two to three years as an analyst people usually pursue other less stressful careers or go to B-school and come back to become an associate where the salary starts at about 250K. I know nothing about computer science other than the kids generally don't seem to have much fun at school. I'll be a junior this fall and I'm a business major. Feel free to ask questions.</p>
<p>To reiterate what cornell999999 has said, you will make much more money in investment banking. Salaries are generally 50-70K with a 10K signing bonus your first year. From your base salary, you are further compensated with an end of the year bonus that averaged at 108K for Merrill Lynch first year analysts this past year (making your total first year salary ~170k). </p>
<p>Salary goes up exponentially from there. You generally will only work as an analyst for 2 years before moving to a smaller firm (think private equity, hedge funds), an MBA, corporation, or stay at the bank. </p>
<p>In private banking (ie: personal finances) you may make much less, which may be what you are referring to. </p>
<p>Investment banks are well-known for their employee training, and you may not need to pursue an MBA. </p>
<p>You will kill yourself working anywhere from 7 - 9 in the morning, until 11:30-3 at night. If you are worried about the hours, look into Sales and Trading, which works market hours (+ a little bit at the beginning and end), or consulting (needs analytical mind with financial experience.. travels a lot.. pays very well at top firms). </p>
<p>It is highly competitive to get an M&A position, but there are many people I know that have had lackluster GPA's, but stellar EC's, resumes, and interview skills (you should read Vault Guide, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times) who have gotten these positions. You should show up at information sessions, and if you have friends and/or family members working for a bank, let them know you are applying so they take an extra look at your resume (this is usually why the GPA does not matter as much for certian people).</p>
<p>jcas323, those bonuses were way higher than you can expect in an average year...the bull market (the past few years) has been fed by tons of M&A. That number of $108k would vary greatly depending on how the market does those first two years out of college. Also - this is for M&A analysts in the investment banking division. "Investment Banking" can refer to trading, sales, research, corporate finance, etc. </p>
<p>Also, who the hell says you will never get rich with computer science? Silicon Valley has the most billionaires per capita in the entire world. Your uncle is one example of what sounds like a very average person in the IT industry. If you are going into college with the mindset that all you can ever do is make $110,000 a year contributing to your IRA/401K each year, retire at 60 and be an average middle-class person (not that there's anythign wrong with this if you end up here), then that's what you'll probably end up doing. </p>
<p>If you like computer science and finance, major in computer science. You can get jobs in finance with a CS degree, but you won't get programming jobs with an undergraduate business degree.</p>
<p>quantitative finance might be the way out, although you would have to be prepared with some math in addition to your programming skills. i remember cornell has a decent financial engineering program, so you might want to ask around about that?</p>
<p>being a quant has its own peril, IMHO, because it will be very hard to climb to the top later on.. just because you will be facing brilliant PhDs from around the world. </p>
<p>my friend worked as a QuantDev in Bloomberg. he said the entire floor is manned mostly by Indians, Chinese.. few Americans here and there :)</p>
<p>You need not choose your career right now. Experience life, and see where it takes you. I can assure you that the relatively small salary difference will mean little in the long-run, when everything is taken into account.</p>
<p>To answer your specific question, you will be making more money in Banking, but per hour the two jobs will be approximately equivalent. So, what's best really depends upon your own values.</p>