I am a prospective student hoping to get into the finance or consulting industry? Which of these schools would provide a better path for the future in Finance?
Davidson, because it is near Charlotte- a huge banking center. There is some consulting there (McKinsey and the like).
I worked on Wall Street for years. There aren’t a lot of Davidson people there; it’s a small school; but I have never met anyone there from Colby. Ever.
Colby sends a lot of kids to choice business schools for the MBA. This tightly knit community and elite LAC is proud of its global outlook. Also excellent food including Maine blueberry ice cream that’s tough to beat. Lots of chances to do research and great networking through the alumni association Recent Admission Dean just came from Stanford, so there may be an opportunity for a Stanford Bus School/Colby connection. Don’t know anything about Davidson.
Colby offers a choice for econ majors of something that is more managerial and something that is more theory based. Quite a few banks recruit there, and their alumni are well placed, particularly in Boston and NY.
I doubt the new admissions dean will be in a position to formalize anything with stanford’s gsb, but colby grads seem able to get in there without a formal arrangement.
I think, OP, that each school has strong ties in its region, so if you feel more strongly about one part of the country in terms of post grad opportunities, that might be worth considering.