<p>The top companies have settled this debate. </p>
<p>Tip-top investment banks and management consulting companies (GS, McKinsey, etc.) see good school prestige as a pre-requesite for hiring. The vast majority of their interns and associates come from the top 25 schools. Below a certain point (rank 40 or below), they won’t even consider an applicant.</p>
<p>There is such a variety of opinions on prestige that it is probably the most misunderstood attribute of colleges. If you are going to do things your own way (such as opening a company), then college prestige or even college itself could be entirely redundant. If you are going to follow a standard path to success, college prestige is essential.</p>