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University of California, Los Angeles Investment Banking Placement (2026)
UCLA Anderson (graduate); undergraduate economics
Top Bank Placements
Overview
UCLA is a strong West Coast target for investment banking, benefiting from its prestigious public university brand and Los Angeles location. Unlike UC Berkeley (which has Haas), UCLA doesn't have a dedicated undergraduate business school, so Business Economics is the primary feeder major. Despite this structural difference, UCLA produces a large IB cohort through the sheer talent of its student body and the strength of its finance clubs. The UCLA Investment Banking Club is one of the most active on the West Coast, running intensive preparation programs. Houlihan Lokey's LA headquarters creates a direct recruitment pipeline, and UCLA's entertainment industry connections make graduates attractive for media and entertainment banking groups. Anderson School of Management's graduate resources provide some undergraduate spillover benefits.
Placement Details
UCLA places well into both West Coast and NYC banking. Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, and Morgan Stanley recruit from UCLA. Houlihan Lokey is a particularly strong recruiter given its LA headquarters. Jefferies, Bank of America, and Citi are also active. Entertainment and media banking groups value UCLA's LA connections. Placement spans NYC, LA, and SF offices. Middle-market firms in LA provide additional opportunities.
Key Programs & Clubs
Programs
- Business Economics Major
- Economics Major
- Financial Actuarial Mathematics
IB Clubs
- UCLA Investment Banking Club
- Bruin Capital
- UCLA Finance Society
Recruiting Process
UCLA's Career Center provides general support, while the IB Club is the primary preparation vehicle. Banks present on campus in fall. Standard recruiting timeline applies. The IB Club's training program is essential for competitive preparation. Career treks to NYC and visits to LA banking offices are organized.
Tips for UCLA Students
Business Economics is the standard major—pair it with math or statistics for quantitative signal. The UCLA IB Club is essential; join early and commit to the training program. Houlihan Lokey's LA connection is a unique advantage. Entertainment/media banking is a natural fit from UCLA. Network aggressively with UCLA alumni in banking—the Bruin network is large and responsive. A 3.5+ GPA is competitive. Consider both LA and NYC placements to maximize options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is UCLA a target for IB without an undergraduate business school?
Yes, UCLA is a strong target despite lacking a formal undergraduate business school. Banks recruit actively on campus, and Business Economics serves as the effective business major. The school's brand, talent pool, and club infrastructure compensate for the structural difference.
How does UCLA compare to Berkeley for IB?
Berkeley's Haas provides more structured business school support, while UCLA relies more on clubs and self-direction. Both place well, with Berkeley having a slight edge in total placement. UCLA's LA location provides unique entertainment/media banking advantages that Berkeley doesn't offer.
What is the Houlihan Lokey connection at UCLA?
Houlihan Lokey is headquartered in Los Angeles and recruits actively from UCLA. Many HL bankers are UCLA alumni. This creates a strong, direct pipeline into one of the top restructuring and middle-market advisory firms.