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University of Southern California Investment Banking Placement (2026)
Marshall School of Business
Top Bank Placements
Overview
The University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business is a strong target school for investment banking, producing one of the largest IB cohorts on the West Coast. USC combines a well-regarded business curriculum with an alumni network that is legendary for its engagement and loyalty—the Trojan Family Network is one of the most powerful in American higher education. Marshall's finance major provides solid technical preparation, and Houlihan Lokey's Los Angeles headquarters creates a particularly strong pipeline. USC's LA location gives students access to entertainment and media banking groups, a unique sector advantage. The school's culture of ambition and networking aligns well with Wall Street values, and the IB Club is well-organized and provides structured preparation. USC continues to grow its Wall Street reputation year over year.
Placement Details
USC places well into bulge brackets and middle-market banks with a distinctive LA/West Coast flavor. Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, and Morgan Stanley recruit from Marshall. Bank of America and Citi are also active. Houlihan Lokey, headquartered in LA, has a particularly strong USC pipeline. Jefferies, Moelis, and other mid-market firms also recruit actively. USC students place in both NYC and LA offices, with growing SF presence. Entertainment and media banking groups value USC's LA connections and cultural knowledge. Placement spans M&A, leveraged finance, restructuring, and industry coverage.
Key Programs & Clubs
Programs
- Marshall Finance Major
- Marshall Accounting Major
- Leventhal School of Accounting
IB Clubs
- USC Investment Banking Club
- Marshall Finance Association
- Troy Capital Group
Recruiting Process
Marshall's Career Services office supports IB recruiting with bank presentations, resume reviews, and mock interviews. The IB Club runs a structured training program. Banks visit campus starting in September. Standard recruiting timeline applies. USC's LA location provides access to West Coast banking offices and entertainment industry networking. Career treks to NYC are organized for students targeting East Coast roles.
Tips for USC Students
Leverage the Trojan Network aggressively—USC alumni are exceptionally responsive and loyal to current students. Marshall finance or accounting provides the strongest preparation. The Houlihan Lokey pipeline is a unique USC advantage—if you're interested in restructuring or middle-market M&A, this is a direct path. Consider entertainment and media banking as a differentiating angle. Join the IB Club early. USC's Greek life and social scene create strong networking skills that translate well to banking relationships. A 3.5+ GPA is competitive. Don't limit yourself to LA—NYC roles are very achievable from USC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is USC Marshall a target school for IB?
Yes, USC Marshall is a strong target. Major bulge brackets and middle-market firms recruit on campus. The school's IB placement has been growing consistently, and the Trojan alumni network provides significant support. Some banks consider it alongside UVA McIntire and Georgetown McDonough.
What makes USC unique for IB?
The Trojan alumni network is USC's biggest differentiator—it's among the most responsive in the country. LA also provides unique access to entertainment/media banking. Houlihan Lokey's LA headquarters creates a direct recruitment pipeline that few schools can match.
Can I get NYC IB jobs from USC?
Absolutely. While USC's placement is strong on the West Coast, many graduates work in NYC. Banks recruit nationally from USC, and the alumni network in New York is substantial. NYC career treks and virtual networking make this very achievable.