What is the best degree if you want to become an investment banker?

It depends,

If you go to a very good school, the degree does not matter. IBs are recruited from every program (english, eng., business, science, etc.)

If you go to a good school, business degrees seem to be the norm (althogh you still see people with an English degree getting hired).

If you go to an ok school, then a degree in finance and accounting would probably help you the most but it will be very hard to get in. IBs are mostly recruited from the top groups above, Not to say that there are not IBs from ok schools but you see less and less of them.

If you go to a not so good school, then the odds are against you no matter the degree you get. I am not saying that it will be impossible since you actually see IB out there from undergrad degrees from not so well known schools. All I am saying is that you will need to network, cold call, network, bust your butt off, network and network some more to get recruited. Again, a degree in Finance or Accounting will be most helpful here as well as the intention of pursuing the CFA charter. For this group, you need to build a very very strong resume since you will be competing against a lot of people without any clear advantage.

A few caveats:

1. What is a very good, good, ok, no so good school? Brand name is very important, as well as rankings, for the latter you can check:

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/brief/t1natudoc_brief.php

Please take into account that brand name and rankings are very subjective. IMHO, a very good schoool would be in the top 20, a good school in the top 40, an ok school in the top 100, and a not so good school will not be in the rankings.

2. Very good, good, ok are just categories for IB recruting, I am not saying if a school is good or bad. I am not grading the education you get there. I don't work at US News and I don't think their ranking are great but they help make the point.

3. Obviously, the higher in the rankings the more chances you will get to get recruited by an IB. Now, it also depends on how well you do. If you go to Wharton and become the class clown or the class bump then chances are you will not get recrtuited. Likewise, if you go to BU and become the class star, your chance will be better.

4. IBs work like crazy, yes you get many perks, but they will make sure you work your butt off. 80 hours per week is the norm.... just be sure you want to do this before you make any decision...

5. Good Luck

try to get a business degree with a major in finance

Actually, the school you choose is more important than the degree.

The top I-Banks will generally only recruit from the top 10 colleges in the country. A numerate degree (e.g. math, econ., accounting) is generally what they're looking for but they'll stretch a little as long as your grades are top-drawer.

If you go to a middle-class state school then the only way you're going to get in the door is by going to a top 5 MBA program, so good luck.

For entry level analyst positions, an undergraduate from a top 10 business school with a major in Finance, Business, or Accounting will help the most, keep in mind, that you will also need to finish with over a 3.0 and in many cases a 3.5 in order to be considered. An MBA will also help but you must also remember that many of the top MBA programs will not consider someone without at least 5 years of work experience.

its who you KNOW ! and NOT what you KNOW!

I would have to disagree w/ both. Engineering is a better choice. They teach analytical skills and rational thinking. There are many engineering paths. Take the one that sounds interesting to you. Maybe Computer Engineering. This path allows you to do hardware or software if you chose. W/ a degree in mechanical engineering, you're limited to the hardware side. Having more choices is always better. Then, get an MBA later in life. Most people accepted into top MBA programs were engineering majors (not business; surprised me too). An undergrad degree in business might teach you the language of business. You can always minor in business. I would take a few statistics classes too if you can fit them in. In fact, minoring in stats might help you more than a minor in business. In your senior yr, start studying for the CFA exam. Being a Charted Financial Analyst will help you greatly in your career. Just pass the 1st level to help get you started. Besides w/ a degree in engineering, you'll have something to fall back on. You'll always be able to find a good paying job as an engineer. IB is very hard to get into; it's very competitive. Bottom line, anyone can look up the definition of Net Present Value but it takes someone w/ good analytical tools to do something w/ it.

Go here for more in depth info of IB.

http://www.wm.edu/career/Infopages/FinanceInfoPage.cfm#EntryLevel

Probably economics major is the most common.

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