If you can host X companies over the course of a semester / year, then selecting large, well-know, well-paying companies maximizes the total salary of all students you are able to place in these companies

There should be a level playing field. The opportunities at a midsize growing tech company will outweigh the extra pay at a large org if one can move up in the company at a faster rate.

Your chances of being the next cto of google in 40 years is extremely low but your chances of joining a startup or working up the ladder and becoming a cto are much higher. You could be earning a lot more.