The 10 Best Economics Schools in the World
Interested in studying economics? We’ve ranked the top 10 best schools to study economics. Learn about each school and if it’s the right one for you.
Methodology
We determined this ranking by averaging the rankings for the top 20 schools in both the 2021 QS World Subject Rankings and the 2021 Times Higher Education World Rankings by Subject of top economics schools. Both lists use different criteria, so we got a holistic view of the top 10 economics schools by averaging them.
Top 10 Economics Schools
| Overall Rank | University | Location | QS World Rank | THE Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | Cambridge, Massachusetts | 1 | 2 |
| 2 | Stanford University | Stanford, California | 3 | 1 |
| 3 | Harvard University | Cambridge, Massachusetts | 2 | 5 |
| 4 | Princeton University | Princeton, New Jersey | 4 | NA |
| 5* | London School of Economics (LSE) | London, United Kingdom | 6 | 7 |
| 5* | University of Chicago | Chicago, Illinois | 7 | 6 |
| 5* | Oxford University | Oxford, United Kingdom | 9 | 4 |
| 5* | Cambridge University | Cambridge, United Kingdom | 10 | 3 |
| 9 | University of California, Berkeley | Berkeley, California | 5 | 9 |
| 10 | Yale University | New Haven, Connecticut | 8 | 8 |
About the Schools
Let’s breakdown the top 10 Economics Schools to learn more about them, whether it’s for you and your chances of getting in!
University of Chicago
The Department of Economics at Chicago consistently ranks as one of the top economics departments in the world, boasting a large number of honors and recognitions. Students can choose the standard economics major or one of their newer tracks, specializing in Business Economics or Data Science. The undergraduate program equips students with the foundational tools they need to understand how the modern economy operates.
The economics degrees at UChicago give students a wide range of career and graduate degree options, including law, business, and medicine. Once students receive their undergraduate degree, they can also do graduate-level work in applied economics and economic policy or pursue an economic research career with a Ph.D.
London School of Economics (LSE)
London School of Economics (LSE) is known for its rigorous academic programs and research opportunities. The school offers a variety of economics degrees, including Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate programs. The median starting salary for undergraduates is $70,000.
Harvard University
Harvard’s economics program is highly competitive and offers a range of courses and research opportunities. The median starting salary for undergraduates is $81,400.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MIT’s economics program is renowned for its interdisciplinary approach and strong ties to the business world. The median starting salary for undergraduates is $81,400.
Stanford University
Stanford’s economics program is highly regarded for its innovative curriculum and strong research output. The median starting salary for undergraduates is $81,400.
Princeton University
Princeton’s economics program is known for its rigorous academic standards and strong research output. The median starting salary for undergraduates is $81,400.
Oxford University
Oxford’s economics program is highly competitive and offers a variety of courses and research opportunities. The median starting salary for undergraduates is $81,400.
Cambridge University
Cambridge’s economics program is highly regarded for its academic excellence and strong research output. The median starting salary for undergraduates is $81,400.
University of California, Berkeley
UC Berkeley’s economics program is known for its interdisciplinary approach and strong ties to the business world. The median starting salary for undergraduates is $81,400.
Yale University
Yale’s economics program is highly competitive and offers a variety of courses and research opportunities. The median starting salary for undergraduates is $81,400.
Conclusion
While you can’t go wrong with any school in our Top 10 Best Schools to Study Economics list, it’s important to carefully evaluate each program to determine if it meets your academic and career goals. Some offer intimate class sizes, while others provide a broad range of courses and research opportunities. In addition to examining each program, don’t forget to research the university as a whole. Make sure you also like the school’s location, size, community, and extracurricular activities.
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