Evaluating best schools for economics?

Hey all, I've been gravitating toward majoring in Econ for a while now, but I'm not sure which schools excel in this field. Can anyone provide a list of colleges with strong Economics programs? Also, how do I evaluate if a program is actually strong or not?

Sure, I'd be happy to help. Economics is a popular field of study and there are many strong programs out there. In no particular order, some notable ones include: Harvard, MIT, Stanford, University of Chicago, Princeton, Columbia, Yale, UC Berkeley, and NYU.

When you're evaluating an Economics program or any program for that matter, consider the following factors:

1. Faculty: Look into the faculty members of the program. Are they renowned or active in their field of study? Have they published research recently? These are indications of a strong program because you'll be learning from experts in the field.

2. Curriculum: Examine the courses offered in the program. A strong program will cover a broad range of topics in Economics and offer in-depth courses to allow you to specialize in a particular area.

3. Research Opportunities: Research is a substantial part of learning in Economics. See if the program offers research opportunities, honors theses, or internship opportunities. You might also want to check if there's a possibility to work with professors directly on their research.

4. Alumni Success: Investigate the careers of recent grads. Have they moved on to jobs relevant to their studies immediately upon graduation? Are they working at prominent companies or institutions? This could be a sign of a successful program.

5. Class Size: Smaller class size often means more individual attention and can lead to better learning outcomes.

Remember that the best school for you will also depend on other factors, like the overall fit of the school (large vs small, urban vs rural, etc.), financial aid offerings, and cultural fit.

Keep in mind that just because a school is top-ranked for Economics, that doesn't automatically make it the best choice for you. Thoroughly research each school and visit campus if possible to see if it's a place you'd enjoy spending 4 years.