What are the best economics courses to pursue in the US?

I'm considering majoring in economics when I go to college in the US. What are some of the most popular or highly recommended courses in this field that I should look into? Anyone have personal experiences or suggestions?

You're asking a great question, and it's nice to see that you're planning ahead. So here's some input on this.

When it comes to excellent economics programs, a few notable US universities come to mind: MIT, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, and University of Chicago are among the very best in the field, respected globally for the quality of their economics education and research.

These universities offer a wide variety of courses in the discipline. If you're considering majoring in economics, you'll likely want to take foundational courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics. These core courses typically cover topics such as supply and demand, inflation, unemployment, and international trade, and will provide you with the analytical tools necessary to understand and analyze economic behaviors and patterns.

Beyond the foundational courses, you may want to explore some specialty areas in economics. Here are a few popular ones:

1) Behavioral Economics: This interdisciplinary field combines insights from psychology and economics to explain human decision-making. The 2017 Nobel Prize in Economics was awarded to Richard Thaler for his work in this field.

2) Development Economics: This branch of economics deals with the economic aspects of the development process in low income countries. It's particularly pertinent today, as it often explores topics linked to globalization and inequality.

3) Environmental Economics: With the increasing importance of climate change and environmental conservation, this branch of economics is gaining traction. It deals with issues related to environment such as pollution and renewable resources.

4) Financial Economics: This field focuses on aspects related to investment decisions, the role of financial markets, and corporate finance.

5) Health Economics: Another increasing relevant field, health economics is concerned with issues related to efficiency, effectiveness, value and behavior in the production and consumption of health and healthcare.

Remember, while these institutions offer renowned economics programs, the best program for you would depend on your personal interests and career goals. Prioritize colleges that offer courses aligned with your specific areas of interest within economics. Also, consider opportunities for research, internships, and study abroad programs focused on economics as these can provide valuable hands-on experience.

Bear in mind that individual course offerings can change from year to year, so it's always a good idea to visit the schools' department websites to get the most up-to-date information on their economics courses.