Ranking of Economics Graduate Programs

The rankings below have been generated just for you using the priorities you set on this page. You can change your priorities or get rankings for a different field.


How to Read Your Ranking

  • Programs are ranked by their score, a weighted sum of the items you chose. (Details)
  • Descriptions of each item are listed at the bottom of the page. (You can also see a description by mousing over items at the top of the table.)
  • Your weight for each item is shown beneath the item at the top of the table. Weights range in magnitude from 0 (not important) to 5 (extremely important).
  • A positive weight means that you prefer larger values for the item. A negative weight means that you prefer smaller values for the item.
  • Green values are at least one standard deviation better than the mean. Red values are at least one standard deviation worse than the mean.
  • Data sources can be found below.

Do you think these rankings are useful? If so, you can help spread the word by linking to phds.org from your own site or blog.
Here is a direct link to your ranking.
Here are some other ways to help us.


Your Ranking of Economics Graduate Schools

Click on a program to see a detailed profile
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1.Economics, Harvard University77.14.795%4.36.323.25.025.6443.49%745745
1.Information Technology and Management, Harvard University77.14.795%4.36.323.25.025.6443.49%745745
1.Organizational Behavior, Harvard University77.14.795%4.36.323.25.025.6443.49%745745
4.Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology62.74.795%4.75.022.54.921.0285.814%770730
5.Economics, Stanford University56.55.795%4.64.416.14.919.8364.112%735720
6.Economics, Princeton University55.15.292%4.73.912.94.814.4412.211%745735
7.Economics, Yale University54.25.787%4.04.013.34.720.2443.010%740740
8.Economics, University of Chicago54.15.792%4.63.423.75.025.2317.040%715725
9.Economics, Northwestern University52.95.297%4.04.214.24.415.8472.230%715695
9.Managerial Economics & Strategy, Northwestern University52.95.297%4.04.214.24.415.8472.230%715695
9.Economics, University of California-Los Angeles52.95.285%3.64.29.74.121.0641.623%665630
12.Economics, University of Pennsylvania52.05.291%3.94.513.04.414.8513.521%725705
13.Economics, University of California-Berkeley50.16.290%4.14.215.44.624.6413.725%685645
14.Economics, University of Maryland-College Park39.15.784%3.02.832.33.518.6473.649%650625
15.Economics, Columbia University in the City of New York36.65.793%3.42.42.64.120.4363.913%725715
16.Economics, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor35.06.192%3.73.912.34.012.6462.557%680640
17.Economics, University of Rochester32.95.596%4.04.615.64.010.8274.546%670650
18.Economics, University of California-San Diego31.85.090%3.83.819.03.89.2302.039%655605
19.Agricultural & Applied Economics, University of Wisconsin-Madison29.54.992%3.83.07.83.922.6286.371%650615
20.Economics, Brown University28.34.790%3.42.76.33.39.0302.015%725710
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
21.Economics, Cornell University28.14.988%3.43.16.63.611.2302.527%710675
22.Economics, New York University27.65.078%3.22.57.53.616.0371.537%665665
23.Economics, University of Wisconsin-Madison26.64.992%3.83.07.83.919.0286.371%650615
24.Economics, Boston University22.96.384%2.84.617.33.410.8363.155%655645
25.Economics, Duke University22.85.781%3.32.97.83.49.4322.522%725705
26.Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign20.26.188%2.92.22.63.114.4553.968%675615
27.Economics, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities17.05.897%4.12.94.34.214.6186.070%630600
28.Economics, University of Virginia-Main Campus13.75.988%3.33.36.23.26.4262.638%670655
29.Economics, The University of Texas at Austin12.15.986%2.72.32.32.912.0401.751%630605
30.Economics, Michigan State University11.15.964%3.13.312.23.111.8442.076%585555
31.Economics, Washington University in St Louis10.65.988%2.82.33.83.06.4223.119%730710
32.Economics/Economic Development, Vanderbilt University10.35.780%2.54.014.62.46.4212.935%695675
33.Human Resources and Industrial Relations, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities10.25.897%2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*14.627*3.1*70%630600
34.Economics, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus8.95.278%2.63.05.02.59.2422.758%610580
34.Energy, Environmental and Min. Economics, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus8.95.278%2.63.05.02.59.2422.758%610580
36.Labor and Industrial Relations, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign8.56.188%2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*14.427*3.1*68%675615
37.Economics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill8.36.175%3.22.53.53.27.6333.036%650640
38.Economics (Incl Agricultural Economics), Iowa State University8.25.259%2.92.93.02.87.0571.590%620595
38.Industrial Relations, Iowa State University8.25.259%2.92.93.02.87.0571.590%620595
40.Economics, University of Washington-Seattle Campus7.35.772%3.22.914.73.211.6244.767%610590
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
41.Economics, University of Southern California7.25.973%2.64.19.32.75.8233.327%690665
42.Economics, North Carolina State University at Raleigh6.35.880%2.44.15.82.68.0362.759%615580
43.Economics, Carnegie Mellon University5.25.488%2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*0.627*3.1*39%720660
44.Economics, University of Iowa5.15.2100%2.93.46.93.04.6203.084%600585
45.Economics, Brandeis University4.54.770%2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*4.227*3.1*40%675675
46.Economics, Boston College4.25.788%2.52.42.92.58.6213.631%680655
47.Economics, Emory University2.65.776%*2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*2.827*3.1*39%700680
48.Economics, Texas A & M University2.55.272%2.73.24.52.810.6273.470%615585
49.Economics, University of California-Irvine2.15.079%2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*6.827*3.1*52%620580
50.Economics, University of Pittsburgh-Main Campus2.05.681%2.72.14.82.85.0292.049%625610
51.Economics, Indiana University-Bloomington1.66.091%2.73.24.82.510.6292.385%560550
52.Economics, Johns Hopkins University1.56.789%3.02.92.52.910.0116.435%705680
53.Economics, Ohio State University-Main Campus1.45.782%2.72.02.92.810.2352.973%580560
54.Economics, Rice University1.05.777%2.21.810.52.54.8152.625%725710
55.Economics, Cornell University-Ny State Statutory Colleges0.85.8*77%*2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*1.627*3.1*30%680665
56.Agricultural & Applied Econ - AAEC, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University-0.35.282%2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*5.627*3.1*72%615585
57.Economics, Western Michigan University-0.74.276%*2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*2.627*3.1*85%627*609*
58.Economics - ECAS, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University-0.85.282%2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*5.027*3.1*72%615585
58.Economics, Agriculture - ECAG, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University-0.85.282%2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*5.027*3.1*72%615585
60.Economics, University of California-Santa Barbara-1.96.088%2.52.42.62.46.4271.753%600580
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
61.Economics, Oregon State University-2.14.7100%*2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*1.427*3.1*90%550530
62.Economics, University of California-Davis-2.36.177%2.33.55.12.87.4242.355%615565
63.Economics (Master's and PhD), George Mason University-2.85.865%2.15.27.22.517.4227.569%560545
63.Economics, University of Colorado at Boulder-2.85.777%2.63.24.72.38.6282.588%600580
65.Economics, University of Arizona-3.25.395%2.42.75.22.85.2191.888%565560
66.Economics, Florida State University-4.15.282%1.93.54.12.03.2301.362%585575
67.Economics, Georgetown University-4.35.869%1.92.92.72.38.2153.721%695695
68.Economics, Rutgers University-New Brunswick/Piscataway-5.06.175%2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*5.627*3.1*61%615580
68.Industrial Relations & Human Resources, Rutgers University-New Brunswick/Piscataway-5.06.175%2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*5.627*3.1*61%615580
70.Economics, Southern Methodist University-6.65.778%1.85.34.42.01.8160.258%620610
71.Economics (Doctorate Only), CUNY Graduate School and University Center-7.25.177%2.31.73.32.37.4224.957%*627*609*
72.Economics, Kansas State University-7.35.655%2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*4.827*3.1*48%627*609*
73.Applied Economics and Finance, University of California-Santa Cruz-8.05.767%2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*5.227*3.1*69%585580
73.International Economics, University of California-Santa Cruz-8.05.767%2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*5.227*3.1*69%585580
75.Economics, Saint Louis University-Main Campus-8.55.8*76%*2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*0.627*3.1*76%610600
76.Economics, University of Southern Mississippi-9.15.8*76%*2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*2.427*3.1*37%520525
77.Economics, University of Florida-9.24.738%2.63.34.62.73.6211.057%640620
78.Economics, Texas Tech University-9.54.962%2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*3.227*3.1*71%575555
79.Economics, Stony Brook University-9.65.275%2.61.72.92.74.6183.951%610570
79.Economics, Syracuse University-9.65.167%2.12.22.92.24.4261.665%620595
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
81.Economics, University of Delaware-9.86.560%2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*5.227*3.1*47%610595
82.Economics, Wayne State University-10.67.575%2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*3.827*3.1*63%627*609*
83.Business and Economics, Catholic University of America-11.25.8*76%*2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*0.627*3.1*82%565580
84.Economics, Florida International University-11.54.958%2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*1.827*3.1*61%550555
85.Economics - ECON, University of Kentucky-11.66.289%1.93.76.61.94.0192.479%575565
86.Economics and Econometrics, University of Notre Dame-11.86.381%1.51.31.01.55.4243.832%700685
87.Economics, Arizona State University at the Tempe Campus-12.04.988%1.83.73.61.92.0181.291%560550
87.Economics, University of Massachusetts-Amherst-12.08.284%2.62.42.92.49.2281.780%575565
89.Economics, The New School-12.47.768%2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*8.427*3.1*51%560565
90.Economics, Middle Tennessee State University-12.56.983%2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*2.027*3.1*71%555545
91.Economics, University of Oregon-12.85.086%1.63.32.02.04.2191.691%560555
92.Economics, University of New Mexico-Main Campus-14.56.773%2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*3.627*3.1*74%535540
93.Economics, Kent State University-Kent Campus-15.85.8*76%*2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*0.827*3.1*94%515515
93.Economics, Purdue University-Main Campus-15.85.567%2.72.32.52.46.8163.785%590555
95.Economics, University of Missouri-Columbia-17.23.277%0.91.01.11.09.4142.683%595600
95.Economics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee-17.24.967%1.32.31.61.26.8231.289%627*609*
97.Economics, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College-17.35.356%1.74.35.21.52.0230.978%600575
98.Economics, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus-18.46.747%2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*3.227*3.1*86%627*609*
99.Economics, American University-18.66.764%1.51.91.01.711.0224.451%625645
100.Economics, University of California-Riverside-19.65.770%1.31.92.21.76.4301.874%565510
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
101.Economics, University of Houston-20.05.974%2.01.61.22.15.2252.281%550520
102.Economics, Georgia State University-21.06.270%1.71.61.31.85.2251.356%550540
103.Economics, George Washington University-22.18.769%1.81.81.11.86.8263.238%640640
104.Economics, SUNY at Buffalo-22.55.664%1.92.11.72.11.4162.356%595565
105.Labor Relations and Human Resources, University of Rhode Island-23.07.255%2.4*2.9*6.3*2.6*2.427*3.1*79%550535
106.Economics, University of Illinois at Chicago-23.36.764%1.43.53.91.73.2182.058%605570
107.Economics, University of Connecticut-23.56.973%1.32.32.71.47.6225.451%600585
108.Economics (School of Economic Sciences), Washington State University-24.13.963%1.51.51.81.42.8193.174%560545
109.Economics, University of Kansas Main Campus-25.95.746%1.71.83.71.73.8181.769%627*609*
110.Economics, SUNY at Albany-26.66.575%1.41.50.71.73.4202.956%575555
111.Economics, University of South Carolina-Columbia-27.37.773%1.52.54.51.92.6171.467%580570
112.Economics, SUNY at Binghamton-28.46.347%1.90.50.41.93.2203.043%650615
113.Economics, Claremont Graduate University-28.75.074%1.92.32.32.09.0318.757%*627*609*
114.Economics, Colorado State University-29.85.688%0.52.01.30.86.4144.188%565555
115.Economics and Business, Colorado School of Mines-31.45.278%0.71.21.00.73.092.085%645600
116.Economics, Southern Illinois University Carbondale-31.57.260%1.35.52.81.74.8134.277%520520
117.Ecological Economics, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute-31.84.753%0.82.81.10.71.482.478%685635
118.Economics, University of New Hampshire-Main Campus-32.65.588%0.60.70.00.71.0150.972%570560
119.Economics, Temple University-33.48.076%*0.91.31.71.11.8321.363%550540
119.Economics, University of Utah-33.47.271%1.00.80.81.25.0202.786%627*609*
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
121.Economics, University of Nebraska at Lincoln-33.86.259%0.52.11.91.22.4202.175%605595
122.Economics, University of Hawaii at Manoa-36.58.060%1.02.31.71.45.0222.565%570535
123.Economics, Clark University-37.55.758%0.40.80.60.64.8110.362%595610
124.Economics, Fordham University-41.27.059%0.91.10.80.97.2169.150%590600
125.Economics, Northeastern University-42.07.070%0.11.60.70.52.0103.447%625605
126.Economics, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus-42.95.967%0.80.30.10.91.4101.677%565545
127.Economics, Northern Illinois University-49.110.978%*0.71.60.81.02.0261.770%538520
128.Economics, Howard University-53.28.250%0.60.80.50.82.8134.147%565560
128.Economics, Utah State University-53.29.760%0.82.90.70.62.6131.592%555550

Item Descriptions

Your Score
Your customized program score is a weighted sum of points for each item. The weights were selected on this page. For an item with importance weight W, a program receives W × S points for being S standard deviations above average. Larger values are better.
Years to Degree (Yrs)
Median time lapse from entering graduate school at the doctorate-granting institution to receipt of doctorate in years. Note that time spent obtaining a master's degree at a different institution is not counted. Your weight = -4. Smaller values are better. (SED, 2000-2004)
Placement Rate (Job)
Percentage of doctorate recipients from the program with definite plans at graduation (either a job or a postdoctoral position). Your weight = 4. Larger values are better. (SED, 2000-2004)
Educational Effectiveness (Ed Eff)
Program effectiveness in educating research scholars and scientists, 1993. Scale of 0 to 5, with 0 denoting "Not Effective" and 5 denoting "Extremely Effective." Your weight = 5. Larger values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Publications per Faculty Member (Pub / Fac)
The ratio of the number of program publications in the period 1988-1992 to the number of program faculty. Your weight = 3. Larger values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Citations per Faculty Member (Cite / Fac)
The ratio of the number of citations of program publications in the period 1988-1992 to the number of program faculty. Your weight = 3. Larger values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Faculty Quality (Fac Qual)
Scholarly quality of program faculty, 1993. Scale of 0 to 5, with 0 denoting "Not sufficient for doctoral education" and 5 denoting "Distinguished." Your weight = 5. Larger values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Doctorates Granted per Year (Deg / Yr)
The average number of doctorates granted by the program per year between 2001 and 2005. Your weight = 5. Larger values are better. (IPEDS, 2001-2005)
Number of Faculty (# Fac)
Total number of faculty participating in the program. Your weight = 5. Larger values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Grad Student / Faculty Ratio (Stu / Fac)
The number of graduate students per faculty member. Your weight = -2. Smaller values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Undergraduate Acceptance Rate (UG Acc)
The percentage of applicants the institution accepts into its undergraduate programs. Your weight = -2. Smaller values are better. (IPEDS, 2005)
Math SAT Score (SAT-M)
The average of the 25th and 75th percentile mathematics SAT scores for undergraduates at the institution. Your weight = 2. Larger values are better. (IPEDS, 2005)
Verbal SAT Score (SAT-V)
The average of the 25th and 75th percentile verbal SAT scores for undergraduates at the institution. Your weight = 2. Larger values are better. (IPEDS, 2005)
Missing Values
Missing values have been replaced with the average value for all programs in the field.

Data Sources

Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
IPEDS is an annual, comprehensive set of surveys of all colleges and universities in the United States. The surveys are conducted by the National Center for Education StatisticsLearn more
National Research Council
The National Research Council conducts assessments of doctoral programs in the United States every 10 to 15 years). The data we use are from the most recent assessment, the 1995 study Research-Doctorate Programs in the United States: Continuity and Change. Learn more about the NRC study's methods here; order a copy here. The next NRC assessment is scheduled for release in Summer 2009.  Learn more
Survey of Earned Doctorates
The NSF/NIH/NEH/USED/USDA/NASA Survey of Earned Doctorates is an annual survey of all new recipients of doctorates from US universities at graduation. The average of the response rates for the 2000–2004 surveys was 92%.  Learn more
Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering
The Survey is an annual assessment of the number and characteristics of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in science, engineering, and health-related fields. It is conducted by the National Science FoundationLearn more
* Value is missing. The value shown is based on the average for other programs in the same field. Learn more.
Data are for all Economics degree recipients from the institution and may include graduates from more than one program.
The graduate school rankings on PhDs.org have been made possible by
grants from The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and The Burroughs Wellcome Fund.
The Center for Science and the Media served as the project's fiscal sponsor.