Four universities producing leaders in economics across North America

Today’s economists must be agile, analytical, and attuned in a world described to be “at an inflection point” and during “one of the most uncertain geopolitical and geoeconomic moments in generations.” 

Over half (52%) of chief risk officers are projecting an “unsettled” short-term future, citing conflict, misinformation and severe weather as their most immediate concerns. In the longer term, responsible, people-centric AI is predicted to unlock US$1.2 trillion for consumer industries and the global energy transition has reached a critical tipping point with renewable sources now 41% cheaper than fossil fuels for solar. 

It’s within this context that businesses now seek economists with advanced skillsets to make choices that benefit both society and sustainability. Specifically, they need talent with advanced degrees that have equipped them with the tools to bridge markets, models, and meaning.  

Source: Kansas State University, Department of Economics

Kansas State University

World-class research and teaching faculty. Research that’s published in top-tier journals and publications. Graduates who work in leading positions across the globe. That’s what’s in store for those who pursue economics at Kansas State University (K-State).

K-State’s Department of Economics is a powerhouse in economics education, renowned for its cutting-edge research, comprehensive programmes, and an impressive 96% placement rate for its graduates. Here, economics is seen as an exciting and critically important field of study, and being here means you’ll be prepared for rewarding careers in the industry, something which student Noah Enders benefited from. “My academic experiences at K-State opened my mind to new perspectives and paved the way for innovative approaches in public policy,” says Enders, who is now working at the Kansas Legislative Division of Post Audit.

Whether you’re seeking a career in business, government, academics or other industries, the K-State Master of Arts in Economics sets you up with a framework of thinking that will serve you well in a variety of future vocations. You can choose from three curriculum tracks – Applied Economics, Econometrics, or Ph.D. Preparation – all of which will allow you to align your degree to your career goals. Interested in preparing for postdoctoral study? There is the option to take on the same courses and qualifying exams as PhD students.

Being a graduate student here means you have the flexibility to choose your path. You can complete your master’s programme on campus, entirely online or opt for a hybrid arrangement, spending one or two semesters on campus. You can avoid the cost and disruption of relocating to a new country for all or part of the programme, especially for working professionals or those with family commitments.

Visit the K-State Department of Economics here.

Research and teaching at the University of Toronto support evolving economists as they help to solve the most complex issues of our time. Source: Department of Economics, University of Toronto

University of Toronto 

Since 1888, economics has been the most popular discipline among undergraduate students at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Arts and Science, with nearly 70% taking at least one course during their studies.  

Today, the Department of Economics is one of the largest in the Faculty of Arts and Science, with more than 3,000 students, and ranked among the top 20 globally and first in Canada (Tilburg University Top 100 Worldwide Economics Schools Research Ranking).  

A wide variety of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes are available here, ranging from the Economics Minor, Major, and Specialist Programmes to various joint programmes, including the highly popular Specialist Programme in Commerce and Finance, offered jointly with the Rotman School of Management. 

Master’s and PhD programmes here aim to enhance capacity for economic analysis through rigorous instruction in theory, econometrics, and a wide range of related fields. It’s education that wins awards – recently, a second year PhD student of economics won the best poster award at a biotechnology conference and another was named one of the winners of the inaugural Rising Star Award for her job market paper “Skill Mismatches and Earnings Inequality Among College Graduates.” 

Because of the size and diversity of the teaching staff, students can readily specialise in almost any area of interest. Candidates may take courses in political science, management, history and other allied fields as well. All of this makes for a well-rounded education, as seen in how graduates are in de-mand in academia, industry, and government. Graduates often go on to hold professorial positions and secure employment in the public service and private industry.

UC Irvine has also ranked within the top 10 for best value according to the Princeton Review. Source: UC Irvine School of Social Sciences, Department of Economics

UC Irvine 

A programmatic powerhouse. Financial aid and funding. A lens-worthy location. These are just a few reasons that students choose the UC Irvine School of Social Sciences for their graduate pursuits. Its Department of Economics has expertise that spans many applied fields, including economic history, industrial organisation, international economics, labour economics, public choice and public finance, transportation economics, and urban economics. 

The department offers both bachelor’s and postdoctoral programmes. Undergraduate students can choose from three majors: Economics, Business Economics, and Quantitative Economics. For those seeking an advanced education, the UCI graduate programme is ranked 18th among all public economics programmes in the country according to US News & World Report, making it a top choice for those who want expert instruction in the field.  

The department’s 34 expert faculty members bring a wealth of research experience and teaching expertise across a wide array of economic disciplines. They’ve helped spur the department’s national reputation — further buoyed by the presence of renowned senior scholars and a dynamic group of younger economists whose work is making waves across the country. 

Graduates walk these same paths. Alumni have gone on to find jobs locally or abroad in academia, government agencies and central banks, and in the private sector, working with technology companies, finance, and private research organisations.  

The faculty in charge at the Florida State University Department of Economics is as multifaceted as the discipline itself. Source: Florida State University Department of Economics

Florida State University

Engaging today’s world and producing tomorrow’s leaders since 1973 – that’s the motto of Florida State University’s Department of Economics. It’s the largest department in the university’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, with 32 full-time faculty and an active research programme.  

While undergraduate programmes here prepare students for careers in business, government, and academia, graduate programmes remain the department’s standout offerings. The master’s programme has a strong applied focus, and is designed to be completed in just 12 months. At the end of the programme, a capstone project provides experiential learning in economic research, from data analysis to presenting findings. 

The PhD programme is the most comprehensive in the Florida, and has graduated over 250 doctoral students since 1967. Being part of this programme means you’ll work closely with faculty, alumni, and civic leaders to apply economic theory to real-world data and consulting projects.  

Twice a year, the department hosts Career Day, which brings in recruiters and professionals – often alumni – for workshops, talks, and networking sessions, offering valuable advice for students seeking internships, preparing for the job market, or even connecting with potential employers. This is when students get to take part in mock interviews, join panel discussions and network with individuals from organisations such as the Florida Department of Revenue, Office of Tax Research, Charles River Associates, and so on. 

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International