<p>Hi all! Are there any rankings on the strength of undergraduate economics programs? If there isn’t one, which colleges/universities do you think has the strongest and most challenging economics program? Thank you</p>
<p>Depends on what your stats are.</p>
<p>SAT: 2280 Breakdown: CR 720 Math 800 Writing 760. Math level 2 790. GPA 4.00 unweighted, no weighed GPA calculated. From public school in a poor Asian country from which not many people get into Ivies or other very selective schools.</p>
<p>Which asian country? </p>
<p>Your GPA and SAT are perfectly fine. I assume you need financial aid?
extracurricular activities or awards?</p>
<p>Mongolia 
Yes, applying for financial aid. Extracurricular activities above average and awards - very good (I guess)</p>
<p>I think not many Mongolian students come to US for study, so diversity may somewhat alleviate your international status’ disadvantage. Can you list your stats?
Are you a senior? Did you start college app yet?</p>
<p><a href=“Top 25 Ranked Business And Economics Programs With The Best Return On Investment (ROI) - Best Value Schools”>http://www.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/top-25-ranked-business-and-economics-programs-with-the-best-return-on-investment-roi/</a></p>
<p>These schools are very good in economics, but look for schools like NU, Uchicago, Ivy league for FA</p>
<p>Senior. Written my application essay and filled in my application. Thank you 
1 more question: Isn’t NYU stingy with financial aid? :D</p>
<p>Yes, NYU is stingy with financial aid, and the costs of living in New York City are outrageous. I think paul2752 meant Northwestern University. </p>
<p>Yes, I meant Northwestern.</p>
<p>Don’t apply to NYU because the aid is not only awful, but also offered for 1st years only for int students </p>
<p>Chicago is very generous on aids to admitted internationals but they are need aware. You may want to try Almhurst, it’s need blind for international and will look for diversity. </p>
<p>Is your goal pre-PhD?</p>
<p>If so, then a strong undergraduate economics program will include substantial math content, and will encourage the students to take additional junior/senior level math and statistics courses that are applicable to the study of economics at the PhD level. Most such economics programs will be found at highly selective schools like Chicago, MIT, etc… However, most economics programs at US universities are less math-oriented, because most economics majors are pre-professional/business and have no need or interest in advanced math.</p>
<p>Regardless of the strength and how math-oriented the economics program is, a pre-PhD student in economics should take junior/senior level math courses like real analysis and proof-based linear algebra, and junior/senior level probability theory and statistics, as these are expected preparation for PhD study in economics.</p>
<p>At much lower levels of admission selectivity, some schools offer large merit scholarships to international students. <a href=“http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/howard-us-kathmandu-connection-nepal-emerges-as-top-source-of-foreign-students/2014/08/27/4cd70376-2a20-11e4-958c-268a320a60ce_story.html”>http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/howard-us-kathmandu-connection-nepal-emerges-as-top-source-of-foreign-students/2014/08/27/4cd70376-2a20-11e4-958c-268a320a60ce_story.html</a> focuses on Howard, but there are four other universities mentioned in it. However, the economics programs are likely be more pre-professional/business and less math-oriented than what is optimal for a pre-PhD student.</p>
<p>Apply to Howard as soon as possible because the scholarships are first served</p>
<p>Thank you. Very helpful comments.</p>