My son is a high school senior deciding on college. He has been undecided, but is now leaning towards economics as his major. His top choices are:
Northeastern (with a first semester in Prague). pro: likes the feel of the school, being in the city, and the co-op and study abroad opportunities, diverse and strong student population, flexibility in picking a major and minor. Negatives: overcrowded, unsure of the level of the econ program itself, co-ops not guaranteed and hard to secure, iffy advising and administrative support, won’t qualify for BU guaranteed transfer if he were to transfer as a sophomore, and studying abroad first semester might make transferring elsewhere as a sophomore also harder.
Pitt (honors college) - with the option to transfer to BU as a sophomore; Just started considering it again. Pros: Higher ranked undergrad econ program, got honors college and merit aid - much cheaper than NEU, also in a vibrant city, would work with guaranteed transfer to BU and also with other transfer options if he chooses that. Cons: giant intro classes for econ, less diverse student body - maybe less academically strong (?), internships etc. probably geared more for PA.
UMass (honors college) - also with the option to transfer to BU. Pros: cheapest option, decent econ department, nice housing at the Honors College and food. Cons: in the middle of nowhere (he loves being in a city), no opportunity to do music or art as a non major, has had very serious problems with antisemitism in the past two school years.
BU (guaranteed sophomore transfer if he goes to a US college freshman year). Pro: highly ranked econ program, in Boston (which he wants). Cons: no real campus, would have to deal with being a transfer, iffy advising, also expensive (but offset with a cheaper year freshman year either at UMass or Pitt). But if he chooses to transfer from wherever he goes freshman year, he would apply to other schools as well - not just BU.
Any thoughts? Specifically on the quality of the econ programs at each. Trying to see how much those might outweigh other considerations.