Curriculum-wise, economics major BA/BS programs consist of the following:
- Core: introductory economics, intermediate microeconomics, intermediate macroeconomics, econometrics.
- Several upper level economics electives.
- Math and statistics prerequisites for the intermediate economics and econometrics courses.
Differences between different colleges’ economics majors would be in:
- Math and statistics prerequisites for the intermediate economics and econometrics courses:
- Low math: no calculus, introductory statistics (e.g. AP statistics level).
- Medium math: single variable calculus, introductory statistics (may require calculus-based).
- High math: multivariable calculus and/or linear algebra, introductory statistics (often calculus-based). Note: pre-PhD students are recommended to take even more math and statistics, such as real analysis and probability theory.
- What upper level economics electives are offered.
Curricular fit of a college’s economics major for a given student can be evaluated based on the above (math and statistics prerequisites and upper level electives).