Best Economics Programs in Louisiana for 2027

Tulane offers economics as a BA or a BS, and the difference is quantitative depth. Both require intermediate micro and macro theory (passed with at least a C-) and a four-credit Econometrics course with a STATA lab. The BS adds Calculus I and II, a mathematical economics or game theory course and four upper-level electives, and the catalog calls it rigorous preparation for advanced study or strong business programs. The BA needs five upper-level electives, at least two at the 4000 level, and fits students blending economics with a liberal arts schedule. Students bound for graduate economics are advised to add multivariable calculus, probability and linear algebra, and an honors thesis is available.

BS Mathematics

Calculus I and II plus Mathematical Economics or Game Theory

Econometrics

Four-credit Econometrics with STATA Lab for both degrees

Graduate Preparation

Calculus III, probability and linear algebra recommended

Program Sources: Economics, BS | Tulane University CatalogEconomics, BA | Tulane University Catalog

LSU's economics degree sits in the E. J. Ourso College of Business and runs 120 hours. Its coverage ranges from micro, macro and econometrics to economic growth and development, public policy, international trade and finance, healthcare economics and labor economics. An optional Empirical Economic Analysis concentration is open to economics and international trade and finance majors and focuses on analyzing business and economic data to solve real problems. The department publishes internship guidelines and has a dedicated advising contact, and graduates have gone to employers such as Southwest Airlines, Halliburton and Ernst and Young as economists, risk analysts, planners and investment analysts.

Concentration

Empirical Economic Analysis

Subject Range

Healthcare, labor, international trade and economic development

College

E. J. Ourso College of Business

Program Sources: BS Economics | LSU Department of Economics

Loyola teaches economics from more than one theoretical tradition. In intermediate macroeconomics, for example, the course set runs from classical and Keynesian thinking through monetarism and supply-side economics to Post Keynesian ideas, including Minsky's financial instability hypothesis, and Austrian economics. Econometrics is applied, with STATA exercises and a research project, and law and economics and international economics are among the electives. The BBA places the economics inside a core in business, management and finance, and the Portfolio Career Program connects students with local professionals and coaches. The department notes that students publish peer-reviewed journal articles with faculty.

Theory Coverage

Keynesian, monetarist, Post Keynesian and Austrian approaches in macroeconomics

Econometrics Project

STATA exercises and a comprehensive statistical research project

Career Program

Portfolio Career Program with local professionals and coaches

Program Sources: Economics | Loyola University New Orleans College of Business

Centenary houses economics in the Frost School of Business and keeps the major compact: 38 hours built from five required economics courses and twelve credit hours of electives at the 300 level or above, plus a college math course for four credits. The program aims to prepare students to work through problems facing businesses, financial firms, non-profits and government, and listed career paths include city manager, research analyst, entrepreneur, financial planner and stockbroker. Other majors can add a 20-hour minor. Frost School students also gain access to internships and the Student Managed Investment Fund, which business administration majors manage with real dollars each semester.

Major Size

38 hours including 12 elective hours at the 300 level or above

Math Requirement

Four-credit MATH 109 or higher

Minor Option

20-hour economics minor for other majors

Program Sources: Bachelor of Arts in Economics at Centenary College | Centenary College of Louisiana

Tulane's economics PhD is small, applied and interdisciplinary, and accepted students are funded for five years, conditional on progress. The 48-credit program starts with two semesters each of microeconomics and econometrics, one of macroeconomics and a course on applied econometric methods for policy analysis. Later field work draws on partners such as the Freeman School of Business, the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine and the Murphy Institute, in three concentrations: health, education and human capital; public economics and policy; and development, inequality and poverty. A summer preliminary exam, a field paper, a prospectus defense and a dissertation proposal mark the path, and an MS is available after 36 credit hours.

Concentrations

Health and human capital; public economics; development and poverty

Milestones

Preliminary exam, field paper, prospectus defense, proposal and dissertation

Funding

Five years of funding conditional on progress

Program Sources: Economics, PhD | Tulane University Catalog

LSU's economics PhD is STEM-designated under CIP 45.0603, which lets international students apply for the 24-month F-1 OPT extension. The 72-hour plan has macro and micro theory in year one, then three specialized fields: macroeconomics (growth, monetary or international macro), microeconomics (industrial organization, health, trade, public finance, game theory or labor) and econometrics. Written qualifying exams in macro and micro come each August, a third-year research paper presented to the department doubles as the MS final exam, and a dissertation defense ends the degree. The department encourages students to begin research as soon as coursework finishes. Assistantships include a stipend and tuition waiver.

Qualifying Exams

Macro and micro exams each August after the first year

Third-Year Paper

Original paper presented in an open seminar by mid-February

Micro Field Options

Industrial organization, health, trade, public finance, game theory, labor

Program Sources: PhD in Economics | LSU Department of Economics