Best Economics Programs in Maryland for 2027

Maryland draws a useful distinction between its two economics tracks: the BA emphasizes interpreting economic analysis, while the BS emphasizes producing it. The BS requires Methods and Tools for Economic Analysis, or an approved calculus-and-statistics alternative, followed by Econometrics I. The BA offers several quantitative methods choices and room for an approved experiential learning course. Students are advised to choose their track before intermediate theory, because the BA and BS use different course sequences.

Track Choice

BA for breadth in interpreting economic analysis, BS for producing it; decide before intermediate theory

Quantitative Methods

BS requires ECON300 Methods and Tools for Economic Analysis, or MATH241 plus a statistics course, or STAT401

Experiential Learning

BA includes ECON386 or an approved experiential learning course

Grade Rules

C- or better in every major requirement, and at most three ECON courses per semester

Program Sources: ECON Major Requirements | University of MarylandECON Major Requirements | University of Maryland

Johns Hopkins classifies its economics BA as a STEM degree, a designation that matters to international students weighing work authorization after graduation. The major is ten courses: Elements of Macro and Micro, Micro and Macro Theory, Econometrics, three electives at the 200 or 300 level and two at the 300 level, plus one semester each of calculus and statistics before the theory and econometrics courses. Internships and independent study do not count toward those ten, and an honors degree requires a senior thesis. For graduate school, the department recommends linear algebra, Calculus III and probability, and at least five courses must be taken at JHU.

Major Size

Ten economics courses, at least five taken at Johns Hopkins

Graduate School Prep

Linear algebra, Calculus III and probability recommended; honors requires a senior thesis

Program Sources: Major Requirements | Economics | Johns Hopkins University

UMBC's economics BA is at least 43 credits with a C or better in every major course and at least 21 credits of economics taken at UMBC. Beyond intermediate micro and macro, majors choose one of Quantitative Methods for Management, Introduction to Econometrics or Time Series and Forecasting, and take calculus and a statistics course. Departmental honors needs a 3.7 combined GPA in the theory courses and individual research. The accelerated pathway lets undergraduates start a master's in economic policy analysis, offered with the School of Public Policy, and finish both in as few as five years.

Degree Size

At least 43 credits, 21 or more of them in UMBC economics courses

Accelerated Master's

Master's in Economic Policy Analysis; 3.0 overall and 3.4 economics GPA to enter

Program Sources: Bachelor’s / Master’s Accelerated Program, Department of Economics, UMBC

Towson's economics major takes 36 to 37 units and is part of the business and economics division. The standard major uses two statistics for business and economics courses, Intermediate Price Theory and calculus for applications, plus two 400-level electives. Two separate tracks sharpen the focus: a Financial Economics track and a Mathematical Economics track, which the department advises for students aiming at quantitative careers or graduate school in economics. Transfer students need at least 15 economics units from Towson to qualify for the major.

Major Size

36 to 37 units

Tracks

Financial Economics and Mathematical Economics

Program Sources: Major in Economics < Towson University

Frostburg offers economics as a Bachelor of Science with three optional concentrations that point to different jobs: business economics for private-sector work or an MBA, public policy economics for government and policy organizations, and quantitative economics for consulting, forecasting, graduate study or law school. Small classes are taught by faculty who stress active learning and practical applications of theory. You can pair a concentration with a second major or minor, and electives let you build your own emphasis, which suits students who want a flexible plan in Western Maryland.

Concentrations

Business economics, public policy economics, quantitative economics

Flexibility

Concentrations can be combined with an additional major or minor

Program Sources: Economics | Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

St. Mary's College of Maryland teaches economics as a liberal arts major, starting with a core of theory and moving into applications to public and social policy. The aim is to give you a rational basis for evaluating American and other economies and forming informed judgments on public and private issues. You can focus on government and social issues, business, global money and trade, or the ideas themselves. Study abroad, internships, hands-on classes and independent research are encouraged, and there is a graduate pathway partnership with Towson University.

Focus Options

Government and social issues, business, global money and trade, economic ideas

Beyond The Classroom

Study abroad, internships, independent research

Program Sources: Economics | SMCM

Salisbury's economics BA has three tracks. The Environmental Economics track covers resource economics, sustainability and climate change, the Quantitative Economics track adds three upper-level mathematics courses such as advanced statistics, real analysis or linear algebra, and the Traditional track is the general route. The degree leaves 36 hours of free electives, so many students add finance, political science, mathematics, history or philosophy as a minor or second major. Undergraduate research is part of the program, and recent graduates have gone on to graduate programs at schools such as George Washington and William & Mary.

Tracks

Environmental Economics, Quantitative Economics and Traditional

Free Electives

36 hours, enough for a minor or second major

Program Sources: Economics Major | Salisbury University

Maryland pairs a three-course major field with a two-course minor and an econometrics sequence. The major culminates in either a written examination or a field paper. In the third year, students begin directed research through workshops connected to their dissertation interests. Workshop groupings bring together subjects such as international trade, institutions, and political economy, or development, labor, and public economics, giving related specialties a shared research setting.

Qualifying Exams

Written exams in micro and macro theory the summer after year one

Major And Minor Fields

Three-course major sequence with an exam or field paper, plus a two-course minor sequence

Third-Year Workshops

Two workshops in different semesters, such as development, labor and public economics or industrial organization and behavioral economics

Dissertation

At least 12 credits of ECON899 Doctoral Dissertation Research

Program Sources: Economics Ph.D. | University of Maryland Catalog

Johns Hopkins front-loads the PhD: two years of coursework, with year one built from two semesters each of micro theory, macro theory and statistics and econometrics plus a fall course in mathematical thinking. Three written comprehensive exams come before the third term, a research paper is due in the fourth, and a dissertation proposal in the sixth. The dissertation committee has a majority of faculty from outside the department. The department says four years is possible, but five or six is typical. Students can earn a master's along the way.

Comprehensive Exams

Three written exams in micro, macro and econometrics before the third term

Milestones

Research paper in term four; dissertation proposal in term six

Program Sources: Program Requirements | Economics | Johns Hopkins University

Prince George's Community College offers its Economics A.A. as a 60-credit transfer degree, and the program is available completely online. It is built as a foundation for a bachelor's in economics, mixing social science, business and social policy, and the coursework teaches supply, demand, marginal analysis and opportunity cost. The degree suits students who plan to move on to a four-year school in public policy, business or finance.

Program Length

60 credits; transfer degree

Format

Available completely online

Program Sources: Economics, A.A. | Prince George's Community College