Best Economics Programs in New Jersey for 2027

Princeton builds its economics major around two year-long research projects. Juniors write a paper in ECO 396 and ECO 398, and every senior completes a thesis in ECO 498 and ECO 499, defended orally as the senior comprehensive exam. Before that, you take micro, macro and econometrics in a standard or more mathematical version, so the calculus-based track suits students who want a theory-heavy path. Five electives follow, and up to two may be approved cognates from other departments. Planning an empirical thesis points you toward ECO 313, while a theoretical one points toward ECO 317 or ECO 418. The core courses and junior paper must average a C or better to reach senior standing.

Independent Work

Junior paper (ECO 396 and 398) and senior thesis (ECO 498 and 499)

Senior Exam

Oral presentation and defense of the senior thesis

Core Versions

Micro, macro and econometrics each offered in standard and more mathematical forms

Electives

Five 300 to 500-level economics courses, with at most two cognates

Program Sources: Major Requirements, Princeton Department of EconomicsIndependent Work, Princeton Department of Economics

The New Brunswick major is a quantitative one: intermediate micro, intermediate macro and econometrics, with calculus and statistics sitting behind them as prerequisites. Seven electives complete it, at least four of them 400-level, and the upper tier includes machine learning for economics, forecasting and big data, and panel econometrics alongside health, labor, trade and game theory. Qualified students can write an honors thesis through the two-semester Honors Research Seminar, and a double major with data science is available. Intermediate theory and econometrics taken at Newark or Camden will not count toward this major, so transfer between Rutgers campuses needs planning.

Core Sequence

Intermediate micro and macro plus Econometrics, each needing a C or better

Electives

Seven electives, at least four at the 400 level

Advanced Options

Machine Learning for Economics, Economic Forecasting and Big Data, Honors Research Seminar I and II

Double Major

Economics with data science

Program Sources: Major Requirements, Rutgers Department of Economics

TCNJ lets you choose between a liberal arts BA and a more business-oriented BS, and both end in a required senior thesis. The BA leaves room for courses in social sciences, history and math, and a teacher education version certifies graduates to teach middle and high school social studies. The BS asks for at least eight course units in accounting, finance, management and marketing. Classes average 25 students and lean on writing and oral presentation. Majors present theses at regional meetings and at the Omicron Delta Epsilon conference at Ursinus College, and can join the College Fed Challenge and stock market games.

Degree Tracks

BA with liberal arts breadth, or BS with at least eight business course units

Capstone

Senior thesis required of every economics major

Teacher Certification

BA teacher education version for middle and high school social studies

Class Size

Average of 25 students

Program Sources: Economics, TCNJ School of Business

Rowan's Glassboro BA takes 36 hours in economics, anchored by the intro courses, intermediate micro and macro, econometrics and a writing-intensive economics seminar. Six upper-level electives follow, and one must carry the multicultural and global designation. The elective bank is wide: environmental, health, urban, sports and labor economics, law and economics, public finance, and a course on blockchain applications. An internship in economics can count as an elective. You need a C- or better in every economics class, along with calculus and statistics, and the Pass/No Credit option is limited to the two introductory courses.

Major Credits

36 hours in economics

Required Capstone Course

Seminar in Economics, writing intensive

Electives

Six upper-level courses, one with the multicultural or global designation

Math Requirement

Calculus and statistics with a C- or better

Program Sources: Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Rowan University Catalog

Montclair offers its Economics BA both fully online and on campus, which matters if you are working or raising a family while you finish. You choose a concentration in General Economics or Asset Management, and students in the Feliciano School of Business can gain portfolio management experience through the Red Hawk Investment Fund. Coursework covers macro and micro, trade, unemployment, inflation and market power, with an emphasis on quantitative modeling. A 4+1 option lets Montclair undergraduates start the MBA before finishing the bachelor's and earn both degrees in five years.

Format

Fully online or on campus

Concentrations

General Economics or Asset Management

Accelerated Option

4+1 MBA for Montclair undergraduates

School

Feliciano School of Business

Program Sources: BA in Economics, Montclair State University

The Newark major totals 43 credits: a 25-credit core that includes calculus, statistics, intermediate micro and macro, introductory econometrics and an applied economics seminar, plus 18 elective credits. Up to three electives can come from the business school, including corporate finance, which suits students leaning toward finance careers. A writing-intensive course taught by economics faculty is required, with seminars in applied economics, current economic conditions and labor to choose from. Seniors with at least a B average can take graduate courses with the chair's permission, and anyone eyeing a PhD is told to take Calculus I instead of Basic Calculus.

Credits

43 total: 25 core and 18 elective

Writing Requirement

Seminar in Applied Economics, Analysis of Current Economic Conditions, or Labor Seminar

Business School Electives

Up to three from the business school

Grade Rule

C or better in all courses

Program Sources: B.A. in Economics, Rutgers SAS-Newark

Drew's 48-credit economics major pairs a core of micro, macro, statistics and econometrics with a course called Economics in the Real World, which teaches reading, writing and researching. The electives lean toward political economy, with a required critical and historical perspectives course such as the history of economic thought or the political economy of race, class and gender. Two Wall Street Program courses cover the U.S. economy and financial markets, an applied course looks at social impact, and the Specialized Honors sequence is there for students who want to write a thesis.

Credits

48, with a 28-credit core

Required Perspective

At least 4 credits in critical or historical perspectives

Finance Link

Wall Street Program courses

Honors

Specialized Honors in Economics I and II

Program Sources: Economics Major, Drew University Catalog

Camden's economics BA is 42 credits, with 18 in required courses (principles, intermediate theory and foundations of econometrics) and 24 in electives. What sets it apart is the four optional concentrations, each requiring three courses: behavioral economics and game theory, data science and quantitative methods, financial economics, and health, healthcare management and health policy. Students are encouraged to do research through independent study or an honors thesis in junior or senior year. Anyone heading toward a PhD is pointed to calculus, linear algebra, differential equations and a proofs course on top of the required math.

Credits

42 in economics, 18 required and 24 elective

Concentrations

Behavioral and game theory, data science, financial economics, health policy

Research

Independent study or honors thesis

Program Sources: Concentrations of Economics, Rutgers-CamdenMajor/Minor Information, Rutgers-Camden

Princeton admits only 20 to 25 economics doctoral students a year from roughly 800 applications, and there is no master's track to fall back on. The first year is six core courses and the second is six field courses, with directed research and a third-year paper after that. The Graduate School adds a year in residence, a general examination, the dissertation and a final public oral. All admitted students get tuition and fellowship support, including summer months, and post-generals students have office space in the Julis Romo Rabinowitz Building. Weekly seminars and student workshops run across fields such as behavioral, international, industrial organization, theory, macro, finance, econometrics and development.

Class Size

20 to 25 students from about 800 applications

Coursework

Six first-year core courses and six second-year field courses

Milestones

Directed research, third-year paper, general examination, final public oral

Funding

Tuition and fellowship support, including summer months

Program Sources: Graduate Program, Princeton Department of EconomicsCurrent Students, Princeton Department of Economics

Rutgers trains doctoral students in a full-time day program on the New Brunswick campus. Required work covers mathematical methods for microeconomics, two semesters each of micro and macro theory, advanced economic statistics, econometrics, and one applied econometrics course in either micro or macro. A course in economic history is also required. After the core, you specialize by completing six credits in each of two advanced fields, with the field list kept in the doctoral handbook. The department also runs a master's program, so students who are unsure about a doctorate can see how the core courses feel first.

Core Courses

Micro and macro theory, advanced statistics, econometrics, applied econometrics, economic history

Specialization

Two fields at six credits each

Format

Full-time day program at the Graduate School in New Brunswick

Program Sources: Graduate Program Introduction, Rutgers Department of EconomicsRequired Courses for Ph.D., Rutgers Department of Economics