Best Economics Programs in Ohio for 2027

Ohio State offers a clear choice between the mathematics demands of its economics BA and BS. The BA uses algebra-based intermediate theory and Elementary Econometrics. The BS substitutes calculus-based theory and a two-course econometrics sequence, with Calculus II among its preparation requirements. Both routes let students continue into specialized economics electives. Applicants comparing the degrees should look at that methods sequence, rather than assuming the BA and BS differ only in general education requirements.

BA And BS Core

BA uses algebra-based intermediate theory and Elementary Econometrics; BS uses calculus-based theory and Econometrics 1 and 2

Electives

Three courses at the 3000 level or above plus two at the 5000 level

Writing Requirement

A major writing or thought course, chosen because many economics jobs call for writing

Experimental Lab

Department computer lab used for paid economic experiments

Program Sources: Economics Major and Minor Requirements | Ohio State EconomicsEconomics | Ohio State Undergraduate Admissions

Miami gives economics students two College of Arts and Science routes. The BA needs 30 hours of economics plus 16 related hours, and its related requirements let you pull from fields like geography, philosophy, psychology or computer science. The Quantitative Economics BS is the heavier option, at 36 hours plus linear algebra, Calculus II and III, probability and applied statistics, and an advanced empirical methods, mathematical economics or game theory course. Both require intermediate micro and macro taken at Miami, so transfer students should plan around that rule.

BA Requirements

30 semester hours of economics plus 16 related hours

BS Requirements

36 semester hours of economics plus 20 to 21 related hours in mathematics and statistics

Residency Rule

ECO 315 and ECO 317 must be taken at Miami

Program Sources: Quantitative Economics- Bachelor of Science | Miami University Bulletin

Case Western houses its economics BA in the Weatherhead School of Management, not the College of Arts and Sciences. Students analyze economies with mathematical models and run the data work in R or Python, and they can assist Weatherhead faculty with research or do independent projects. Faculty build an individual plan of study around each student's goals. The STEM-designated quantitative methods concentration adds three courses, for 15 in total, and leans on mathematics, statistics and data analysis. Students may also take part in the Practicum Program or an accelerated bachelor's-to-master's track.

Quantitative Methods Concentration

STEM-designated, 15 total courses (three more than the regular major)

Software

Statistical analysis in R or Python

Program Sources: Economics, BA < Case Western Reserve University

Cincinnati's economics BA is taught inside the Carl H. Lindner College of Business but is designed as a liberal arts degree, mixing arts and sciences coursework with extensive economics study. A separate BBA in Business Economics exists for students who want more business core, so the BA is the choice if you want room for outside electives or a minor. Applicants should know Lindner requires four units of college preparatory mathematics for admission to every bachelor's program. Students who start at another UC college can move in through a change-of-college form.

Degree Choice

BA in Economics (liberal arts blend) or BBA in Business Economics (business blend)

Admission Prep

Four units of college preparatory mathematics

Program Sources: Economics Major | University of Cincinnati

Kenyon expects a B- or better in both ECON 101 and 102 before you can enter the economics major. The major is at least nine courses: the two principles courses, intermediate micro and macro theory (ECON 201 and 202), ECON 205 in econometrics, three electives, a seminar, and college-level statistics and calculus. Every senior sits a capstone, typically a closed-book exam in spring, and honors candidates answer an extra essay and face an oral exam by an outside examiner. Honors requires a 3.5 departmental GPA and a 3.33 cumulative GPA.

Entry Requirement

B- or better in ECON 101 and ECON 102

Senior Capstone

Closed-book exam; honors adds an essay and an oral exam by an outside examiner

Program Sources: Economics | Kenyon College

Denison's economics major adds a financial economics concentration that looks at the finance, insurance and real estate sectors of the U.S. economy. Students use Bloomberg terminals, an uncommon resource at a liberal arts college, and can earn Bloomberg certifications. The curriculum moves from markets and unemployment into intermediate theory and econometrics, then into 400-level electives, and every major completes a writing-designated elective. Summer Scholars gives funded research time with faculty, and majors have interned at Deloitte, JPMorgan Chase and Morningstar.

Concentration

Financial economics (finance, insurance and real estate sectors)

Hands-On Tools

Bloomberg terminals and certifications; Summer Scholars research stipend

Program Sources: Economics (B.A.) | Denison University

Oberlin offers economics as a BA or a BS, and every major completes an original research paper in a senior seminar. Both the economics and financial economics majors qualify international students on F-1 visas for 12 months of OPT plus the 24-month STEM extension. Students planning graduate work are urged to take as many mathematics courses as possible, and the Social Science Data Lab provides the software and data for research on exchange rates, poverty and labor statistics. High performers can enter a yearlong honors program with an oral evaluation by an outside economist.

Degrees

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science

Honors Program

Yearlong original research, comprehensive exam and oral evaluation by an outside economist

Program Sources: Economics | Oberlin College and Conservatory

Ohio’s economics MA follows a fall-to-summer sequence that culminates in faculty-supervised research. Students take mathematical economics, theory, and econometrics before advancing to applied econometrics and a field elective such as environmental, health, or behavioral economics. The final requirement can be a research paper or a thesis. For the paper, students submit their data and programming code along with the written work, making the empirical analysis part of the finished product.

Final Project

Master's thesis (ECON 6950) defended before faculty and students, or research paper (ECON 6960)

Proposal

Two-page proposal with research question, estimation method and data sources due by the end of spring

Replication Materials

Paper submissions include the final paper in Word or LaTeX and PDF plus all relevant data and code

Credit Structure

36 credit hours: 32 in core courses and 4 in an elective such as international, development, environmental, health, labor or behavioral economics

Program Sources: M.A. in Economics Courses and Resources | Ohio UniversityM.A. in Economics | Ohio University

Ohio State admits only about 15 to 20 PhD students a year from roughly 300 applicants, so cohorts are small, with about 80 students in the program overall. Almost all are funded through research and teaching assistantships with a full tuition waiver. The department offers no terminal master's, though students can earn one on the way by finishing first-year courses and passing the micro and macro qualifier exams. Focal areas include macroeconomics, applied microeconomics and econometrics, plus experimental and behavioral work. International graduates can apply for up to three years of work permission.

Cohort Size

About 15 to 20 entering students, roughly 80 in the program

Master's Option

No stand-alone MA; earned along the way after first-year courses and qualifiers

Program Sources: Economics, Doctor of Philosophy | Graduate and Professional Admissions | The Ohio State University

At Cincinnati the economics doctorate is a PhD in Business Administration with a concentration in economics, run by the Lindner College of Business. It is built as an apprenticeship: coursework in economics, statistics and mathematics, specialized seminars, and a research agenda that begins early with faculty. Classes are small, which means close contact with economics faculty and with students and faculty in the other business doctoral programs. New cohorts are admitted every other year, so check which application cycle is open before planning around it.

Degree Structure

PhD in Business Administration with an Economics concentration

Admission Cycle

New cohorts admitted every other year

Program Sources: PhD in Economics | University of Cincinnati