Best Economics Programs in Oregon for 2027

Oregon's economics major is built around a two-course econometrics sequence, EC 320 and EC 421, taken by the end of junior year after calculus and statistics. The department steers students headed for graduate school to the proof-based MATH 251Z and 252Z calculus sequence instead of the standard 241 and 242. Beyond intermediate micro and macro, students complete 28 credits of electives, 20 of them at the 400 level or above, and at least 28 of the 44 upper-division credits must be earned in Eugene. The full requirement is 64 credits, 12 in math and 52 in economics, with C- or better in every major course.

Econometrics Sequence

EC 320 and EC 421, Introduction to Econometrics I and II

Graduate School Math

MATH 251Z and 252Z recommended in place of MATH 241 and 242

Major Electives

28 credits, with 20 at the 400 level or above

Residency

At least 28 of 44 upper-division credits taken at Oregon

Program Sources: Major Requirements | Economics | University of Oregon

Oregon State delivers its economics bachelor's fully online through Ecampus, in partnership with the College of Liberal Arts, so out-of-state students pay the same tuition rate as residents. The degree is 180 quarter credits that combine the Liberal Arts core with micro and macro theory, quantitative analysis, research methods and communication, and advisors help students choose an area of focus. Two extras stand out. Online students can apply to earn an honors degree with a thesis, and current undergraduates can start the Master of Public Policy through the Accelerated Master's Platform. Transfer students need at least 45 of their last 75 credits from Oregon State.

Format

Fully online through Oregon State Ecampus, with no added charge for nonresidents

Accelerated Option

Graduate courses taken as an undergraduate can apply toward the Master of Public Policy

Residency

At least 45 of the last 75 credits completed at Oregon State

Program Sources: Economics Bachelor's Degree Online | Oregon State Ecampus

Reed's quantitative concentration is the heavier of its two economics routes. Majors take eight units of economics, including intermediate macro, microeconomic theory and the full Theory and Practice of Econometrics course, then add four units of math and statistics: Introduction to Analysis, Linear Algebra, Vector Calculus, and Probability and Statistics. Everything builds toward a two-unit senior thesis, and a junior qualifying examination, taken the semester before the thesis begins, stands between the two. Reed's catalog points students planning graduate work in economics toward this track, since the regular major has no formal math requirement beyond what its theory courses assume.

Math Requirement

Four units: Introduction to Analysis, Linear Algebra, Vector Calculus and Introduction to Probability and Statistics

Econometrics

ECON 312, Theory and Practice of Econometrics

Thesis and Exam

Junior qualifying examination, then a two-unit thesis (ECON 470)

Program Sources: Program: Economics with a Concentration in Quantitative Economics | Reed College Catalog

Portland State takes economics in three directions: a BA or BS in Economics, a BS in Business Economics, and a separate STEM-designated BS in Quantitative Economics for students headed to data analytics or graduate school. The BA map is built around two terms of principles, two of intermediate theory (EC 311 and 312), calculus (MTH 251) and two statistics courses (STAT 243Z and 244), plus a second-language sequence that the BA requires. Seniors complete a capstone or honors thesis. Students work in applied research with the department, including audit studies, and have interned at Energy Trust of Oregon and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

Math and Statistics

MTH 251 calculus, STAT 243Z and STAT 244

BA Language Requirement

Second-language sequence through the 200 level on the BA degree map

Quantitative Option

Separate BS in Quantitative Economics, a STEM-designated major

Program Sources: Economics Bachelor's Degree Programs | Portland State University

Lewis & Clark asks for 44 semester credits and puts a statistics course, ECON 103, in the first-year sequence next to an introductory economics course and calculus (MATH 131). Intermediate theory follows in a set order, individual choice in fall and aggregate choice in spring, then econometrics. Electives total at least 16 credits, with 8 at the 300 or 400 level, and every major completes a 400-level seminar. Students can pick a concentration in international, public policy or theory economics, or stay general. The department also lists internships at ECONorthwest, the Oregon Center for Public Policy and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation.

Credit Total

44 semester credits

Concentrations

International, public policy, theory, or general economics

Seminar and Electives

16 credits of electives and one required 400-level seminar

Program Sources: Majoring and Minoring | Economics | Lewis & Clark College

Willamette begins its 36-hour economics major with a course titled Production, Distribution, and Power in Contemporary Economics, and adds History of Economic Inquiry. Economic Statistics, microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory and a writing-designated Capstone in Economic Inquiry complete the 24-hour core. Three electives fill the remaining twelve hours, and the approved outside-economics list includes The Rise of Capitalism, Globalization, Capitalism and Democracy, Philosophical Ethics and Public Policy Studies. At least one elective must sit at the 400 level, and statistics plus both theory courses must be finished before the capstone.

Core Courses

Production, Distribution, and Power; History of Economic Inquiry; Economic Statistics; Micro and Macro Theory; Capstone

Outside Electives

History of capitalism, globalization, capitalism and democracy, philosophical ethics and public policy

Capstone Gate

Statistics and both theory courses complete before ECON 493W

Program Sources: Economics Program Requirements | Willamette College

The University of Portland's economics major runs 41 credit hours and lets students pick one of three themed concentrations or none. Environmental Economics and Policy draws on climate and clean-energy courses, International Economics covers development and comparative economics, and Public Policy and Social Justice takes in income inequality and market power. The core includes principles, intermediate micro and macro, Econometrics and a course on measuring sustainability. Applied Economic Research (ECN 425) closes the degree, and ECN 325 and 425 serve as the Writing in the Discipline courses. Calculus for Business and Social Science is required, and a C- or better is needed in math.

Concentrations

Environmental Economics and Policy, International Economics, Public Policy and Social Justice, or none

Capstone Research

ECN 425 Applied Economic Research

Credit Total

41 credit hours of major requirements

Program Sources: Economics, B.A. | University of Portland Bulletin

Linfield lets students earn its 36-credit economics major as either a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science. Principles, intermediate micro and macro, econometrics and a four-credit senior seminar form the required 20 credits. The 16 credits of electives lean practical: sports economics, college sports, environmental and natural resource economics, health, labor, development, behavioral economics and economic history. Up to eight of those credits can come from peer instruction, independent study, an internship or research. A math floor sits underneath it all, since intermediate micro and macro require Finite Mathematics with Calculus or Calculus I passed with better than a C-.

Degree Options

Bachelor of arts or bachelor of science

Required Core

Principles, intermediate micro and macro, econometrics and a senior seminar (20 credits)

Applied Electives

Sports, environmental, health, labor, development and behavioral economics

Experience Credit

Up to eight credits from internship, independent study, research or peer instruction

Program Sources: Economics Major | Linfield University Catalog

The University of Oregon's economics PhD front-loads three terms each of micro theory, macro theory and econometrics. Students who finish those nine courses with a 2.9 GPA are invited to sit qualifying exams in micro and macro that summer. Field work then follows: nine 600-level electives, a field research paper in the third year and a dissertation, usually in the fourth or fifth year. Concentrations include applied econometrics, environmental, experimental and behavioral economics, game theory, industrial organization, labor and public economics. The program is classified as STEM under CIP 45.0603, which matters for international students weighing work authorization after graduation.

First-Year Core

Nine courses: three terms each of micro theory, macro theory and econometrics, followed by summer qualifying exams

Field Requirement

Nine 600-level electives with a 3.0 GPA plus a third-year field research paper

STEM Designation

Classified under CIP 45.0603, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics

Program Sources: PhD Program | Economics | University of Oregon

Oregon State's Applied Economics PhD asks students to complete two concentrations, each with at least three courses and two of them at the 600 level. Natural Resource and Environmental Economics and Development Economics are the defined choices, with a third open area designed with an advisory committee. The first year ends with a written preliminary exam on micro theory and its econometric applications. Year two brings an empirical research paper, and a comprehensive oral exam follows by fall of year three. The degree totals at least 108 credits, 36 of them dissertation credits, and normally takes four years, with a B or better required in program courses.

Concentrations

Two required: natural resource and environmental, development, or an open area

Milestones

First-year written exam, second-year empirical paper, oral qualifying exam by fall of year three

Credits

At least 108 credits, including 36 of dissertation

Program Sources: Applied Economics PhD | Oregon State University