Best Economics Programs in Texas for 2027

UT Austin’s economics curriculum moves from calculus and introductory economics into microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, economic statistics, and econometrics. Electives extend into banking, global development, and public policy. Transfer students should examine the residency rules early: the department requires its central theory, statistics, and econometrics courses to be completed at UT, along with at least 18 economics credits overall. The BA and BS both require calculus, so neither route avoids quantitative preparation.

Residency Rules

Microeconomic Theory, Macroeconomic Theory, Economic Statistics and Econometrics must be taken at UT Austin, with 18 economics hours in residence

Core Sequence

Calculus, ECO 420K, ECO 320L, ECO 329, ECO 441K and upper-division electives

Degree Choice

Both a BA and a BS are offered, and current majors can switch between them

Program Sources: Degree Requirements | UT Austin EconomicsProspective Students | UT Austin Economics

Rice requires fourteen courses for the economics BA, with a math and statistics base of two calculus courses plus probability and statistics, five core economics and econometrics courses including Applied Econometrics and a game theory course, and six electives of which at least two sit at the 400 level. Rice also offers Mathematical Economic Analysis and Managerial Economics and Organizational Sciences as separate majors, and you may declare only one, so the choice is worth making early. A two-semester honors program requires a 3.67 departmental GPA by the start of senior year. Advanced students can take electives from health and energy to law and economics.

Related Majors

Mathematical Economic Analysis; Managerial Economics and Organizational Sciences

Honors Program

Two-semester ECON 498/499 sequence requiring a 3.67 GPA

Major Size

Fourteen courses with at least two electives at the 400 level

Program Sources: Economics Major | Department of Economics | Rice UniversityDegrees Offered | Department of Economics | Rice University

Texas A&M gives you two ways into economics. The BS emphasizes quantitative work: Economic Data Analysis and Applied Econometrics, a macroeconomic theory course, survey courses in accounting and finance, and a choice between Economic Forecasting and a data science course for economic and social impact. The BA instead requires four semesters of a college-level foreign language and takes Introduction to Econometrics. Both rest on microeconomic theory and the university core, and both encourage research, internships and study abroad. Five-year programs combine either degree with an MS in Economics, and the Bush School offers its own five-year degrees for economics majors.

BS Quantitative Path

Economic Data Analysis, Applied Econometrics and Economic Forecasting

BA Language Requirement

Four semesters of a college-level foreign language

Five-Year Options

BA or BS plus MS Economics; Bush School five-year degrees

Program Sources: Undergraduate Degrees in Economics | Texas A&M University College of Arts and SciencesEconomics - BA | Texas A&M University Catalog

UT Austin’s economics MA starts with summer mathematics and probability courses before the main theory and econometrics sequence. Electives include game theory, labor economics, causal inference, and machine learning. Teaching uses Stata, Python, and R, although prior programming experience is not required. The degree does not offer a thesis; research papers and projects instead appear within individual electives. A 10-month track is available alongside longer schedules for students who want more time.

Tracks

10-month, 18-month or 24-month schedule, each starting in mid-July

Credit Structure

Ten 3-credit courses for 30 graded credit hours, with no thesis

Summer Start

Math for Economists and Probability and Statistics before the fall core

Data Science Practicum

Optional capstone elective on the 18-month and 24-month tracks

Program Sources: Curriculum | Master of Arts in Economics | UT AustinCurriculum | Master of Arts in Economics | UT Austin

Texas A&M’s economics MS offers thesis and non-thesis routes, with concentrations in financial econometrics or financial economics. Electives include behavioral financial economics, energy markets and policy, and economic analysis of financial data. Students can also choose approved supporting courses in subjects such as statistics, finance, mathematics, or public policy. The curriculum allows a professional internship course, while the thesis route gives students a different way to develop a sustained research project.

Degree Routes

Non-thesis at 36 credit hours with a capstone applied research project, or thesis at 32 credit hours with an oral final exam

Concentrations

Financial Econometrics or Financial Economics

Combined Degree

MS Economics with Master of International Affairs in three years

Internship

Students are encouraged to intern the summer after the first year

Program Sources: About the M.S. Programs | Texas A&M EconomicsMS in Economics Curriculum | Texas A&M Economics

Houston’s applied economics MA is organized as a full-time, 12-month cohort beginning each fall. Coursework fills the fall and spring, followed by a six-credit summer component; students with a relevant internship or job can apply to use internship credit for that final portion. Classes meet during the day on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in the regular semesters. Applicants need prior economics and econometrics coursework, so this is a structured continuation of quantitative undergraduate preparation.

Schedule

30 credit hours: 12 each in fall and spring, then a 6-credit summer course or internship credit

Class Meetings

Daytime classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

Entry Courses

Introduction to Econometrics (ECON 3370) and Calculus I, with a 3.0 GPA over the most recent 60 hours

Degree Purpose

Terminal master's focused on job-market skills, not preparation for a PhD

Program Sources: M.A. Program Description | Department of Economics | University of HoustonM.A. Program Description | Department of Economics | University of Houston

Texas calls its economics PhD the top-ranked doctoral program in economics in the state, with national rankings that place the department between the top 15 and top 20. Students take core courses and field courses built around current research techniques, sit comprehensive examinations in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, and attend one of seven weekly research seminars, with access to unique data sets. A graduate math prep class in August is open to every admitted student. The dissertation phase relies on steady faculty mentoring aimed at the job market, and placements have included Columbia, Princeton, government research posts, Analysis Group and Amazon.

Comprehensive Exams

Micro, macro and econometrics exams with past papers on file

Math Preparation

August graduate math prep class open to all admitted students

Research Environment

Seven weekly research seminars and unique data sets

Program Sources: Ph.D. Program | Economics | Liberal Arts | UT - Austin

Rice's economics doctorate leans toward structural empirical microeconomics, which combines economic theory with econometrics to answer substantive questions. The first two years give rigorous training in theory and econometrics, and the first year adds coursework in financial economics and in computational economics, covering the numerical methods behind modern empirical work. A Major Concentration in Finance is offered with the Jones School of Business, and students can pursue a PhD in Economics with an MA in Statistics. Seminars and workshops expose students to specialized literatures early, and the curriculum insists that any model be grounded in clearly stated theoretical assumptions.

Research Strength

Structural empirical microeconomics and econometrics

First-Year Emphasis

Financial economics and computational economics

Joint Options

Finance concentration with Jones School; PhD with MA in Statistics

Program Sources: Doctorate in Economics | Department of Economics | Rice University

Austin Community College's economics associate degree is built around a Texas-approved field of study of 12 to 13 lower-division credit hours that transfer fully to other Texas public colleges and universities. The 60 to 62 hour plan puts Principles of Microeconomics and Macroeconomics beside business statistics or elementary statistics, a business or full calculus sequence, and a world language. Students aiming at the University of Texas economics program are told to take Calculus I and II (MATH 2413 and 2414) instead of business calculus. An honors option is available, and the program prepares students to transfer into upper-division coursework at four-year schools.

Transfer Preparation

Field of study curriculum fully transferable within Texas public institutions

Calculus Advice

Calculus I and II recommended for University of Texas transfer plans

Program Length

60 to 62 semester credit hours

Program Sources: Associate of Arts Degree in Economics | Austin Community College District Catalog

Blinn's Associate of Science in Economics prepares students to transfer into a four-year economics or business degree while covering microeconomics, macroeconomics, international economics and econometrics, plus financial and managerial accounting and business communication. It can be completed online or on the Brenham, Bryan, RELLIS, Schulenburg and Sealy campuses. BestColleges.com ranked it fourth in the nation and first in Texas among online economics associate degrees. Graduates transfer to Texas A&M, Sam Houston State, the University of Houston, UT San Antonio, Texas A&M Corpus Christi and Tarleton State, and many go on to advanced degrees in economics, law, business and public policy.

Delivery

Online or at Brenham, Bryan, RELLIS, Schulenburg and Sealy campuses

Business Skills

Financial and managerial accounting and business communication

Transfer Destinations

Texas A&M, Sam Houston State, University of Houston and UT San Antonio

Program Sources: Economics | Blinn College