Amherst vs Swarthmore for economics: which is better for undergrad econ students?

For undergraduate economics, Amherst probably has the edge if you want a larger, very well-known econ department with more course variety and easy access to Five College resources, while Swarthmore is especially appealing if you want an intensely discussion-heavy, highly rigorous classroom culture. Both schools place econ students well into consulting, finance, policy, and PhD pathways, and both are excellent choices.

Amherst’s economics department is one of its biggest and most established majors, and the school’s open curriculum can make it easier to explore math, statistics, political science, or computer science alongside econ. You also get cross-registration through the Five College Consortium, which can expand options in related fields.

Swarthmore has a reputation for being extremely rigorous across the board, and that definitely shows up in economics. If you like close reading, sharp class discussion, and being pushed by very engaged peers, Swarthmore can be a great fit. Its Honors Program is especially distinctive, with small seminars and external-style evaluations, and that can be very appealing for students who want a more intense intellectual experience.

For pure undergrad teaching, both are strong because neither has graduate students competing for attention the way a research university might. Amherst may offer a slightly broader feel in econ and related quantitative options, while Swarthmore may feel more seminar-driven and academically intense day to day. If your priority is the strongest overall econ department with flexibility, Amherst is a slight favorite. If your priority is rigorous discussion and a more intense intellectual culture, Swarthmore may be the better fit.