NYU vs Notre Dame for economics: which is better for an undergrad econ major?

The biggest practical tradeoff is urban, finance-adjacent access at NYU versus a more traditional, close-knit undergraduate experience at Notre Dame. For economics specifically, NYU gives you direct proximity to New York employers, research centers, internships during the school year, and a department with very strong visibility in economic theory, policy, and quantitative work. Notre Dame offers a more contained campus environment, strong faculty access, and excellent undergraduate support, but it is not plugged into a major economic hub in the same day-to-day way.

Academically, NYU has the stronger overall reputation in economics. Its department is widely respected, and being in the same ecosystem as Stern, policy institutes, and New York-based firms can matter a lot if you want exposure to markets, data-driven internships, or early professional networking. For a student aiming at research-heavy grad school paths, quantitative economics, or finance-related work, NYU usually has more built-in advantages.

Notre Dame is still a very solid place to study economics, especially if you want more structure and a classic residential college feel. Undergraduates often benefit from smaller-feeling communities, easier faculty relationships, and a campus culture that can make it simpler to get involved deeply in research, service, and leadership. If you value mentorship, community, and a less fragmented student experience, Notre Dame can be very appealing.

For career preparation, NYU has a real edge because internships during the semester are far more accessible, especially in finance, consulting, and policy-adjacent roles. Notre Dame places well too, helped by a loyal alumni network, but the path is more likely to run through summer opportunities rather than constant in-semester access. For economics grad school, either can work, but NYU gives you a slightly stronger platform if you build serious math preparation and research experience.

Between the two, NYU is the better pick for most students who are specifically focused on economics as an academic and career field. I would lean Notre Dame only if you know you want a more cohesive campus life, tighter undergraduate community, and a less self-directed environment than NYU tends to demand.