Is the University of Delaware or the University of Richmond better for an economics major?

For a student who is very serious about economics in a more academically intense, discussion-heavy setting, the University of Richmond usually stands out more. Richmond’s economics department is well integrated into a small liberal arts environment, classes tend to be smaller, and undergraduates often have closer access to faculty, research, and advising.

Richmond is especially appealing for someone who wants economics taught with a lot of writing, theory, and analytical discussion rather than mostly large lecture experiences early on. The Robins School of Business also creates useful crossover options in areas like accounting, finance, and management, which can be valuable if your interests sit between pure economics and business.

Delaware makes more sense for a student who wants a broader public university experience and more room to explore economics alongside many other departments and preprofessional paths. As a larger university, it typically offers more overall scale, more flexibility in course selection across related fields, and access to a wider campus ecosystem. If you want economics but also like the idea of pairing it with data, public policy, business-adjacent work, or other large-university resources, Delaware can be a very practical choice.

Academically, Delaware can still prepare you well for jobs or grad school, but you may need to be more intentional about finding faculty mentorship, research opportunities, and smaller academic communities within the larger institution. Richmond tends to make those connections easier by default. Delaware is often the better fit for an independent student who is comfortable navigating a bigger system and taking initiative.

If by “stronger overall program” you mean depth of personal mentorship, rigor in a small classroom environment, and a more visibly academic econ culture, Richmond has the edge. If you mean value, breadth, and the advantages of a larger university where economics can connect to many other opportunities, Delaware is a very reasonable alternative.