Princeton vs Williams for economics: which is better for an undergraduate econ major?

Princeton has the edge for undergraduate economics. Its economics department is larger, more research-intensive, and more tightly connected to policy, finance, and PhD-level academic economics than Williams, which gives Princeton a broader set of upper-level options and stronger infrastructure around the major.

One concrete difference is course depth. Princeton offers a wider range of specialized electives in areas like econometrics, public finance, macroeconomic theory, development, industrial organization, and political economy, plus easier access to related work in mathematics and computer science. For a student who wants serious technical training or expects to explore several subfields before narrowing down, that breadth matters.

Another differentiator is faculty ecosystem. Williams is excellent for close interaction with professors, and in pure classroom access it may even feel more personal. But Princeton combines strong undergraduate access with a much larger research faculty and a department that sits at the center of high-level economic scholarship. That tends to translate into more opportunities to work with faculty whose research is shaping the field, especially for students considering research assistant roles, senior thesis work, or eventual PhD study.

The main thing Williams does better is the small-college learning environment: discussion-heavy classes, very close advising, and a campus culture where undergraduates are the clear center of attention. But on economics specifically, Princeton offers more range, more academic firepower, and more direct exposure to the kinds of opportunities many econ majors are targeting.