Is UMass Amherst or Boston University better for economics?

For economics, Boston University is usually seen as the stronger choice if you are focused on program reputation, access to internships during the school year, and connections to finance, consulting, policy, and research opportunities in a major city. BU’s economics department is well regarded, offers a wide range of upper-level courses, and benefits from being in Boston, where students can more easily combine classes with internships or part-time professional experience.

UMass Amherst is still a very solid option, especially for a student who wants strong academics at a much better price point, a more traditional campus environment, and good faculty access in a large public university setting. Its economics department has real strengths, and UMass also has the advantage of the broader Five College area, which can add academic flexibility and a lively college community.

The student who may prefer BU is someone who wants an urban college experience and expects location to matter a lot. For economics, that can be meaningful because employers in business, data, policy, and nonprofit work are close by, and networking can happen more naturally during the semester. BU also tends to appeal to students who want a more pre-professional atmosphere and are comfortable being proactive in a fast-moving environment.

UMass Amherst makes more sense for the student who cares a lot about value and wants a classic residential campus with school spirit, bigger campus life, and lower cost, especially if in-state. If graduate school in economics is a possibility, keeping debt lower can matter a lot. UMass can absolutely get students to strong outcomes, but it may require a bit more initiative to build the same level of off-campus access that BU students get more directly through location.

BU has the edge.