WashU vs Dartmouth for economics: which is the better choice for an undergraduate economics major?

The biggest practical tradeoff is this: Dartmouth gives you the tighter alumni network, more built-in recruiting access, and stronger brand pull in finance and consulting, while WashU offers a very strong economics education in a slightly less intense, often more flexible environment. For undergraduate economics specifically, both schools are well respected, but Dartmouth tends to have the edge when students are thinking about Wall Street, top consulting, or leveraging alumni connections early. WashU is still excellent, especially for students who may want economics plus strong quantitative work, research access, or a campus culture that feels a bit less pre-professionally driven.

Academically, Dartmouth’s economics department is one of the school’s most established strengths, and the college’s smaller size can make it easier to build real relationships with faculty. That matters for research opportunities, recommendation letters, and grad school preparation. The quarter-based D-Plan also creates unusual flexibility for internships, though it can take more planning than a traditional semester schedule.

WashU’s economics program is also rigorous and well regarded, with good access to related areas like math, political economy, business-adjacent coursework, and data analysis. One advantage at WashU is that students often find it easier to explore across schools and combine economics with other interests. For someone considering policy, analytics, or a broader academic mix, that can be a real plus.

If the question is which school is the stronger bet for an undergraduate economics major in the broadest sense, I’d give Dartmouth the nod. WashU is a very good option and could be the more comfortable personal fit, but Dartmouth usually offers more upside for economics students who want maximum access to top employers, close faculty ties, and a particularly powerful alumni network.