Is UMass Amherst or University of Maryland better for economics?

University of Maryland has the edge for economics. Its economics department is typically viewed as the more prominent of the two, and Maryland benefits from being near Washington, D.C., which creates unusually strong access to internships, policy work, and research tied to federal agencies, think tanks, and international organizations. That location matters a lot for econ students because it connects classroom study to labor economics, public policy, finance, and data-driven research in a very direct way.

Maryland also tends to have broader name recognition for economics in policy and government-adjacent circles. If you are interested in paths like the Federal Reserve, the World Bank, consulting, public policy analysis, or quantitative research, Maryland’s ecosystem is a real advantage. Even for students not set on policy, that network can still help with internships during the school year in a way few campuses can match.

UMass Amherst is still a strong option, especially if you are drawn to a more heterodox or distinctive economics tradition. Its department has long been known for strengths in political economy, labor, and alternative approaches within economics, so some students specifically prefer it for that reason.

The practical difference is that Maryland usually offers the more versatile platform for economics as a mainstream major, while UMass stands out more for students who already know they want its particular intellectual style. If your question is simply which economics program is more widely regarded, Maryland is the safer answer.