Amherst vs Colgate for economics: which is better for an undergraduate econ major?

The biggest practical tradeoff is Amherst’s broader academic ecosystem and cross-registration options versus Colgate’s more traditional campus feel and somewhat more self-contained undergraduate experience. For economics specifically, Amherst usually gives undergrads more depth in course choice, closer proximity to a larger intellectual network through the Five College Consortium, and stronger visibility in economics-related research and policy pathways. Colgate still offers a solid econ major, but Amherst tends to provide the richer platform if economics is your clear academic priority.

Amherst’s economics department is especially strong for a liberal arts college because it combines small classes with access to a wider range of upper-level work than many peer schools can support on their own. The Five College Consortium matters here: depending on your interests, it can expand access to related coursework in math, statistics, public policy, and specialized social science areas. That kind of flexibility is useful for econ majors who may want to lean more quantitative, policy-oriented, or interdisciplinary.

Amherst also has a long-established reputation for sending students into top research, finance, consulting, and policy opportunities, and the open curriculum can be a real advantage if you want to build an economics program around your own interests rather than around a tighter core structure. In practice, that often means it is easier to pair economics with math, computer science, political science, or data-focused work without feeling boxed in.

Colgate’s economics major is still respected and can be a very good experience, especially if you want a close-knit residential campus and a department where undergraduates are the clear center of attention.

If the question is strictly which school gives an undergraduate economics major the stronger overall academic setup, I would pick Amherst.