Williams vs. Barnard for economics: which is better for an undergraduate economics major?

Williams has the edge for undergraduate economics. Its economics department is one of the school’s signature strengths, the college is intensely focused on undergraduates, and economics students tend to get close faculty access in small classes. For a student whose main question is where economics is strongest at the undergraduate level, Williams is more often the standout.

One big differentiator is the academic structure. Williams is a liberal arts college with no graduate students competing for faculty attention, which matters in a field like economics where relationships with professors, research support, and seminar discussion can shape your experience. The department is well known on campus, and economics is one of the most established and popular majors there.

Another factor is classroom experience. At Williams, undergraduates typically get a more intimate academic setting across the board, and that tends to translate especially well in economics, where office hours, thesis advising, and small upper-level courses can be valuable. Barnard students do benefit from access to Columbia’s broader ecosystem, but that also means the experience can feel less centered on the undergraduate economics major specifically.

The strongest point in Barnard’s favor is location and access. Being in New York City and tied into Columbia can create excellent exposure to internships, public policy organizations, finance, and research opportunities during the academic year. That is a real advantage, especially for students who want city-based professional experience early.

But if the question is which school is more highly regarded specifically for undergraduate economics, Williams is the clearer answer. Barnard offers a very appealing setup because of Columbia and NYC, but Williams is more often seen as the place where economics itself is a particularly strong undergraduate destination.