McGill vs Brown for economics: which is better for an undergraduate economics major?

The biggest practical tradeoff is structure and scale versus flexibility and access. McGill gives you a large, well-established economics department with a more traditional, less hand-held academic environment and usually lower cost, while Brown offers a much smaller, more personalized undergraduate experience with the freedom of the Open Curriculum and very strong access to faculty, research, and advising.

For undergraduate economics specifically, Brown usually has the edge if your priority is the overall learning experience. Brown’s economics program is highly respected, undergrads tend to get more direct interaction with professors, and the university’s flexible curriculum makes it easier to combine economics with math, public policy, computer science, or other interests that matter for graduate school and many careers. That flexibility is especially useful because economics often gets stronger when paired with quantitative coursework.

McGill is still a very solid place to study economics. It has a strong international reputation, a serious academic atmosphere, and the advantage of being in Montreal, which can be a great city for policy, business, and global perspectives. But the experience is more independent. Intro and core classes can feel larger, advising may be less individualized, and students often need to be proactive about finding mentorship and opportunities.

In terms of preparation for the future, both can get you to grad school, finance, consulting, policy, or other economics-related paths. McGill can absolutely lead to the same outcomes, but students often have to navigate the system more on their own.

If cost is remotely close, I’d lean Brown for undergraduate economics because the teaching environment and flexibility are more likely to improve your day-to-day education. I’d choose McGill over Brown only if the price difference is substantial or if you specifically want a larger, more independent university experience in Montreal.