Lehigh or UVA for economics: which is the better choice for an undergraduate econ major?

For undergraduate economics, UVA usually has the edge if you want a larger, more established econ department with wider course selection, stronger name recognition, and a bigger alumni network. Its economics program sits within the College of Arts & Sciences, and students can also tap into resources from the McIntire ecosystem, public policy, data science, and a very broad set of research centers.

UVA fits the student who wants scale and options. You are more likely to find specialized upper-level electives, a larger peer group in economics, and more built-in access to faculty doing varied research across macro, micro, econometrics, political economy, and development. For someone who may want to pair econ with math, stats, public policy, or business-adjacent coursework, UVA makes that easier.

Lehigh makes more sense for a student who values a smaller university feel and potentially closer day-to-day faculty access. Its economics department is solid, and the school’s business and industry connections can be especially useful for students leaning toward corporate roles, finance, or applied analytics. In a smaller setting, it can be easier to stand out, build mentoring relationships, and get involved in campus leadership without competing in such a large pool.

For jobs, both can place well. Lehigh can still be an excellent choice for a student who wants a more personal environment and expects to be very proactive about internships and faculty mentorship.

If your priority is the strongest overall econ ecosystem and the broadest future flexibility, I’d lean UVA. If you know you thrive in a smaller, more intimate academic setting and want closer access to professors from the start, Lehigh has a real advantage in that specific kind of experience.