Fordham vs Boston College for economics: which is better for undergrads?

For undergraduate economics, Boston College usually has the edge if you want a more established traditional econ department, a strong academic reputation in the field, and a campus culture where economics is a very popular, well-supported major. Fordham becomes especially appealing if you want to be in New York during the school year, with easier access to internships in finance, consulting, media, nonprofits, and policy-related organizations. Both can lead to grad school or strong jobs, but the day-to-day experience is meaningfully different.

Boston College tends to suit the student who wants a classic residential campus, a cohesive undergraduate community, and an economics program that is highly visible within the university. Econ is one of BC’s signature majors, so there is a large student community around it, plenty of course demand, and a strong pipeline into business-adjacent paths even though BC does not have a separate undergraduate business school.

Fordham fits the student who wants economics tied closely to New York City opportunities. At Lincoln Center especially, and to a degree from Rose Hill with the commute, you are much closer to semester-time internships and professional networking. That matters if you want to test out economics in real settings like market research, banking, public policy, urban economics, or nonprofit analysis rather than waiting mostly for summer. Fordham’s economics offering is solid, but the standout advantage is really location and access.

In the classroom, BC often feels more like a traditional academic department experience, with economics having a strong identity on campus. Fordham can feel a bit more split by campus and by how much you personally take advantage of the city. If you are the kind of student who will actively pursue internships during the semester, set up informational interviews, and use NYC as an extension of the classroom, Fordham can be unusually practical.

For graduate school, either school can work. For internships during college, Fordham has a real logistical advantage. If economics itself is the priority, I would lean Boston College.