What is the economics major like at Barnard College?

Barnard’s economics major is generally seen as rigorous but not cutthroat, and one of its biggest strengths is that you get both the Barnard environment and access to Columbia’s economics resources. That means a smaller women’s college setting for advising and community, while still being able to take courses across the broader university.

Academically, the major is quantitative enough that you should expect real work in calculus, statistics, and intermediate theory, especially once you move beyond the intro sequence. It is not usually described as overwhelming in the way some very large economics departments can feel, but it is serious and structured. If you like analytical thinking and are comfortable with math, it should feel challenging in a good way.

What stands out at Barnard specifically is the balance between close faculty access and New York City opportunities. Students often value being able to build relationships with professors more easily than they might in a huge department, while also using internships, research, and policy-related experiences in the city to complement classroom learning.