<p>There can be fairly significant differences in economics program rigor from school to school.
At some colleges, econ is a “gut” major. At others, it amounts to an applied math major and is very challenging.</p>
<p>John Siegfried and Wendy Stock co-authored a 2006 paper on the undergraduate origins of economics PhDs. For the period 1997-2003, Michigan State was among the 27 top American sources of eventual economics Ph.D.s It ranked near the bottom of that group … but had as many as Northwestern and Duke (albeit from a much larger undergraduate population). Case Western was not among the top producers.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t necessarily use this statistic as a sole (or even major) basis for choosing a college. However, I’d consider it one indicator that Michigan State probably has a rigorous enough economics program to meet most students’ needs (assuming you seek out the more challenging courses). Check the online course catalogs, program requirements and faculty bios if you still have concerns.</p>