<p>I really want to major in economics, but I've read that an econ degree isn't really useful unless it comes from a good school. I live in Memphis, and I don't want to get too far away from home, so what are the best econ programs within 6-8 hours of me? My junior year ACT score was 29 (without almost any prep), so it should be at least a little higher next time. As such, I think I'll at least be able to get admitted into almost any college in the south. Thanks!</p>
<p>Do you want to be in Econ in a B-school or Econ in Arts&Sciences?</p>
<p>What is your budget for college? How much will your family pay? If you don’t know, ask them. That will likely determine where you should apply.</p>
<p>B-School</p>
<p>The budget will be worked out soon. For now, I just want to know what the best is. (Although, cheaper is always better.)</p>
<p>Well, there are Vanderbilt and Duke, but there are the usual concerns about admissions and cost.</p>
<p>There are also the usual suspects among public universities like Texas, Texas A&M, Rice, Florida, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Virginia, and Virginia Tech, but there can still be the usual concerns about admissions and cost.</p>
<p>^ Rice is private.</p>
<p>The University of Miami is also worth considering, though that might be a little far from your expected college location.</p>
<p>WUStL is an obvious choice if your test scores improve. Well within your desired radius (far closer than universities like Duke and UVA), strong in business and overall, great quality of life, cool location.</p>
<p>Rhodes might be too close to home for comfort, but it’s worth a look anyway. As you probably know, it’s one of the few LACs to have an actual business major.</p>
<p>It’d be prudent to have at least one public (U of M, MTSU, UT, whatever) on the list as a school you can get into and afford. You could get a full ride or close to it at some of them, I think.</p>