Understand that Economics is not the same as a BBA (Bachelor of Business Admin) or, by other names, a degree in Business.
A Business degree attempts to cover, or should, the main bases that will prepare a person to be an entrepreneur or a business executive. Essentially, it should provide the knowledge breadth necessary to effectively manage a firm: Corporate Financial and Managerial Accounting, Corporate Finance, Strategic Mgmt, Marketing, Operations Mgmt, International Business, Organizational Behavior, System Mgmt, Price/Cost Mgmt, Business Law, IT Mgmt, and Econ (Micro and Macro), and some sort of Entrepreneurialism class/project, and a Negotiations class, will provide such a knowledge base. You are most likely to find those in a Business program.
But…
If you find an Econ program offering some or most of those other business-related courses, you might be able to fashion a sort of Business education out of an Econ major. So I wouldn’t write off LACs and U’s that lack a Business school/major – do your research and find out if the school offers some of the courses I listed. You especially need Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Ops Mgmt, and Business Law.
I have worked at two smaller wall street firms where the top execs went to Cornell undergrad.
One was founding CEO, other president of another firm.
In the past Citigroup CEO and Goldman Chairman were Cornell grads.
If you are sure you want business I would try for Wharton or Cornell based on which campus feels
right to you.
Dartmouth wont hurt at all, but give as much of the advantage you seek.
Why put it first (ED)? Not saying dont apply, but ED ?
If you care more about a close not smaller school experience, there are many
good choices, and Dartmouth is certainly one, But you are comparing apples and oranges here.
I do agree that you should decide if you want to go the business route or the economics route. They are not the same thing. If you are in a b-school you will take introductory classes in a number of business areas such as accounting, finance, IT, etc. and then will major in one of those disciplines. Economics is a liberal arts course of study and gets pretty theoretical at the upper levels. One is not better than the other, but you should take the time and understand the differences. Look at the courses you would take in a b-school and as an economics major and see if you have a preference.