Okay, so basically my question is how big of a difference is there between a degree in economics from the respective schools above? Will companies look at UCLA a lot differently than Cal, Duke, or Northwestern or will the same opportunities be available no matter where I go?
The cost of attendance for the schools is:
Which college would you choose based on this information?
In many important ways, these schools would seem to be pretty similar for the study of economics. Perhaps worth noting as bit of a distinguishing aspect, though, might be UCB’s prominent position with respect to faculty publishing in the field: https://ideas.repec.org/top/top.usecondept.html. (Note that if normalized by department size, your choices might place differently, however.)
For that big of a price difference, I would stay in-state with either UCLA or Cal.
@ProfessorPlum168 That’s what I’m thinking. I’m trying to decide between UCLA and Cal right now. I just wanted to make sure that eliminating Duke and Northwestern is a good decision (it’s so hard to turn them down). Now, I’m just curious if Cal and UCLA’s economics departments are different enough for that to play a part in my decision. I know that Cal is better for econ, but is the difference large enough to change the job opportunities available to me? Would employers have a significant preference for Cal econ majors over UCLA econ majors?
Cal is higher ranked for both Math and Econ, but UCLA is way up there too. It might come down to what type of employer you want to focus more on. NorCal is more high tech and biotech while LA is more entertainment and aerospace. But those are generalities, there’s crossover on either side too. Tough call.
An undergrad econ degree from either of your California options will stand you in just as good stead as the options that will cost you 2x as much.
So, if you are lucky enough to come from a family where $120,000 is a complete non-issue, then choose based on personal preference. If there is any difference in debt, run, don’t walk, to the UC options. The biggest gift you can give future you is not having any more debt than absolutely necessary when you finish college.
…and congrats on some superb choices!
Why settle for less? UCB.
If money is no concern, i.e., wealthy family, then I’d choose either private. But if your family is not a top five percenter, Go Bears!
Econ with a desire to be an academic and you want to gun it out with other math geniuses - Cal.
If money is no object I would also storngly consider Northwestern. Equally strong students and professors but more of a balanced and traditional college experience. Imho.
If you want equally strong academics and focused on translating this to business. Warm weather. Beaches. Sports. UCLA.
If money is no object. I would choose Duke for the business connections, internships and overall collegiate experience. Also the more mild and wonderful weather. But with a touch of seasonality.
@asdfjidj . . . Did you go to Cal Day or Bruin Day? Not coincidentally, they were on the same day.
Also consider where you currently live in CA. My S18 chose UCLA over UCB because Berkeley is too close to home. I can imagine SoCal people making the opposite choice for the same reason.
Anyway UCLA students all seem overwhelmingly happy, perhaps a bit more so than Berkeley (and the food is better at UCLA). The weather probably helps. Unless you got Regents at one but not the other, I’d suggest going to whichever you feel more at home at, I don’t think there’s enough of a difference in academic reputation to be decisive.
@asdfjidj Did you apply and not get into MMSS at Northwestern? Also, is housing guaranteed at UCLA/UCB for all 4 years? The cost difference could decrease if you plan to look for off campus housing for which Evanston is cheaper than Berkeley or Westwood.
^^no 4-year housing at UC, but off campus is always less expensive.
@IWannaHelp . . . UCLA has 3 years guaranteed housing for freshmen and is working on all four years by building new dorms.
Cal arguably has one of the best Econ depts in the world. If OP cares about access to the top faculty in economics Cal wins hands down. (IMF chief economist Maurice Obstfeld, former Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen, just to name a few, are all at Cal)
Berkeley is at the point, at least for this year, where they could offer dorms for any upcoming sophomore who wanted a dorm. My kid is staying in the same dorm for next year, something unheard of even a year ago unless you were Regents. But I don’t think its a dealbreaker in any event, as most students at both UCB and UCLA go off-campus pretty much in the last year or 2 anyways. You usually wind up saving a few thousand a year by going off-campus.
Can you afford Duke and NU?
Department rankings matter very little at the undergraduate level. I would make a decision based on affordability and the overall quality of the university.
And if people on this website are leading you to believe that your job opportunities will be worse if you go to Duke or NU, they aren’t living in the real world. McKinsey and Goldman Sachs don’t look at economics grad school rankings when making hiring decisions.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-colleges-that-offer-the-best-financial-futures-1536188587
^ Colleges that offer the best financial futures (according to the Wall Street Journal). Duke is first (tied with Harvard and Yale). None of your other choices crack the top 10.
If you can’t afford to go to one of the private schools, UCLA and Berkeley are perfectly good options. Since you don’t appear to have received any financial aid, your family is probably fairly affluent and the relative cost may not be as much of a concern as it would be for someone else.
@firmament2x I went to Bruin day. I love UCLA, but I’m a bit worried that the classes won’t be as good there as my other options. I don’t want to choose based on rankings, but, at the same time, I don’t want to completely ignore that Cal is tied for #1 for economics. Also, I prefer the weather in NorCal because it’s really hot in SoCal, but there’s not a perfect university; I’ll have to weigh the pros and cons of all my options
@asdfjidj . . . did I see that someone, not yourself, stated that you’re from NorCal? Let me look back to see if this was referenced. I don’t see it.
If you don’t mind, let me ask a few questions other questions.
What do you plan on doing with your math and economics degree?
Can you answer the question as to finances? Will you be in debt at any of the colleges?
@firmament2x I am from SoCal. I’m not 100% certain on what I’d do with my math/econ degree, but a few career options that I’m thinking about are an environmental economist, actuary, investment banker, etc. My ideal plan is to work for like 20 years in a normal job and then create my own nonprofit to focus on the development of 3rd world countries. As for finances, I would not be in debt at any of the colleges, but it would be tough for my parents to pay for the private schools (I would prefer not to put my parents in that situation although they are willing to make life changes to send me wherever I would like to go). I’m leaning towards UCLA right now because of the proximity to family, better food, and the students seem happier. I’m only hesitant because I went to classes at both campuses this week, and I liked Cal’s classes better. Also, Cal is ranked #1 for economics while UCLA is #12. Additionally, I think I would grow more as a person at Cal with the exposure to what the real world is like (homeless people everywhere and not necessarily the safest surroundings).