Which program is better?
UCSD has a more math heavy, qualitative program but it’s considered one of the strongest departments at SD as well as one of the best Econ departments in the nation. There’s also a Nobel laureate on the faculty rn
UCSB also has a Nobel laureate in their econ faculty. I’d say (from experience/knowing students in the UCSB econ program) it is also academically rigorous. UCSB also has been climbing the UC ranks and is expanding its technological programs, which is something to consider.