<p>Hello.
I have recently been accepted to both USC and UC Santa Barbara's Masters of Arts in Economics.
I currently live in Orange County. I have not really received any financial aid from both schools, but I do not really mind paying for the USC education. I like that UCSB is in a great area and has a friendly environment.
Which school's MA program is more highly ranked?
Which program will be better for the job market (locally and nationally)?
Which school will be more enjoyable and educational?</p>
<p>I appreciate all of the advice and help you can give me. </p>
<p>Firstly, what did you mean by “I do not really mind paying for the USC education”? Are you paying for it, or are your parents? If they, do they mind? Do they have sufficient assets to guarantee their comfortable retirement after spending $210,000 over the next four years vs. $110,000 at UCSB?</p>
<p>Second, the rankings at the graduate level are as follows — old data, but these things don’t change too much over the years:</p>
<p>Economics </p>
<p>1 Harvard 4.95
2 Chicago 4.95
3 MIT 4.93
.
.
.
40 Southern Cal 2.66
.
.
.
49 Cal Santa Barbara 2.38
50 Purdue 2.37</p>
<p>Well this is not a four year education. It is a one year master’s program at UCSB and a one and half year master’s at USC. My parents/work/and own savings will help me pay for either school.</p>
<p>If this is an Master of Arts degree in Economics, will it prepare you in econometrics and other advanced statistical/mathematical techniques to be employed? If not, I would see little value in it unless you want to teach high school economics or something …</p>
<p>Well I would opt for the least expensive route. Make sure you do well 3.8 GPA and higher and do not get any B’s or B+'s which are equivalent to C’s on the grad level. How well you do GPA wise will make or break your opportunities for a Ph.D. program.</p>
<p>I have an offer from USC, UC Davis, and UCSB for MA in economics (1year).
Anyway from what I have heard UCSB sounds like a great place to spend a year at.
However just wanted to get people opinion on how “bad” / "easy"the graduate econ program at UCSB is viewed. Might try to go back to investment banking after graduating or work at NGO/government type economist role.</p>
<p>In terms of my background, have an undergrad from cambridge in the UK and have been working at a top bank for last 3 years. Basically want come to the US to study but also enjoy the experience. I have an offer from MIT (related field), NYU and Michigan ann arbor, but if im coming over to the US, prefer it to be Cali. </p>
<p>So
1} is UCSB’s academic standing really that bad?
2}as a graduate student living in graduate housing, is there still interaction with undergrads, or is the undergrad social life totally seperate to grad students?
3} Is UC Davis a good compromise?</p>
<p>I think that if you really want the best name to back your resume up, you should consider USC. Although the education that you will receive at davis and santa barbara will be very similar to SC, it will be beneficial to your resume to attend sc.</p>