phd in education economics

Economics and Education PhD

Doctor of philosophy in economics and education.

Admissions Information

Displaying requirements for the Spring 2024, Summer 2024, and Fall 2024 terms.

Doctor of Philosophy

• Points/Credits: 75
• Entry Terms: Fall

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Select programs remain open beyond our standard application deadlines , such as those with an extended deadline or those that are rolling (open until June or July). If your program is rolling or has an extended deadline indicated above, applications are reviewed as they are received and on a space-available basis. We recommend you complete your application as soon as possible as these programs can close earlier if full capacity has been met.

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Additional degree information.

Program Guide

Doctoral Program Worksheet

Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2023-2024)

Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024 terms.

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This 75-point degree program is intended for individuals who want to acquire advanced training in the theory, methods, and practices in the economics of education. It is a highly selective program to prepare individuals for leadership roles in teaching, research, or administrative settings.

The coursework for this program consists of three parts: core courses, courses in research methods, and courses in a specialized area of study, such as higher education, early childhood education, field experimentation, or a regional focus. Students work on their dissertation under the guidance of faculty advisors within the program; additional members of the dissertation committee may be drawn from other TC Departments, and at least one committee member must be from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. All degrees are conferred by Columbia University. https://www.tc.columbia.edu/education-policy-and- social-analysis/economics-and-education/degrees/doctor-of-philosophy- in-economics-and-education-econ/

Admission to the Ph.D. program is highly selective. All applications to enter the program are evaluated on an individual and holistic basis. However, the curriculum of the degree program assumes that students have some previous coursework in economics and statistics, possess intellectual maturity, and demonstrate an interest in education policy and practice. Compelling applications for admission demonstrate the applicant’s capacity for success and also clearly explain how the Economics and Education curriculum fits with the applicant’s past experiences and future goals.

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Program Director : Professor Alex Eble

Teachers College, Columbia University 212 Zankel, Suite B

Contact Person: Katherine Y. Chung, Program Manager

Phone: (212) 678-3677 Fax: (212) 678-3677

Email: kc2610@tc.columbia.edu

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Doctoral programs.

The goal of the GSE PhD in Education is to prepare the next generation of leading education researchers. The cornerstone of the doctoral experience at the Stanford Graduate School of Education is the research apprenticeship that all students undertake, typically under the guidance of their academic advisor, but often with other Stanford faculty as well.

In this apprenticeship model, doctoral students are provided with a multi-year funding package that consists of opportunities each quarter to serve as teaching and research assistants for faculty members' courses and research projects. By this means, and in combination with the courses they take as part of their program, students are prepared over an approximately five-year period to excel as university teachers and education researchers.

The doctoral degree in Education at the GSE includes doctoral program requirements as well as a specialization, as listed below, overseen by a faculty committee from one of the GSE's three academic areas.

Doctoral programs by academic area

Curriculum studies and teacher education (cte).

• ‌ Elementary Education
• ‌ History/Social Science Education
• ‌ Learning Sciences and Technology Design
• ‌ Literacy, Language, and English Education
• ‌ Mathematics Education
• ‌ Science, Engineering and Technology Education
• ‌ Race, Inequality, and Language in Education
• ‌ Teacher Education

Developmental and Psychological Sciences (DAPS)

• ‌ Developmental and Psychological Sciences

Social Sciences, Humanities, and Interdisciplinary Policy Studies in Education (SHIPS)

• ‌ Anthropology of Education
• ‌ Economics of Education
• ‌ Education Data Science
• ‌ ‌Educational Linguistics
• ‌ Educational Policy
• ‌ Higher Education
• ‌ History of Education
• ‌ International Comparative Education
• ‌ Organizational Studies
• ‌ Philosophy of Education
• ‌ Sociology of Education

Cross-area specializations

Learning sciences and technology design (lstd).

LSTD allows doctoral students to study learning sciences and technology design within the context of their primary program of study (DAPS, CTE, or SHIPS).

Race, Inequality, and Language in Education (RILE)

RILE trains students to become national leaders in conducting research on how race, inequality, and language intersect to make both ineffective and effective educational opportunities. RILE allows students to specialize within their program of study (DAPS, CTE, or SHIPS).

Other academic opportunities

• ‌ Concentration in Education and Jewish Studies
• ‌ PhD Minor in Education
• ‌ Stanford Doctoral Training Program in Leadership for System-wide Inclusive Education (LSIE)
• ‌ Certificate Program in Partnership Research in Education
• ‌ Public Scholarship Collaborative

“I came to Stanford to work with faculty who value learning in informal settings and who are working to understand and design for it.”

Doctoral graduates were employed within four months of graduation

of those employed worked in organizations or roles related to education

For more information about GSE admissions and to see upcoming events and appointments:

To learn more about the Academic Services team:

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The Doctoral Specialization in the Economics of Education is administered by faculty from the Education Policy Unit in the Department of Educational Administration. Students in the program take a series of doctoral-level courses in economics and education policy to provide them with expertise in econometric methods, economic theory and education policy to produce high-quality research on topics in the intersection of economics and education.

Focus on education issues

The foci of the doctoral specialization, both substantive and methodological, is built around work in the economics of education. Education issues include teacher quality, school finance, school choice and the effects of many other factors on student achievement, as well as methodological questions about the estimation of effects in correlational, quasi-experimental and experimental studies.

Who is eligible?

Enrollment in the specialization is open to students enrolled in any doctoral program at Michigan State University. While there are no formal prerequisites, students are expected to have completed undergraduate coursework in statistics, multivariate calculus and linear algebra. Specific courses may have additional requirements or prerequisites. Students who are unsure if they meet these expectations should contact the program coordinator before enrolling.

Course Requirements

Students must complete the following with a 3.5 grade-point average in courses across the specialization (18 credits):

• Both of the following courses with a grade of 3.0 or higher in each course: (6 credits): EC 820A – Econometrics IA (3 credits) EC 820B – Econometrics IB (3 credits)
• One additional 3-credit graduate-level advanced statistics or econometrics course as determined by the student’s guidance committee.
• One of the following courses (3 credits): AFRE 805 – Microeconomic Analysis (3 credits) EC 812A – Microeconomics I (3 credits)
• Both of the following courses (6 credits): EAD 948 – Advanced Economics of Education (3 credits) EAD 949 – Advanced Seminar in Education Policy (3 credits)
• Complete a substantial research paper on a topic in the economics of education as approved by the student’s guidance committee.

Completion Requirements

Upon completion of all coursework and paper requirements, students must initiate an Economics of Education Completion form , used to notify the program administrators that the student has met all of the program requirements.

The student initiates the process. They should fill out the form which is then routed by the student to their guidance committee chair/director. The student and guidance committee member must sign the form, confirming completion of the requirements. The form is then routed to the Economics of Education Coordinator for their signature. Once all signatures are collected, the form should be sent to the Program Assistant at [email protected].

If the student has completed all of the requirements, they must apply to graduate from the specialization. The Graduation Application is now available at student.msu.edu . After clicking on the Academic Progress tile, you will see a link to Apply for Graduation in the left-hand navigation under the Graduation heading. Application for graduation can occur at the time the specialization requirements are complete or at the same time as the student’s doctoral degree.

Application Process

Applicants must be admitted to a doctoral program at Michigan State University. To apply for a specialization in Economics of Education, submit the Intent to Enroll form linked below. Once signed by the applicant and their advisor/guidance committee chairperson, the Intent to Enroll form must be sent to [email protected] or can be mailed to Economics of Education Doctoral Specialization Program, Erickson Hall, 620 Farm Lane, Room 402, E. Lansing, MI 48824.

Professor Scott Imberman

Mailing Address: 486 W Circle Dr. 110 Marshall-Adams Hall Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824

Office Location: 25D Marshall-Adams Hall

Phone:  517-355-4667

Email:   [email protected]

Doctor of Philosophy in Education

Additional Information

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• Admissions & Aid

The Harvard Ph.D. in Education trains cutting-edge researchers who work across disciplines to generate knowledge and translate discoveries into transformative policy and practice.

Offered jointly by the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the Ph.D. in Education provides you with full access to the extraordinary resources of Harvard University and prepares you to assume meaningful roles as university faculty, researchers, senior-level education leaders, and policymakers.

As a Ph.D. candidate, you will collaborate with scholars across all Harvard graduate schools on original interdisciplinary research. In the process, you will help forge new fields of inquiry that will impact the way we teach and learn. The program’s required coursework will develop your knowledge of education and your expertise in a range of quantitative and qualitative methods needed to conduct high-quality research. Guided by the goal of making a transformative impact on education research, policy, and practice, you will focus on independent research in various domains, including human development, learning and teaching, policy analysis and evaluation, institutions and society, and instructional practice.   

Curriculum Information

The Ph.D. in Education requires five years of full-time study to complete. You will choose your individual coursework and design your original research in close consultation with your HGSE faculty adviser and dissertation committee. The requirements listed below include the three Ph.D. concentrations: Culture, Institutions, and Society; Education Policy and Program Evaluation; and Human Development, Learning and Teaching . 

We invite you to review an example course list, which is provided in two formats — one as the full list by course number and one by broad course category . These lists are subject to modification. 

Ph.D. Concentrations and Examples

Summary of Ph.D. Program

Doctoral Colloquia  In year one and two you are required to attend. The colloquia convenes weekly and features presentations of work-in-progress and completed work by Harvard faculty, faculty and researchers from outside Harvard, and Harvard doctoral students. Ph.D. students present once in the colloquia over the course of their career.

Research Apprenticeship The Research Apprenticeship is designed to provide ongoing training and mentoring to develop your research skills throughout the entire program.

Teaching Fellowships The Teaching Fellowship is an opportunity to enhance students' teaching skills, promote learning consolidation, and provide opportunities to collaborate with faculty on pedagogical development.

Comprehensive Exams  The Written Exam (year 2, spring) tests you on both general and concentration-specific knowledge. The Oral Exam (year 3, fall/winter) tests your command of your chosen field of study and your ability to design, develop, and implement an original research project.

Dissertation  Based on your original research, the dissertation process consists of three parts: the Dissertation Proposal, the writing, and an oral defense before the members of your dissertation committee.

Culture, Institutions, and Society (CIS) Concentration

In CIS, you will examine the broader cultural, institutional, organizational, and social contexts relevant to education across the lifespan. What is the value and purpose of education? How do cultural, institutional, and social factors shape educational processes and outcomes? How effective are social movements and community action in education reform? How do we measure stratification and institutional inequality? In CIS, your work will be informed by theories and methods from sociology, history, political science, organizational behavior and management, philosophy, and anthropology. You can examine contexts as diverse as classrooms, families, neighborhoods, schools, colleges and universities, religious institutions, nonprofits, government agencies, and more.

Education Policy and Program Evaluation (EPPE) Concentration

In EPPE, you will research the design, implementation, and evaluation of education policy affecting early childhood, K–12, and postsecondary education in the U.S. and internationally. You will evaluate and assess individual programs and policies related to critical issues like access to education, teacher effectiveness, school finance, testing and accountability systems, school choice, financial aid, college enrollment and persistence, and more. Your work will be informed by theories and methods from economics, political science, public policy, and sociology, history, philosophy, and statistics. This concentration shares some themes with CIS, but your work with EPPE will focus on public policy and large-scale reforms.

Human Development, Learning and Teaching (HDLT) Concentration

In HDLT, you will work to advance the role of scientific research in education policy, reform, and practice. New discoveries in the science of learning and development — the integration of biological, cognitive, and social processes; the relationships between technology and learning; or the factors that influence individual variations in learning — are transforming the practice of teaching and learning in both formal and informal settings. Whether studying behavioral, cognitive, or social-emotional development in children or the design of learning technologies to maximize understanding, you will gain a strong background in human development, the science of learning, and sociocultural factors that explain variation in learning and developmental pathways. Your research will be informed by theories and methods from psychology, cognitive science, sociology and linguistics, philosophy, the biological sciences and mathematics, and organizational behavior.

Program Faculty

The most remarkable thing about the Ph.D. in Education is open access to faculty from all Harvard graduate and professional schools, including the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the Harvard Kennedy School, the Harvard Law School, Harvard Medical School, and the Harvard School of Public Health. Learn about the full Ph.D. Faculty.

Jarvis R. Givens

Jarvis Givens studies the history of American education, African American history, and the relationship between race and power in schools.

Paul L. Harris

Paul Harris is interested in the early development of cognition, emotion, and imagination in children.

Meira Levinson

Meira Levinson is a normative political philosopher who works at the intersection of civic education, youth empowerment, racial justice, and educational ethics. 

Luke W. Miratrix

Luke Miratrix is a statistician who explores how to best use modern statistical methods in applied social science contexts.

Eric Taylor

Eric Taylor studies the economics of education, with a particular interest in employer-employee interactions between schools and teachers — hiring and firing decisions, job design, training, and performance evaluation.

Paola Uccelli

Paola Ucelli studies socio-cultural and individual differences in the language development of multilingual and monolingual students.

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Dissertations.

The following is a complete listing of successful Ph.D. in Education dissertations to-date. Dissertations from November 2014 onward are publicly available in the Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard (DASH) , the online repository for Harvard scholarship.

• 2022 Graduate Dissertations (265 KB pdf)
• 2021 Graduate Dissertations (177 KB pdf)
• 2020 Graduate Dissertations (121 KB pdf)
• 2019 Graduate Dissertations (68.3 KB pdf)

Student Directory

An opt-in listing of current Ph.D. students with information about their interests, research, personal web pages, and contact information:

Doctor of Philosophy in Education Student Directory

Introduce Yourself

Tell us about yourself so that we can tailor our communication to best fit your interests and provide you with relevant information about our programs, events, and other opportunities to connect with us.

Program Highlights

Explore examples of the Doctor of Philosophy in Education experience and the impact its community is making on the field:

Improving the Teacher Workforce

With her research work, doctoral marshal Mary Laski, Ph.D.'24, is trying to make teaching in K–12 schools more sustainable and attractive

Building The ‘Bridge’ Between Research and Practice

Marshal Doug Mosher, Ph.D.'24, reflects on his journey to the Ed. School and the lessons — musical and teaching — learned along the way

Economics of Education

The Education Program studies the effect of education on individuals’ earnings and other outcomes, as well as the effect of educational inputs and education policies on student achievement.

Program Director

Caroline M. Hoxby is the Scott and Donya Bommer Professor of Economics at Stanford University and a Senior Fellow of the Hoover Institution and the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research. Her research spans the field of education economics, including K-12 as well as college. She has been an NBER affiliate since 1994.

Featured Program Content

• Authors: Clare Halloran , Claire E. Hug , Rebecca Jack & Emily Oster

• Authors: Eric A. Hanushek , Jin Luo , Andrew J. Morgan , Minh Nguyen , Ben Ost , Steven G. Rivkin , Ayman Shakeel , Andrew J. Morgan , Minh Nguyen , Eric A. Hanushek , Ben Ost & Steven G. Rivkin et al. (View all)

LERNER BUSINESS & ECONOMICS

• Economic Education (Ph.D.)

PhD Program

Year after year, our top-ranked PhD program sets the standard for graduate economics training across the country. Graduate students work closely with our world-class faculty to develop their own research and prepare to make impactful contributions to the field.

Our doctoral program enrolls 20-24 full-time students each year and students complete their degree in five to six years. Students undertake core coursework in microeconomic theory, macroeconomics, and econometrics, and are expected to complete two major and two minor fields in economics. Beyond the classroom, doctoral students work in close collaboration with faculty to develop their research capabilities, gaining hands-on experience in both theoretical and empirical projects.

How to apply

Students are admitted to the program once per year for entry in the fall. The online application opens on September 15 and closes on December 15.

Meet our students

Our PhD graduates go on to teach in leading economics departments, business schools, and schools of public policy, or pursue influential careers with organizations and businesses around the world. 

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Economic Analysis & Policy

Our doctoral program in the field of economic analysis and policy prepares students for research careers in economics. The program offers rigorous training and has several distinct advantages:

Low Student-to-Faculty Ratio

First, enrollment in the program is small. This encourages close faculty-student contact and allows students to become involved in research very early. Students work first as assistants on faculty research projects and, as their interests and skills develop, on their own research. Students often begin their publishing careers before completing their degrees.

Flexible and Innovative Program

Second, the program is flexible and innovative; students can draw on both the school’s and the university’s distinguished faculty. In addition to the faculty in the economics group at Stanford GSB and in the university’s economics department, students have access to faculty in political and behavioral sciences; accounting and finance; mathematics, statistics, and computer science; and many other disciplines.

A Top-Ranked School

Third, the program is part of a top-ranked professional school. This setting allows students to gain a deeper understanding of the actual processes of business decision-making and public policy formulation.

Preparation and Qualifications

Students who enroll in this program have a substantial background in economics and mathematics. They are expected to have, minimally, mathematical skills at the level of one year of advanced calculus and one course each in linear algebra, analysis, probability, optimization, and statistics.

The faculty selects students based on predicted performance in the program. Evidence of substantial background or ability in the use of mathematical reasoning and statistical methods is important. Most successful applicants had quantitative undergraduate majors in economics, mathematics, or related sciences.

In addition to evidence of ability and letters of recommendation, the faculty considers carefully the applicant’s statement of purpose for pursuing the PhD degree. The successful applicant usually has clearly defined career goals that are compatible with those of the program.

Acceptance into the program is extremely competitive. Admitted applicants compare very favorably with students enrolled in the top economics departments of major universities.

Economic Analysis & Policy Faculty

Mohammad akbarpour, claudia allende santa cruz, susan athey, lanier benkard, jeremy i. bulow, modibo khane camara, sebastian di tella, rebecca diamond, yossi feinberg, guido w. imbens, charles i. jones, michael ostrovsky, garth saloner, yuliy sannikov, kathryn shaw, andrzej skrzypacz, paulo somaini, juan carlos suárez serrato, takuo sugaya, christopher tonetti, shoshana vasserman, ali yurukoglu, weijie zhong, emeriti faculty, alain c. enthoven, robert j. flanagan, david m. kreps, peter c. reiss, john roberts, a. michael spence, robert wilson, recent publications in economic analysis & policy, battling the coronavirus ‘infodemic’ among social media users in kenya and nigeria, using wasserstein generative adversarial networks for the design of monte carlo simulations, adaptive novelty detection with false discovery rate guarantee, recent insights by stanford business, nine stories to get you through tax season, a.i. can help “personalize” policies to reach the right people, stanford gsb faculty share their holiday reading lists, placement director.

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The Ph.D. Program in the Department of Economics at Harvard is addressed to students of high promise who wish to prepare themselves in teaching and research in academia or for responsible positions in government, research organizations, or business enterprises. Students are expected to devote themselves full-time to their programs of study.

The program prepares students for productive and stimulating careers as economists. Courses and seminars offered by the department foster an intellectually active and stimulating environment. Each week, the department sponsors more than 15 different seminars on such topics as environmental economics, economic growth and development, monetary and fiscal policy, international economics, industrial organization, law and economics, behavioral economics, labor economics, and economic history. Top scholars from both domestic and international communities are often invited speakers at the seminars.  The Harvard community outside of the department functions as a strong and diverse resource. Students in the department are free to pursue research interests with scholars throughout the University. Faculty of the Harvard Law School, Kennedy School of Government, and Harvard Business School, for example, are available to students for consultation, instruction, and research guidance. As a member of the Harvard community, students in the department can register for courses in the various schools and have access to the enormous library resources available through the University. There are over 90 separate library units at Harvard, with the total collections of books and pamphlets numbering over 13 million.  Both the department and the wider University draw some of the brightest students from around the world, which makes for a student body that is culturally diverse and likely unequaled in the range of intellectual interests of its members. These factors combine to add an important dimension to the educational process. Students are able to learn from one another, collaborate on research projects and publications, and form bonds that are not broken by distance once the degree is completed and professional responsibilities lead them in different directions.

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Graduate Programs Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Economic Education

This Ph.D. program is on moratorium and no longer accepting new students. This page is for students admitted to the program prior to Fall 2021.

An Interdisciplinary Program for Leaders in Economic Education

The doctorate in economic education is designed to train the next generation of leaders in this fast-growing field. It is a joint program of Lerner’s economics department and the School of Education.

The field of economic education focuses on developing and evaluating economic and financial literacy programs and curricula in the K-12 school system, universities and a wide variety of outreach programs.

Traditionally, professionals and scholars in this field have been trained in either economics or education, with little or no formal training in the other area. This is no longer adequate. The increasing complexity and importance of economics in today’s world requires scholars and leaders who have a deeper understanding of both disciplines.

The program draws on the strengths of the University of Delaware’s economics and education graduate programs and on UD’s nationally-recognized Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship.

Program Highlights

The curriculum is evenly balanced between coursework in economics and education. The elective options allow you to specialize in one area or the other, depending on your interests and strengths.

The program can be completed in four years following a B.A., although the typical student takes five years to complete the degree. Students with substantial prior graduate training in economics or education can complete the program in three years.

Program Coordinator: Elizabeth Farley-Ripple (Education) and Thomas Bridges (Economics)

Student Spotlight

Erin Yetter

Erin Yetter, the first ever graduate of UD’s doctorate in economic education program, won the Journal of Economics Teaching’s 2016 Best Paper Award for her paper, “Using the Berenstain Bears to Teach Economics in the Elementary Classroom.” She works as an economic education specialist with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Louisville Branch where she writes curriculum materials, conducts professional development for teachers and continues to research student learning of economic concepts.

Program Faculty

Program requirements.

Graduate students are required to be registered for courses every semester, including the semester in which their degree is conferred, unless they are on an approved Leave of Absence. The program requires a minimum of 45 graduate-level credits.

Economic Theory & Statistical Methods Competency Courses

All students must demonstrate graduate-level competence in economic theory and in statistical methods by completing the following UD courses or by seeking waivers for previously completed coursework. The Department of Economics has sole authority to award waivers for economics courses and the School of Education has sole authority to award waivers for education courses.

• ECON 801 – Microeconomics
• ECON 802 – Macroeconomics
• ECON 803 – Applied Econometrics I
• ECON 804 – Applied Econometrics II
• EDUC 856 – Introduction to Statistical Inference

Required Courses

As indicated above, some students will also take additional courses in economic theory and in statistical methods.

• EDUC 805 – Proseminar in Education I
• EDUC 806 – Proseminar in Education II
• EDUC 850 – Qualitative Research in Educational Settings
• EDUC 812, 826, 865, 873 or 874
• EDUC 840 – Research Colloquium in Education
• 2 EDUC electives
• ECON 820 – Economics of Education Policy
• ECON 829 – Economic Education Curricula
• 2 ECON electives
• Free elective
• ECON/EDUC 964 and 969, dissertation (9 credits)

Sample Student Schedules

• Sample schedule for students with no course waivers
• Sample schedule for students with maximum course waivers  (ECON801, 802, 803, 804, EDUC 856)

Career Opportunities

As a graduate of our program, you will have a wide range of professional and academic employment opportunities, including:

• University departments of economics and education
• Councils and centers for economic education (approximately 200 nationally, most affiliated with universities)
• Education units within regional Federal Reserve banks and other private sector businesses and foundations with an interest in economic and financial education
• School districts and state departments of education
• Education consulting and evaluation firms

Where Our Graduates Work

The doctorate in economic education is a relatively new program at the University of Delaware. Our first graduate completed her doctorate in 2013. She is currently employed as an economic education specialist with the Louisville Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Our second graduate completed her degree in 2016 and is on the faculty of the Department of Economics at Michigan State University. A recent 2017 graduate is currently employed in UD’s Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship.

Alumni Profile

Lauren ahlstrom.

“The Ph.D. in Economic Education program at UD was a great fit. My coursework and experiences at UD combined my love of economics with my passion for education and provided me with a strong foundation of skills as a scholar in my field. When I was beginning to write the literature review for my dissertation, a professor on my committee gave me some excellent advice. She encouraged me to think of the literature review like a funnel that should begin with a general overview of the research, moving to a narrower focus. As a result, I explored research outside of my primary field of economic education, which gave me a much broader perspective and understanding of the questions I was studying.”

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Doctor of Philosophy in Economics

Program description.

The PhD in Economics degree program provides a cutting-edge education in economic theories and the development of a rigorous toolkit of mathematical and econometric techniques. Students also gain extensive exposure to various research areas in economics that allow them to think critically about how to approach the analysis of economic problems and contribute to the knowledge base of the discipline. The program is particularly strong in the areas of public economics, applied microeconomics, macroeconomics, data analysis, and the economics of conflict.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program seek positions such as: academic, data analyst, economist in financial institutions, management firms, and consulting firms both in private and domestic sector, academics and researcher and government positions (the Federal Reserve banks, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census Bureau, Social Security Administration and Federal Trade Commission.)

Application Requirements

Degree requirements:  Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

GPA:  Minimum GPA of 3.25 in upper-division and graduate course work in economics and related courses.

Test score required:  Yes

The minimum quantitative score is 158 with students averaging 163 on the quantitative score and 150 of the verbal score. The program does not accept GMAT scores as a substitute for GRE scores.

Letters of recommendation:  3

Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation from individuals who can judge the candidate’s probability of success in graduate school. Use the electronic request form in the graduate application to submit the letters. Contact the graduate academic program department if you have any questions.

Admissions essay required:  Yes

A one-page essay outlining the applicant’s background, reasons for choosing UT Dallas, prior educational experiences, and personal objectives.

Deadlines:  University  deadlines  apply.

Contact Information

Judy Du Graduate Program Administrator Email: [email protected] Phone: 972-883-4964 Office: GR 2.808

Degree Information Dr. Seth Giertz Director of Graduate Studies Email: [email protected] Phone: 972-883-6234 Office: GR 2.244

EPPS Advising The University of Texas at Dallas 800 W Campbell Rd, GR 31 Richardson, TX 75080-3021 [email protected]

epps.utdallas.edu/

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* Required Field

The PhD in Economics is a small and focused program, with students concentrating in one of two areas of specialization: Industrial Organization, Competition Policy, and Regulatory Economics and Labor Economics. The program is applied in nature and is designed for students who are considering work in the government and private sectors as well as academic jobs.

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Fewer than ten students enter the PhD in Economics program each year. Students may concentrate in either Industrial Organization, Competition Policy, and Regulatory Economics; or Labor Economics. Each field is covered in two semester courses at the PhD level. Admission from the Bachelor’s level requires taking the MA core courses and two additional elective courses plus the PhD requirements.

The field of Industrial Organization, Competition Policy, and Regulatory Economics analyzes and evaluates the performance of markets and devises appropriate policy responses when markets are not performing well. By developing techniques for examining the structure, conduct, and performance of markets, it bridges economic theory and the real world. In addition, it helps to develop and implement antitrust and regulatory policies to remedy failures of those markets.

The field of L abor Economics analyzes the neoclassical labor market, covering such topics as the supply of labor from the perspective of the individual and the family, human capital, the demand for labor, market equilibrium, and the determination and distribution of wages and earnings. Theoretical and empirical issues surrounding current topics in labor economics are examined, and may include discrimination, efficiency wage theory, labor legislation, life cycle analysis and the use of microdata (panel studies), search behavior, intergenerational earnings mobility, and employment and training policies.

Learn more about the PhD program in Economics from the College of Social Sciences and Humanities .

The Economics department faculty engage in research in a wide range of academic and applied areas including industrial organization, competition policy, labor economics, development economics, network science, innovation policy, health, applied game theory, monetary policy, banking, technological change, law and economics, and education.  They serve as mentors and advisors, and collaborate alongside students to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.

• Students may enter the program from a Bachelor’s or Master’s level
• Students concentrate in Industrial Organization, Competition Policy, and Regulatory Economics or Labor Economics
• The department is home to the administrative office of the Industrial Organization Society

Our graduates pursue careers within academia and beyond.

• Analysis Group
• Charles River Associates
• City University of New York (CUNY), Queen’s College
• The Brattle Group
• Ernst and Young
• Federal Trade Commission
• Federal Reserve Bank
• Moody’s Analytics

Application Materials

Application.

• Application fee – US $100
• Personal statement
• Unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended
• English proficiency for international applicants
• Three letters of recommendation
• Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) – Optional

Admissions deadline for Fall term: December 1

• Program Website

Request Information for PhD in Economics

About the Ph.D. Program

The Ph.D. Program in Economics at UCLA prepares students for careers as economists in academia, business and government. The program combines rigorous work in economic theory and careful study of real-world problems and institutions. Graduates from this program work at major universities around the world, national and international government agencies, banks, research centers and in private businesses. Some of our graduates have achieved great prominence, such as William Sharpe , who earned both his B.A. and Ph.D. degrees at UCLA, and was co-recipient of the 1990 Nobel Prize in Economics for his work on the capital asset pricing model.

The department includes internationally recognized scholars in economic theory, econometrics, and all the major applied fields. These outstanding scholars form one of the foremost departments of economics in the world.

The Economics Department is situated within one of the world’s most youthful and vibrant universities. Founded in 1919, UCLA first developed into a major university in the 1950’s. After so short a history, the university was ranked second in the United States among public research universities by the Conference Board of Associated Research Councils in 1982. Thirty-one of its Ph.D. programs are currently ranked in the top 20 in their field–third best in the nation.

The Ph.D. is the degree objective of the graduate program. This degree is awarded to students who demonstrate professional competence by passing written qualifying exams and by completing a major piece of individual research (the Ph.D. dissertation).

Preparation for the qualifying exams through coursework and independent study occupies most student time for the first two years. Thereafter the focus shifts to independent research and finally to the writing of a Ph.D. dissertation. Research in progress by our graduate students as well as our faculty is presented at workshops that meet weekly throughout the academic year. Currently, the Dept. has workshops in Theory and Mathematical Economics, International and Development Economics, Labor and Population Economics, Business Organization and Regulation Economics, Economic History, Econometrics, and Monetary Theory. In addition, many graduate students work as research or teaching assistants for faculty members. The normal time to degree is six years.

This degree program classifies as STEM (CIP Code 45.0603: Econometrics and Quantitative Economics).

UCLA Department of Economics

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Why Earn a PhD in Economics?

A PhD prepares you to do independent research at the frontier of Economics

How to Prepare for a PhD in Economics

Important points when preparing for Graduate school in Economics

Writing Personal Statements

Research Experience

Learn how research is a component of preparing for Graduate school

Getting Useful Letters of Recommendation

PhD Student Funding

In this section, we are going to focus on being a competitive applicant for top Economics PhD programs.  We want our very best undergraduates to have a chance to get into these highly competitive programs right after completing an undergraduate degree.  Preparing for graduate school in Economics can often be a confusing process for students.  The goal of this webpage is to illuminate this process and clarify what is required to be a competitive applicant.  While we emphasize the importance of taking difficult mathematics courses, in general, as you choose less selective Economics PhD programs, you can take fewer upper division mathematics classes and still be a competitive applicant. 

Of course, a PhD in Economics is not for everyone and we want you to pursue a career path that is right for YOU.  For great resources about careers, please see UCSD Career Services Center .

There are also many PhD and MA programs outside of economics (in finance, business, public policy, data analytics, business analytics, data science, etc.) that you may be more interested in and be well qualified for.  Please speak with our Vice Chair for Undergraduate Education and other economics faculty about any higher education program you are interested in and get their advice about what it will take for you to be to be a competitive applicant.

First Steps

A key requirement for earning a PhD is that your dissertation provides new knowledge that moves out the frontier of the profession

Why earn a PhD in Economics?

The key thing you need to know is that PhD programs in economics are highly mathematical

It is a great idea to talk to someone who was just in your shoes not too long ago!

Talking to a UCSD grad

Preparing your application.

Conducting Research with a professor or graduate student will help prepare you for graduate school and can help you gain useful letters of recommendation

Letters from faculty members who know you well are the most useful letters for gaining admission to top 30 PhD and MA programs

While the prompts vary across schools, generally a personal statement will ask you to describe your research interests, qualifications, and career goals.

More Resources

Even though most graduate programs come with funding, it is potentially a good idea to apply for outside funding as well

Read the common questions about Economics Phd programs

Advice and more information from some external sources

Helpful Links

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Ph.D. in Economics

The Ph.D. program at Berkeley is designed for students interested in pursuing advanced study and conducting original research in Economics. The Ph.D. degree is awarded in recognition of the recipient's qualifications as a general economist and of the ability to make scholarly contributions in fields of specialization. Additionally, the Economics Ph.D. program is residential, there is no remote enrollment option. 

In advancing to the Ph.D. degree, students pass through two major stages:

• Preparation for candidacy typically takes two to three years. During the first two semesters, students take courses to achieve competence in econometric methods, methods of economic history and fundamentals of microeconomic and macroeconomic theory. During the next two years, students prepare for examination in two fields of specialization of their choosing, prepare a dissertation prospectus, and take an oral examination. When these steps are completed, students are advanced to candidacy.
• Completion of a dissertation after advancing to candidacy typically takes one to two years. The dissertation must be based on original research and represent a significant contribution to the body of Economic knowledge.

The entire process takes approximately five to six years, although some students are able to complete the program in less time. Below is an overview of the program requirements by year and other pertinent information.

The UC Berkeley College of Letters & Science   provides students helpful resources, links, and tools for successfully completing the Ph.D. in Economics.

ECONOMICS GRADUATE STUDENT SERVICES

The economics student services mission is to advise our students holistically by providing a high standard of service in a supportive and collaborative environment.  professional and peer advisors work as a team to provide accurate information in a timely manner.  we partner with faculty to assist students in engaging with the campus and the global economic community.  we value fairness, diversity, and the important roles our students, faculty, and staff in the department of economics play at the university of california, berkeley..

If you or someone you know is experiencing financial, food, housing or other basic needs challenges - you can find support and services at:  http://tinyurl.com/UCB-BNC-C19 .

Meet the members of the Economics Graduate Student Services advising team!

Graduate Office Address:

Brandeis International Business School

PhD in International Economics and Finance

• Job Market Placements

Class Profile

Program highlights.

Brandeis Advantage

Ranked among the best U.S. universities by U.S. News and World Report. Located close to Boston, a multicultural hub of finance, technology and innovation.

Global Career Preparation

Our doctoral program focuses on research, teaching, high-level policy making and consulting.

Renowned Faculty

Work with   faculty experts   who are leaders in academic research or seasoned financial professionals.

STEM-Designated

International students are eligible for up to 36 months of practical training in the U.S. after graduation.   Learn more.

Scholarships

Nearly all students accepted into the PhD program receive full tuition scholarships, health insurance and living stipends.

A Close-knit Community

Learn more   about our multi-cultural and supportive campus environment.

Quick Links

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PhD Career Outcomes

• Job Market Candidates

Program Value

PhD candidates develop the analytical and technical background required for research, teaching, high-level policy making and consulting in international economics and finance. They pursue jobs in education as well as in the public and private sectors.

Lara Loewenstein

Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland

MA’12, PhD’16 | United States

Vina Nguyen

Economist, IMF

PhD’14 | Vietnam

Raffi Garcia

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

PhD’18 | Dominican Republic

Cecilia Maya

Chief Operating Officer, Markets, XM

MA’00, PhD’04 | Colombia

Rawley Heimer

Boston College

PhD’13 | United States

Satyam Panday

Standard and Poor's Rating Services

PhD’13 | Nepal

Eugene Kiselev

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

PhD’13 | Russia

Olaf Unteroberdoerster

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

PhD’98 | Germany

• See Details on Career Outcomes
• After completing the first year (normally four courses per semester, including Advanced Microeconomics I and II, Advanced Macroeconomics I and II and Econometrics), students then take qualifying examinations in Microeconomics and Macroeconomics.
• After completing field courses, usually in one or two years, students take examinations in two fields of specialization.   Current areas of specialization are Applied Methods, Finance and International Economics.
• In the first year, all PhD students also enroll in ECON 399  PhD Dissertation Workshop . The workshop provides opportunities for advanced students to present papers and define thesis objectives.
• In the third year, the PhD candidates begin to  work on the dissertation , prepare initial work on the thesis, and submit a 3rd year paper.
• In the third year and beyond, the thesis takes shape and a formal committee is assembled. Once a thesis defense date is scheduled, the student presents the core of the thesis work, and once completed, the degree is awarded during the next degree period.
• PhD students are required to work as either a teaching or research assistant at Brandeis International Business School in years 1-5 of the program.
• Students receive the Master of Science degree upon successful completion of 13 courses, passing their 2nd year qualifying exams, and at least one of two field exams. 
• View Courses & Timeline

Candidates are considered for admission every other year. The next intake will be Fall 2024.

• Application Requirements
• Tuition & Financial Aid

Median Verbal GRE / Quantitative GRE

Male / Female 

Average Age

42% / 58% 

Domestic / International 

Countries Represented in the Incoming Brandeis International Business School Class

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PhD in Educational Economics and Management

Wuhan University

Description

The PhD in  Educational Economics and Management  is a 3 year program taught in English to international students. Students can start the program in September each year.

Educational Economy and Management is an emerging interdisciplinary and cross discipline, taking education science, economics, management science as the theoretical basis, using the research method of economics, management science, social studies especially the rule of the economic phenomena in the field of education, economic and management behaviors, research, educational and economic relation and its change law of development, education and research in the field of economic inputs and output rules, education by leaps and bounds, and research in the development of education management rules of science. This major aims at training high-quality talents with a solid educational economy and management theory and grasp of economics, management research methods and system of specialized knowledge, in-depth understanding of education, economy and management, with strong ability of computer application and ability of being engaged in education and scientific research at all levels of schools, education, government departments and various institutions for management, market development, research consulting and teaching.

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PhD in Refrigeration and Cryogenic Engineering

Measuring and testing technologies and instruments, phd in engineering thermophysics.

PhD in Comparative Education – BNU

Get the best of your Study in China with the best Universities offering competitive and rich curriculum programs. Search through over 5000 courses offered by more than 1000 universities in China. There is a course for every major. China Scholars’ Program consultants are always standing by to help you select the right courses within a university with a perfect learning environment. Register with the CS-Hub as it provides the technology and tools for you to interact with our team, submit your application at a single click and also pay for the program fees. The chat tool gives you 24/7 support and opportunity to book an appointment with the team.

Course Content

• Entry Requirements
• Career Options

Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens with a valid passport, under the age of 45, have attained a master’s degree.

Maple Garden Accommodation

The accommodation at Wuhan University for foreign students is in Maple Garden: Building No.1, Building No.2, Building No.4.

Facilities: Central Air Conditioner, telephone, broadband Internet access, closed-circuit TV, flush toilet and water heater

Fees: Building No. 1: Flat with 4 bedrooms (4 students share one flat): 900 RMB per month/ per person. Building No. 2: Single room: 1200 RMB per month/ per person. Building No. 4: Flat with 2 bedrooms (2 students share one flat): 1200 RMB per month/ per person.

College of Medicine Accommodation

Foreign Students Building in College of Medicine, Wuhan University: Building No. 6, Building No. 7, Building No. 8 and Building No. 9

Facilities: Air conditioner, telephone, broadband Internet access, closed circuit TV, flush toilet and water heater

Fees: Building No. 6: Single Room: 1000 RMB per month/ per person. Single Room with more space: 1200 RMB per month/ per person Single Room with more space (shared by two students): 600 RMB per month/ per person Single flat: 1400 RMB per month / per person Single flat (shared by two students): 700 RMB per month per person Building No. 7—No. 9: Flat with two bedrooms, shared by 4 students: 600 RMB per month per person.

About the University Summary

Wuhan University (WHU) is a comprehensive and key national university directly under the administration of the Ministry of Education. It is also one of the "211 Project" and "985 Project"universities with full support in the construction and development from the central and local government of China.

The history of Wuhan University can be traced back to Ziqiang Institute, which was founded in 1893 by Zhang Zhidong, the then governor of Hubei Province and Hunan Province in the late Qing Dynasty. In the process of development and evolution, the institute changed its name several times before it was finally named Wuhan National University in 1928. It is one of the earliest comprehensive national universities in modern China. By the end of 1946, the university had established 6 colleges, the colleges of liberal art, law, sciences, engineering, agriculture and medicine. In 2000, an amalgamation of the former Wuhan University, Wuhan University of Hydraulic and Electric Engineering, Wuhan Technical University of Surveying and Mapping, and Hubei Medical University was announced, which ushered in a new era in its 100-odd years of development.

Other Courses Offered By Wuhan University

PhD in Political Theory

PhD in Literature of Theatre, Film & Television

PhD in Literary and Artistic Studies

PhD in Science of Management and Engineering

PhD in Sociology

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Experiential education in action: economics students (and faculty) present at prestigious research industry conference.

In March 2024, five Economics Department faculty and 10 undergraduate and graduate students, all Dyson economics and business economics majors, presented their research papers at the annual Eastern Economic Association (EEA) conference in Boston, one of the major conferences for professional economists on the East Coast of the United States.

The student presentations, organized by Assistant Professors Mary Kaltenberg, PhD and Eric Osborne Christenson, PhD , focused on timely topics such as labor economics, sports economics, applied microeconomics, and the savings and financial markets. Both faculty and students fielded many questions and comments from professional economists as well as other engaged attendees who took part in the well-attended sessions.

The participation in the EEA conference by students is a prime example of the many innovative, experiential education opportunities provided by the Economics Department (another being the College Federal Reserve Challenge , through which Pace’s team won the National College Federal Reserve Challenge five times in the last nine years, besting Harvard and Princeton). As part of their research leading up to the EEA conference, students had the opportunity to develop analytical and quantitative skills, while also building their portfolio and resume in a way that will stand out to employees, thus enhancing their competitive edge in today’s job market.

Professor and Chair of Economics Anna Shostya said, “Through original research and guidance from faculty mentors, our students gained the capacity to convert theoretical knowledge into practical use, bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world problem-solving.” 

Training in the (economic) trenches

McKenna Moore ’24, who is in the combined BA in Economics/MS in Applied Quantitative Economic Analysis and Policy program, and also a sports enthusiast, wanted to choose a topic that both interested her and was technically challenging, requiring the use and enhancement of the web scraping skills learned in R and Python classes taken at Pace.

“Through weekly meetings with Professor Kaltenberg, I was able to learn about different types of modeling that I never would have been exposed to in the classroom while pursuing my dual degree." —McKenna Moore ’24

On her experience researching the topic, An Examination of the “Loser Effect” in the NFL , she said, “Through weekly meetings with Professor Kaltenberg, I was able to learn about different types of modeling that I never would have been exposed to in the classroom while pursuing my dual degree. I was also able to lean on my peers who were simultaneously doing research to get their feedback as I progressed through this research, which was very helpful."

The comradery among students and their support of each other, in fact, did not go unnoticed by Kaltenberg, who was particularly impressed by the long hours they spent digging into each other’s research papers and their dedication to providing quality feedback. When asked about feedback provided by other attendees at the conference, she shares that many were surprised that students were at the undergraduate or even graduate level, and presenting original work.

“Many attendees assumed our students were doctoral students. I was proud of the level of their work–many used advanced econometric techniques, had clever topics and ideas, and presented professionally,” she said.

Liam Chentoufi ’25 is a BA in Economics major who, for the past two years, has also been a member of the College Federal Reserve Challenge team, which, just prior to the EEA conference, had met with the Board of Governors in Washington, DC (as well as Chairman Powell) to ask competition-specific questions to a panel of judges as a finale to the 2023 competitive season. Given this, Chentoufi was drawn to questions surrounding the Fed and the macroeconomy, and his EEA presentation topic was Understanding the Federal Reserve .

His main takeaway from the experience was learning more about how economics conferences are conducted and, relatedly, how he can further develop his research skills. He said, “In addition to presenting our own work, attendees are often asked to be a ‘discussant’ for other papers in which one presents their interpretation/questions for the peer paper assigned to them. After receiving audience feedback, I now have more organized ideas as to what can be improved upon in my personal project.”

“Many attendees assumed our students were doctoral students. I was proud of the level of their work–many used advanced econometric techniques, had clever topics and ideas, and presented professionally." —Assistant Professor of Economics Mary Kaltenberg, PhD

Macey Cooper ’24, who is also in the combined BA in Economics/MS in Applied Quantitative Economic Analysis and Policy program, had always been interested in the healthcare sector, and, when she was younger, thought she might even want to be a doctor. Her presentation topic, Medicaid and Maternal Mortality Rates , was therefore the perfect opportunity to combine her interest in both the medical field and in economics, as she chose to look at Medicaid expansion under Obamacare, and how it might affect pregnant women.

She shares how attending the EEA conference brought her out of my comfort zone as she was tasked with presenting in front of individuals outside of the Pace community. To use an economics term, her experience was very “macro:” “I was able to gain insight into how my research resonated with a broader community, and how it fits into the overall ecosystem of the economic impact on healthcare,” she said.

The importance of funding

Kaltenberg, who also presented research at the conference with colleague, Eric Osborne Christenson, PhD, on the effect of a lack of childcare access due to Covid-19 on female labor force participation, shared that many students had been motivated to continue a career in research or consider a graduate degree in economics due to their experiences.

It was all made possible by the Dyson Initiative Fund, which allows students to participate annually, versus every two to three years, as is the case with the New York City conference.

“This funding is crucial to allow every generation of economics majors the opportunity to present their work in a professional environment. We hope to send our best students who do original research to this conference every year,” said Kaltenberg.

The Economic Times daily newspaper is available online now.

Vanier canada graduate scholarships: a guide for international doctoral students.

Story outline

• Candidate must be nomination by a Canadian institution and be a doctoral student.
• Eligible doctoral programs must feature a significant research component leading to thesis or dissertation completion.
• Scholarship holders must maintain full-time enrollment, demonstrate satisfactory progress, and refrain from concurrent holding of other federal training awards.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for a vanier canada graduate scholarship (cgs), candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:.

• Nomination by one Canadian institution with a Vanier CGS quota
• Pursuing first doctoral degree, including joint programs with significant research components
• Intending to commence full-time doctoral studies in the upcoming summer semester or academic year
• Completion of no more than 20 months of full-time study in the doctoral program as of May
• Academic excellence, typically demonstrated by a first-class average in the last two years of full-time study
• Absence of prior receipt of doctoral-level scholarship or fellowship from CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC for doctoral program completion

Canada Study Permit: Why a student visa may not be enough

The Vanier CGS is tenable only at the nominating Canadian institution and is subject to certain conditions:

• Registration in a full-time doctoral program
• Continued satisfactory progress and absence of concurrent holding of other SSHRC, NSERC, or CIHR training awards
• Permissible part-time studies under specific circumstances, with scholarship adjusted accordingly

Award Value

Application process.

Got your Canada Student Visa? Here's what you need to do next

Important Deadlines

• July – November: Applicants seek a nominating institution, prepare and submit application package.
• November: Deadline for institutions to submit nominations to the Vanier CGS program.
• November– March: Review and evaluation of nominations.
• Early April: Anticipated notification of results. Nominees will be notified by email when the results are available on ResearchNet.
• May 1, or September 1, or January 1 : Payments begin.

Canada Student Visa: Eligibility criteria, application process and the documents you need

Best Tips for Applicants

• For new applicants, starting the application process early is paramount. This allows ample time for gathering necessary documents, securing letters of recommendation, and refining the research proposal.
• Applicants should focus on articulating the potential impact of their research on their field of study and broader society.
• Highlighting leadership qualities, academic achievements, and contributions to research, teaching, and community engagement can significantly bolster their application.
• Seeking feedback from mentors or colleagues and tailoring the application to reflect individual strengths and research interests are also invaluable strategies for success.

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Is college worth it? Here’s what this national study says

As economic outcomes have improved for young americans with and without college degrees in the past decade, pew research center finds perceived value of college is a mixed bag.

By Marjorie Cortez

Just 1 in 4 American adults say it’s extremely or very important to have a four-year college degree to get a well-paying job in today’s economy.

Nearly one-third of U.S. adults say the cost of college is not worth it if someone has to take out loans.

These were just two of the findings of a Pew Research Center study that queried more than 5,200 U.S. adults on their views of the value of a college degree. The survey had a 2.1% margin of error.

The online survey, conducted Nov. 27 to Dec. 3, 2023, revealed stark differences in perceptions depending upon political affiliation.

According to survey results made public on Thursday, Republicans and Republican-leaning independents are more likely than Democrats and Democratic leaners to say it’s not too or not at all important to have a four-year college degree in order to get a well-paying job, which was the perception of half of the Republican and 30% of Democrats who responded to the survey.

The survey also found that it is “extremely or very likely” that someone without a four-year college degree can get a well-paying job. Forty-two percent of Republican and Republican-leaning independents agreed with that perception, as did 26% of Democrats and Democratic leaners.

Geoffrey Landward, Utah’s new Commissioner of Higher Education, during his recent confirmation hearing before a committee of the Utah Senate, extolled the “demonstrated benefits” of higher education.

“I believe that at no other time in higher education’s history have we faced such an existential crisis that higher education, long viewed as a pillar of American society and exceptionalism, is now viewed with distrust and it’s value doubted, all contrary to objective data,” Landward said.

“There isn’t a single person in this state who would not benefit from earning a certificate or degree from one of our institutions. Completion of a post-secondary credential is as valuable as ever. Postsecondary education remains strongly correlated with increased job security, lifetime earnings, civic engagement and personal health and happiness,” he said.

Rising earnings over the past decade — for those with and without college degrees — is another factor that has influenced perceptions of the value of a college degree, according to the report.

“After decades of falling wages, young U.S. workers (ages 25 to 34) without a bachelor’s degree have seen their earnings increase over the past 10 years. Their overall wealth has gone up too, and fewer are living in poverty today,” the report states.

Over the same period, economic outcomes have also improved for young college graduates.

“As a result, the gap in earnings between young adults with and without a college degree has not narrowed,” according to the study.

Survey responses also varied with respect to education attainment.

Thirty percent of college graduates said having a college degree is extremely or very important, compared to 22% of respondents with less education.

The percentage was even higher among postgraduates, with 35% responding that it is extremely or very important to have a four-year college degree in order to get a well-paying job, and 39% saying it’s more important to have a college degree today than it was 20 years ago.

Darin Brush, president of Davis Technical College, said the nation’s strong and stable economy may also play into perceptions about higher education.

“Most of our students have not lived through a period where they had to really compete for work. They only know plentiful job opportunities and that changes as we know. Resilience, in so many ways, depends on your credentials and your skills. Finishing that credential and certificate, finishing that degree we know also leads to greater resilience in the economy and longer and better attachment,” he said.

The college strongly encourages students who earn certificates and credentials to further their education at Weber State University. A student who trains to become a licensed electrician can earn a handsome living but also obtaining an associate degree would give them the skills they need to start their own successful business, Brush said.

Brush said he is a firm believer in higher education because he knows how earning undergraduate and graduate degrees opened doors in his career.

“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have that. I wouldn’t be in a position to do the work I’m doing if I hadn’t learned about the world and learned some things that you can only get, I fundamentally believe, you can only get through pursuit of a degree,” he said.

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Is College Worth It?

1. labor market and economic trends for young adults, table of contents.

• Labor force trends and economic outcomes for young adults
• Economic outcomes for young men
• Economic outcomes for young women
• Wealth trends for households headed by a young adult
• The importance of a four-year college degree
• Getting a high-paying job without a college degree
• Do Americans think their education prepared them for the workplace?
• Is college worth the cost?
• Acknowledgments
• The American Trends Panel survey methodology
• Current Population Survey methodology
• Survey of Consumer Finances methodology

A majority of the nation’s 36 million workers ages 25 to 34 have not completed a four-year college degree. In 2023, there were 19 million young workers who had some college or less education, including those who had not finished high school.

The overall number of employed young adults has grown over the decades as more young women joined the workforce. The number of employed young adults without a college degree peaked around 1990 at 25 million and then started to fall, as more young people began finishing college .

This chapter looks at the following key labor market and economic trends separately for young men and young women by their level of education:

Labor force participation

• Individual earnings

Household income

• Net worth 1

When looking at how young adults are doing in the job market, it generally makes the most sense to analyze men and women separately. They tend to work in different occupations and have different career patterns, and their educational paths have diverged in recent decades.

In 1970, almost all young men whose highest educational attainment was a high school diploma (98%) were in the labor force, meaning they were working or looking for work. By 2013, only 88% of high school-educated young men were in the labor force. Today, that share is 87%.

Similarly, 96% of young men whose highest attainment was some college education were in the labor force in 1970. Today, the share is 89%.

By comparison, labor force participation among young men with at least a bachelor’s degree has remained relatively stable these past few decades. Today, 94% of young men with at least a bachelor’s degree are in the labor force.

The long-running decline in the labor force participation of young men without a bachelor’s degree may be due to several factors, including declining wages , the types of jobs available to this group becoming less desirable, rising incarceration rates and the opioid epidemic . 2

Looking at labor force and earnings trends over the past several decades, it’s important to keep in mind broader forces shaping the national job market.

The Great Recession officially ended in June 2009, but the national job market recovered slowly . At the beginning of the Great Recession in the fourth quarter of 2007, the national unemployment rate was 4.6%. Unemployment peaked at 10.4% in the first quarter of 2010. It was not until the fourth quarter of 2016 that unemployment finally returned to its prerecession level (4.5%).

Studies suggest that things started to look up for less-skilled workers around 2014. Among men with less education, hourly earnings began rising in 2014 after a decade of stagnation. Wage growth for low-wage workers also picked up in 2014. The tightening labor markets in the last five years of the expansion after the Great Recession improved the labor market prospects of “vulnerable workers” considerably.

The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the tight labor market, but the COVID-19 recession and recovery were quite different from the Great Recession in their job market impact. The more recent recession was arguably more severe, as the national unemployment rate reached 12.9% in the second quarter of 2020. But it was short – officially lasting two months, compared with the 18-month Great Recession – and the labor market bounced back much quicker. Unemployment was 3.3% before the COVID-19 recession; three years later, unemployment had once again returned to that level.

Full-time, full-year employment

Since the Great Recession of 2007-09, young men without a four-year college degree have seen a significant increase in the average number of hours they work.

• Today, 77% of young workers with a high school education work full time, full year, compared with 69% in 2011.
• 83% of young workers with some college education work full time, full year, compared with 70% in 2011.

The share of young men with a college degree who work full time, year-round has remained fairly steady in recent decades – at about 80% – and hasn’t fluctuated with good or bad economic cycles.

Annual earnings

Annual earnings for young men without a college degree were on a mostly downward path from 1973 until roughly 10 years ago (with the exception of a bump in the late 1990s). 3

Earnings have been increasing modestly over the past decade for these groups.

• Young men with a high school education who are working full time, full year have median earnings of $45,000 today, up from $39,300 in 2014. (All figures are in 2022 dollars.)
• The median earnings of young men with some college education who are working full time, full year are $50,000 today, similar to their median earnings in 2014 ($49,100).

It’s important to note that median annual earnings for both groups of noncollege men remain below their 1973 levels.

Median earnings for young men with a four-year college degree have increased over the past 10 years, from $67,500 in 2014 to $77,000 today.

Unlike young men without a college degree, the earnings of college-educated young men are now above what they were in the early 1970s. The gap in median earnings between young men with and without a college degree grew significantly from the late 1970s to 2014. In 1973, the typical young man with a degree earned 23% more than his high school-educated counterpart. By 2014, it was 72% more. Today, that gap stands at 71%. 4

Household income has also trended up for young men in the past 10 years, regardless of educational attainment.

This measure takes into account the contributions of everyone in the household. For this analysis, we excluded young men who are living in their parents’ home (about 20% of 25- to 34-year-old men in 2023).

• The median household income of young men with a high school education is $75,200 today, up from $63,800 in 2014. This is slightly lower than the highpoint reached around 2019.
• The median household income of young men with some college education is $92,200 today, up from $81,100 in 2014. This is close to the 2022 peak of $93,800.

The median household income of young men with at least a bachelor’s degree has also increased from a low point of $118,700 in 2014 after the Great Recession to $145,000 today.

The gap in household income between young men with and without a college degree grew significantly between 1980 and 2014. In 1980, the median household income of young men with at least a bachelor’s degree was about 38% more than that of high school graduates. By 2014, that gap had widened to 86%.

Over the past 10 years, the income gap has fluctuated. In 2023, the typical college graduate’s household income was 93% more than that of the typical high school graduate.

The 2001 recession and Great Recession resulted in a large increase in poverty among young men without a college degree.

• In 2000, among young men living independently of their parents, 8% of those with a high school education were in poverty. Poverty peaked for this group at 17% around 2011 and has since declined to 12% in 2023.
• Among young men with some college education, poverty peaked at 12% around 2014, up from 4% in 2000. Poverty has fallen for this group since 2014 and stands at 8% as of 2023.
• Young men with a four-year college degree also experienced a slight uptick in poverty during the 2001 recession and Great Recession. In 2014, 6% of young college graduates were in poverty, up from 4% in 2000. Poverty among college graduates stands at 5% in 2023.

Labor force trends for young women are very different than for young men. There are occupational and educational differences between young women and men, and their earnings have followed different patterns.

Unlike the long-running decline for noncollege young men, young women without a college degree saw their labor force participation increase steadily from 1970 to about 1990.

By 2000, about three-quarters of young women with a high school diploma and 79% of those with some college education were in the labor force.

Labor force participation has also trended upward for college-educated young women and has consistently been higher than for those with less education.

After rising for decades, labor force participation for young women without a college degree fell during the 2001 recession and the Great Recession. Their labor force participation has increased slightly since 2014.

As of 2023, 69% of young women with a high school education were in the labor force, as were 78% of young women with some college education. Today’s level of labor force participation for young women without a college degree is slightly lower than the level seen around 2000.

The decline in labor force participation for noncollege women partly reflects the declining labor force participation for mothers with children under 18 years of age . Other research has suggested that without federal paid parental and family leave benefits for parents, some women with less education may leave the labor force after having a baby.

In contrast, labor force participation for young women with a college degree has fully recovered from the recessions of the early 2000s. Today, 87% of college-educated young women are in the labor force, the highest estimate on record.

Young women without a college degree have steadily increased their work hours over the decades. The past 10 years in particular have seen a significant increase in the share of employed noncollege women working full time, full year (with the exception of 2021).

• In 2023, 69% of employed young women with a high school education worked full time, full year, up from 56% in 2014. This share is the highest it’s ever been.
• In 2023, 65% of employed women with some college worked full time, full year, up from 58% in 2014. This is among the highest levels ever.

The trend in the share working full time, full year has been similar for young women with college degrees. By 2023, 78% of these women worked full time, full year, the highest share it’s ever been.

Unlike young men, young women without a college education did not see their earnings fall between 1970 and 2000.

The 2001 recession and Great Recession also did not significantly impact the earnings of noncollege young women. In the past 10 years, their median earnings have trended upward.

• For young women with a high school diploma, median earnings reached $36,000 in 2023, up from $30,900 in 2014.
• For those with some college, median earnings rose to $40,000 in 2023 from $37,700 in 2014.

For young women with a college degree, median earnings rose steadily from the mid-1980s until the early 2000s. By 2003, they reached $62,100, but this declined to $55,200 by 2014. In the past 10 years, the median earnings of college-educated young women have risen, reaching $65,000 in 2023.

In the mid-1980s, the typical young woman with a college degree earned about 48% more than her counterpart with a high school diploma. The pay gap among women has widened since then, and by 2014, the typical college graduate earned 79% more than the typical high school graduate. The gap has changed little over the past 10 years.

Noncollege young women living independently from their parents have experienced large household income gains over the past 10 years, measured at the median.

• In 2023, young women with a high school diploma had a median household income of $61,600, up from $48,100 in 2014.
• The pattern is similar for young women with some college education. Their median income rose to $75,200 in 2023 from $64,600 in 2014.

The median household income for young women with a four-year college degree is significantly higher than it is for their counterparts without a degree. College-educated young women have made substantial gains in the past 10 years.

The income gap between young women with and without a college degree has widened over the decades. In 1980, the median household income of young women with a college degree was 50% higher than that of high school-educated women. By 2014, the income gap had grown to 139%. Today, the household income advantage of college-educated women stands at 121% ($136,000 vs. $61,600).

Poverty trends for young women mirror those for young men, although young women are overall more likely to be in poverty than young men. The past 10 years have resulted in a steep reduction in the share of noncollege women in poverty.

• Today, 21% of young women with a high school diploma are living in poverty. This is down from 31% in 2014.
• 15% of young women with some college education live in poverty, compared with 21% in 2014.
• Young women with a college degree are consistently far less likely than either group to be living in poverty (5% in 2023).

Along with young adults’ rising incomes over the past 10 years, there’s been a substantial increase in their wealth. This part of our analysis does not look at men and women separately due to limitations in sample size.

In 2022, households headed by a young high school graduate had a median net worth of $30,700, up from $12,700 in 2013. Those headed by a young adult with some college education had a median net worth of $52,900, up from $15,700 in 2013.

The typical wealth level of households headed by a young college graduate was $120,200 in 2022, up from $46,600 in 2013.

There has not been any significant narrowing of the wealth gap between young high school graduate and young college graduate households since 2013.

Wealth increased for Americans across age groups over this period due to several factors. Many were able to save money during the pandemic lockdowns. In addition, home values increased, and the stock market surged.

• Most of the analysis in this chapter is based on the Annual Social and Economic Supplement collected by the U.S. Census Bureau. Information on net worth is based on a Federal Reserve survey, which interviews fewer households. Due to this smaller sample size, the net worth of households headed by a young adult cannot be broken out by gender and education. ↩
• Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicates that the labor force participation rate for men ages 25 to 54 has been declining since 1953. ↩
• This analysis looks at the earnings of employed adults working full time, full year. This measure of earnings is not uncommon. For example, the National Center for Education Statistics publishes a series on the annual earnings of 25- to 34-year-olds working full time, full year. ↩
• Other studies using hourly wages rather than annual earnings find that the college wage premium has narrowed. For example, researchers at the San Francisco Federal Reserve report that the college wage gap peaked in the mid-2010s but declined by just 4 percentage points to about 75% in 2022. ↩

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Half of Latinas Say Hispanic Women’s Situation Has Improved in the Past Decade and Expect More Gains

From businesses and banks to colleges and churches: americans’ views of u.s. institutions, fewer young men are in college, especially at 4-year schools, key facts about u.s. latinos with graduate degrees, private, selective colleges are most likely to use race, ethnicity as a factor in admissions decisions, most popular, report materials.

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Education Rankings by Country 2024

There is a correlation between a country's educational system quality and its economic status, with developed nations offering higher quality education.

The U.S., despite ranking high in educational system surveys, falls behind in math and science scores compared to many other countries.

Educational system adequacy varies globally, with some countries struggling due to internal conflicts, economic challenges, or underfunded programs.

While education levels vary from country to country, there is a clear correlation between the quality of a country's educational system and its general economic status and overall well-being. In general, developing nations tend to offer their citizens a higher quality of education than the least developed nations do, and fully developed nations offer the best quality of education of all. Education is clearly a vital contributor to any country's overall health.

According to the Global Partnership for Education , education is considered to be a human right and plays a crucial role in human, social, and economic development . Education promotes gender equality, fosters peace, and increases a person's chances of having more and better life and career opportunities.

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." — Nelson Mandela

The annual Best Countries Report , conducted by US News and World Report, BAV Group, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania , reserves an entire section for education. The report surveys thousands of people across 78 countries, then ranks those countries based upon the survey's responses. The education portion of the survey compiles scores from three equally-weighted attributes: a well-developed public education system, would consider attending university there, and provides top-quality education. As of 2023, the top ten countries based on education rankings are:

Countries with the Best Educational Systems - 2021 Best Countries Report*

Ironically, despite the United States having the best-surveyed education system on the globe, U.S students consistently score lower in math and science than students from many other countries. According to a Business Insider report in 2018, the U.S. ranked 38th in math scores and 24th in science. Discussions about why the United States' education rankings have fallen by international standards over the past three decades frequently point out that government spending on education has failed to keep up with inflation.

It's also worthwhile to note that while the Best Countries study is certainly respectable, other studies use different methodologies or emphasize different criteria, which often leads to different results. For example, the Global Citizens for Human Rights' annual study measures ten levels of education from early childhood enrollment rates to adult literacy. Its final 2020 rankings look a bit different:

Education Rates of Children Around the World

Most findings and ranking regarding education worldwide involve adult literacy rates and levels of education completed. However, some studies look at current students and their abilities in different subjects.

One of the most-reviewed studies regarding education around the world involved 470,000 fifteen-year-old students. Each student was administered tests in math, science, and reading similar to the SAT or ACT exams (standardized tests used for college admissions in the U.S.) These exam scores were later compiled to determine each country's average score for each of the three subjects. Based on this study, China received the highest scores , followed by Korea, Finland , Hong Kong , Singapore , Canada , New Zealand , Japan , Australia and the Netherlands .

On the down side, there are many nations whose educational systems are considered inadequate. This could be due to internal conflict, economic problems, or underfunded programs. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization's Education for All Global Monitoring Report ranks the following countries as having the world's worst educational systems:

Countries with the Lowest Adult Literacy Rates

• Education rankings are sourced from both the annual UN News Best Countries report and the nonprofit organization World Top 20

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Which country ranks first in education?

Which country ranks last in education, frequently asked questions.

• Best Countries for Education - 2023 - US News
• Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) - World Bank
• World Best Education Systems - Global Citizens for Human Rights
• UNESCO - Global Education Monitoring Reports
• World’s 10 Worst Countries for Education - Global Citizen
• International Education Database - World Top 20