Economics

The Department of Economics strives to awaken students' passion for learning with a focus on economics. The program serves students from the Kendall College of Arts and Sciences, the Collins College of Business and the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences. Students may earn a B.S., B.A. or B.S.B.A. (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration) degree with a major in economics. Principles of Economics courses are also required of all Collins College of Business students, regardless of their major. Economics students can double major in finance, mathematics, political science, sociology or an engineering field.

Many economics alumni advance to MBA or graduate programs while others attend law school or are hired in the private, public or nonprofit sectors.

In addition to basic economics courses, students complete a series of mathematics and statistics classes before customizing their degree plan.

All TU students must complete TU's core curriculum and their college's specific course requirements. These basic economics courses include microeconomics and macroeconomics, advanced theory classes, a session in the history of economic thought and a collection of higher level economics electives such as econometrics, game theory, economic policy analysis, health economics, growth theory, environmental and resource economics, monetary economics, economic development and international economics.

Students who complete the undergraduate program will:

1. Demonstrate technical competence.
2. Develop their analytical abilities across a wide range of economic schools of thought.
3. Awaken their passion for learning with a focus on economics.

Let’s start with your grade point average (GPA). Yale admissions officers will calculate based on your high school transcript, which you’ll submit with your overall application.

Last year, the reported average high school GPA of an admitted student at Yale was a 4.19 out of 4.0, what we call a “weighted” GPA. However, unweighted GPAs are not very useful, because high schools weight GPAs differently. In truth, you need close to a 4.0 unweighted GPA to get into Yale. That means nearly straight As in every class.

Yale, like the rest of the Ivy League and most other colleges, requires either the SAT or ACT for admission. They have no preference between them, so choose the test that’s a better fit for you, thoroughly prepare for it, and plan to take it multiple times.

The average SAT and ACT composite scores for admitted students at Yale varies, as you can see in the table below. However, keep in mind that unless you fall into certain privileged categories (athletes, legacies, donors, etc.), your SAT/ACT score should be closer to the 75th percentile than the 25th percentile to ensure you’re maximizing your chances of admission.

TOEFL or IELTS is required of most applicants whose native language is not English.

If you have received (or will receive) an undergraduate degree from a college or university where English is the primary language of instruction, and if you have studied in residence at that institution for at least three years, you are exempt from the English Language Test requirement and are not required to submit the TOEFL or IELTS. 

No exemptions are made on the basis of an advanced degree (e.g. M.A./M.S. or Ph.D.) from any institution.

When you complete your application, you will answer questions about your native language and the primary language of instruction at your baccalaureate institution. If either was English, you will not be required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores when you submit your application. No separate documentation is necessary. 

Identify the program and degree you want.

Verify the application deadline for your program.

Determine what standardized tests you need to take. Register early.

Determine what standardized tests you need to take. Register early.

Complete your application.