Top UC Schools for Economics?

Hi! I'm prepping for college applications and highly interested in economics. Can anyone shed some light on which of the UC schools have the strongest economics programs and why?

Sure, happy to share some information on the strength of economics programs across several University of California (UC) schools. Although all UC schools offer respectable programs, a few stand a bit higher due to their comprehensive curriculum, distinguished faculty, and resources available for undergraduates.

1. UC Berkeley: UC Berkeley's economics program is one of the most renowned in the world. This is due to a combination of outstanding faculty, rigorous and diverse course offerings, and access to research opportunities. Students also benefit from being close to San Francisco, a financial hub which can provide internships and career opportunities in economics related fields.

2. UCLA: UCLA's economics program is very popular and highly ranked, with a strong faculty base. They offer separate Economics and Business Economics majors. The Business Economics major is more competitive and requires students to apply after completing certain prerequisites with a high GPA. It's a strong choice for students interested in a more applied focus or are considering a career in business.

3. UC San Diego: The school's curriculum is praised for being thorough, particularly in the areas of theoretical and empirical economics. UCSD also offers the opportunity to combine your economics degree with mathematics for a more quantitative focus.

Remember that the best economics program for you may not necessarily be the highest ranked. When evaluating these schools, consider the specific areas of economics you're interested in, whether you want access to internships or research opportunities, class sizes, and the overall campus culture.