Understanding real world problems

Economics

The Cornell University Department of Economics offers a unique combination of theoretical and analytical rigor, and concern for real world problems. An unusually broad range of courses gives students an understanding of the way economies operate and an insight into public issues. Currently, the department has more than 50 faculty members, 500 majors, 100 Ph.D. students, and serves over 5,000 students on campus each year.

Department of Economics News

Person sitting near a window, reading a book. There is snow outside

Your December 2024 reads

This month’s featured titles include a history Harlem by a government alum and a prof’s memoir about his education under Apartheid.

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Working moms set an example for the next generation

A girl who attends a school with classmates whose mothers work is more likely to be in the workforce when she has a child herself than a girl who grows up in local circles where most mothers stay at home, Cornell researchers have found.

Economic woes: Can Trump fix inflation?

Will President Donald Trump’s policies rectify the high prices Americans are seeing? Kaushik Basu, professor of economics at Cornell, says inflation is beyond the control of the party in power and is shaped by other actors.

Winter Session 2025 registration is now open

Online Winter Session classes run January 2–18, 2025, including course offerings from economics and archaeology in A&S.

World at a Turning Point interview

Arpit Chaturvedi Cornell MPA'18 and Larasati Eka Wardhani MPA'25 interviewed Luis Felipe López-Calva Ph.D. ‘99, global director, Poverty and Equity Global Practice, World Bank Group during The World at a Turning Point: Cornell Conference on Development Economics and Law.

World at a Turning Point interview

UNDP's Dr. Pedro Conceição speaks with the Einaudi Center during the Oct. 3–5 CRADLE conference on the state of the global economy.

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Kids don’t need to love salads to maintain healthy weight

Serving children more nutritious meals didn't reduce their taste for sweets, but promoted healthier weight over time by reducing added sugar and fat consumption, a Cornell-led study found.

Economics conference considers tech, political impacts on global economy

Economists from around the world will come to campus Oct. 3-5 to explore the changing global economy.

See more Economics news

Economics Events

Dec 19

Thursday 11:00 AM

Practice Job Talk: Meredith Welch

ILR Conference Center 225

Mar 04

Tuesday 11:40 AM

Microeconomics Workshop - Mira Frick

tbd

Mar 06

Thursday 11:40 AM

Macroeconomics Workshop - David Hemous

tbd

Mar 11

Tuesday 11:40 AM

Industrial Organization Workshop - Benjamin Leyden

tbd

Mar 11

Tuesday 11:40 AM

Microeconomics Workshop - Axel Niemeyer

tbd

Mar 18

Tuesday 11:40 AM

IO & Econometrics Workshop - Xin Yi

tbd

See all events

A commitment to diversity and inclusion

The Economics Department is committed to building an inclusive culture and positive climate for all at Cornell University, as well as the economics profession more broadly.

More about our commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Economics Links

Undergraduate Graduate Faculty Undergraduate Student Experience Workshops & Seminars Courses

World class training and research programs

Undergraduate Program

Exceptional undergraduate education

Why study at Cornell? The Economics Department is shared by both the College of Arts & Sciences and by the ILR School, and we offer a variety of services to the Cornell undergraduate community.

Graduate students at Rev Ithaca Startup Works

Graduate Program

World class economic training and development

Our Ph.D. program field faculty consists of 91 economists drawn from the Economics Department and other departments and colleges across the university, offering students many opportunities. Students can focus their doctoral research on a wide range of economics-related topics