27 Best Economics Doctoral Degree Programs for 2025

Wharton’s Ph.D. program in Applied Economics gives students the tools and training to get jobs in business schools, public policy programs, and applied-oriented economics departments. Drawing on a large faculty of applied economists across multiple Wharton departments and the Law School, the program allows specialization in a number of areas.

The DIW Graduate Center (GC) at the German Institute for Economic Research welcomes applications from highly qualified post-graduate students from around the world to enroll in its structured doctoral program in Economics.

Start your academic career in one of our full-time residential Ph.D. programs in Economics or Business (with specializations in Accountancy, Finance, Management, or Marketing). Our research and teaching assistantships provide you with valuable hands-on experience where you collaborate closely with faculty committed to your success.

The Ph.D. Programme on Innovation, Economics, and Governance for Development (IEGD) is a multidisciplinary course offered by UNU-MERIT and its School of Governance. The programme focuses on research skills and methods, training fellows to become both scholars and practitioners in the fields of governance and the economics of technology. The programme provides advanced training in the knowledge and skills most relevant to the economics of technology and innovation, and to governance, social protection, and migration. Built around a core of courses on innovation and development, the programme also features modules on the economics of technological change, complex social systems, governance and policy evaluation, social protection, and migration. During their first year, fellows complete an intensive programme of required and elective courses, taught by leading scholars of UNU-MERIT and our partner universities. These courses are taught in English, in Maastricht, and spread across two semesters, starting in September each year. The course work is followed by three years of dissertation research and writing, ending with a completed Ph.D. thesis. At the end of the programme, the doctoral degree is awarded by Maastricht University upon successful defense of the thesis. Our students pursue a wide variety of dissertation topics, fitting into any of the institute’s eight research themes: 1. Economics of Knowledge and Innovation 2. Structural Change and Economic Development 3. Economic Complexity and Innovation 4. Governance and institutions 5. Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Sustainability Transitions 6. Migration and Development 7. Social Protection 8. Population, Development and Labour Economics

Economics Analytics and Decision Sciences is one of the three PhD Programs offered by the IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca.

The aim of the Ph.D. in Regional Science and Economic Geography is to address issues related to local and regional development. The methodological perspective of research and teaching is multidisciplinary, combining regional and urban economics, economic and human geography, spatial planning, and sociology.

Ph.D. students complete an independent research project under the guidance of a supervisory team. The research is normally completed over a maximum period of 3 to 3.5 years (full-time) or 6 to 6.5 years (part-time).

The Ph.D. program in Economics at SMU is the oldest Ph.D. program at the University and has a long track record of providing students with rigorous training in a broad range of fundamental methodologies for conducting economic research. The program is relatively small which allows for an open and friendly environment, and a low student-faculty ratio. Few programs can match the careful supervision, faculty contact time, and individualized mentoring that our Ph.D. students receive.

The PhD Program in Development Economics and Local Systems (DELoS) is a new doctoral program launched in academic year 2020-21 by the University of Florence focusing on development economics and local development. For contents and organization, please visit the Program webpages.

This PhD program is jointly run by the Universities of Trento and the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano. This 4-year full-time Ph.D. program is jointly run by the Universities of Trento and the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano and includes one year of core courses as well as individualized training depending on the specific research interests and objectives of the Ph.D. student as recommended by the supervisor.

The PhD is a programme of independent, self-directed academic research degree, supported by a team of supervisors that makes an original contribution to knowledge written up in a publishable dissertation. The PhD programme also supports the development of research and generic skills to equip you to operate successfully as a professional researcher in any setting.

The bachelor's degree in foreign trade and tourism combines theory and practice to prepare students to manage the global dynamics of trade and the tourism sector. Through courses in economics, international marketing, foreign languages, and tourism management, students acquire crucial skills to work in international companies, travel agencies, and tourism institutions, opening career opportunities in both international trade and the hospitality and tourism sector.

A bachelor's degree in digital management equips students with skills in navigating and optimizing digital platforms and strategies. It integrates business fundamentals with cutting-edge digital technologies, preparing graduates for careers in digital marketing, e-commerce, analytics, and project management. This program emphasizes understanding digital trends, consumer behavior online, and effective digital communication strategies, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to drive business growth and innovation in the digital age.

The bachelor's degree in business administration provides a solid foundation in business management, economics, finance, and accounting. Students acquire skills in planning, analyzing, and managing financial, human, and material resources within organizations. This educational path prepares students for careers in areas such as business consulting, human resource management, financial analysis, and strategic development, facilitating their entry into various economic and business sectors with a strong base of practical and theoretical knowledge.

The bachelor's degree in economics and commerce combines studies in economics, business management, accounting, and finance to prepare students for key roles in the business world. It provides skills in planning, analyzing, and managing financial and human resources, as well as developing marketing strategies and business management. This educational path opens doors to careers in areas such as business consulting, financial analysis, human resource management, and entrepreneurship, offering a solid foundation for professional success in the commercial and business sector.

A bachelor's degree in hospitality innovation and e-tourism focuses on blending traditional hospitality management with modern digital strategies. It equips students with skills in customer service, tourism trends, digital marketing, and e-commerce. Graduates are prepared for careers in hotel management, tourism agencies, and digital travel platforms, where they can innovate and leverage technology to enhance guest experiences and drive business growth in the dynamic hospitality industry.

The PhD in Economics and Finance offers advanced training in economic and financial research. Students delve into topics such as macroeconomics, microeconomics, financial markets, and risk theory. The program emphasizes the development of skills to analyze and solve complex economic and financial problems, culminating in an original thesis that makes a significant contribution to the academic literature, preparing them for high-level academic, research, or professional roles.

This programme gives the candidate the opportunity to pursue an in-depth study of both finance and economics. Finance is a conceptual framework that combines corporate finance, investment and financial institutions, showing how companies should be managed in order to increase wealth.

The Ph.D. in Economics degree program provides cutting-edge education in economic theories and the development of a rigorous toolkit of mathematical and econometric techniques. The program is particularly strong in the areas of public economics, applied microeconomics, macroeconomics, data analysis, and the economics of conflict.

Our nationally recognized, interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Public Policy and Political Economy degree program offers training opportunities for doctoral students from internationally renowned faculty. The mission of the program is to prepare our students for professional positions in research, teaching, and practice in fields related to public policy and political economy, in both academic and nonacademic settings.