The authors document the types of undergraduate colleges and universities attended by those who earned a doctorate in economics from an American university from 1966 through 2003. They examine relationships between type of undergraduate institution and attrition and time-to-degree in PhD programs. The total number of new economics PhDs awarded to…

Examines the trend in undergraduate economics degrees from 1991 to 2002. Finds a renewed interest in studying economics after a serious decline in the early 1990s. States that the large flagship public universities have joined this renewal. Defines the sample used as opportunistic rather than random. (JEH)

July 2001 to June 2003 may have been dismal for the Dow Jones Industrial Average (down 14 percent), but it was a bull market for economics majors (up 23 percent). The greatest increase in undergraduate economics degrees over the two-year period was at state universities (up 32 percent), in particular large flagship state universities with…

Briefly examines recent trends in undergraduate economics degrees. Discovers that despite periodic cycles, the proportion of degrees awarded has remained fairly steady. Includes statistical tables detailing the number and percentage of economics baccalaureate degrees awarded by colleges and universities. Discusses possible reasons and implications…

Attributes the nation's loss in economics majors in the early 1990s to a 24 percent decline at public universities. Indicates the latest data suggest that number of undergraduate economics degrees awarded by U.S. colleges and universities is increasing. Uses data from the National Center for Education Statistics to report findings. (JEH)

Notes the trend of declining enrollments in undergraduate economic programs in the United States and discusses its impact. Although similar enrollment drops have occurred twice since World War II, this one arrives at a time of academic budget-cutting and a "soft" market for Ph.Ds. Includes statistics and tabular data. (MJP)