Economics at Princeton is regarded and taught as part of a liberal education, not as vocational training. A unique combination of scientific method and social concerns constitutes its main intellectual attraction. But it does provide a good background for careers in business and government, and for graduate study in economics, public policy, business, and law. We equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to understand the operation of a modern economy, to think and write clearly about economic problems and policy issues, and to analyze economic data. Our faculty has a multitude of interests, and we offer courses and research guidance over a wide range of topics.

The department ranks among the top five in the world. Our 50 full-time faculty include several joint faculty with the Woodrow Wilson School. Our alumni include Jack Bogle '51 (founder, Vanguard Funds); Alan Blinder '67 (member, President's Council of Economic Advisers 1993-4 and Vice-Chairman, Federal Reserve Board 1994-6); John Taylor '68 (Undersecretary of the Treasury 2001-5); Halbert White '72 (Professor, UC San Diego); and Jeremy Stein '83 (Professor, Harvard Business School) and Jeff Zwiebel '87 (Professor, Stanford Graduate School of Business), both winners of the Halbert White '72 Prize in Economics.