UNC vs OSU (AEDE) Economics

[EconFootballer]

I have been accepted to doctoral programs at both UNC-ChapelHill and Ohio State (Dept of AEDE) . While I find both the offers tempting, I am having a hard time deciding between these two schools. I am planning to study Development and Regional/International Economics.

 

Ranking/reputation: While Department of Economics at both of these schools are close in terms of rankings(OSU slightly higher) , it is difficult to compare Applied Economics department at OSU with Department of Economics at UNC. AEDE at OSU works closely with Dept of Econ but it may not have the same reputation in the job market as the main Econ Dept. One information about AEDE ranking I found online was from national research council where they ranked the department top in Agriculture and Resource Econmics.

 

Stipened: OSU has higher stipened (24k) compared to UNC (20k 1st year. 15-16k year 2-5) with similar amount of work load as graduate assistant. 

 

Living: I have never been to either Columbus or Chapel Hill but from what I have heard Chapel Hill is a way better place to live than Columbus.

 

Attrition/Retention Rates: It is very difficult to find these numbers. However, UNC admit around 16-20 students each year and their placement records show only 9-10 students each year. Does this mean half of the students who started the program either left or were forced out to leave the program? OSU AEDE I believe admit around 14 students and they have good placement records with 9-10 students each year.

 

I have also heard that some Schools (idk if that includes UNC) admit more students and only pass 50-60 % in the prelims. All the other students are forced out of the program after first year. If this is true, Should I try to find out about this number at both UNC and OSU and give this factor a thought before deciding.

 

Please provide any information that might help me decide between these schools. Also, if you were in my shoes, what would you choose ?

[iphi]

UNC is a more fun place to live, but it will be easier to live in Columbus on that stipend (higher stipend + lower cost of living). I have no idea about the UNC area, but I am from Cbus, so I can shed more light on that. The econ department in general is very highly regarded (not sure it matters that you're not technically econ) and practically the entire state of Ohio is agriculture/farmland based, so on the very little knowledge I have about this plus what you have outlined here... I would choose OSU.

 

And that's from someone who lived in Columbus, is considering UNC for grad school (and has visited) and KNOWS that Chapel Hill is more fun!

[EconFootballer]

Thanks Iphi. I am certainly more inclined towards OSU but would love to know more about placement and esp. First year attrition in the program. If anyone else knows about these sp. Details please let me know .

[bsharpe269]

Being familiar with both the UNC and OSU areas, I would actually prefer to live in Columbus. The people around UNC tend to be the more stuck up fratty type IMO (not all of course... But many that I've met).

I can't really speak much on the placement and all but I think Columbus would be a great place to live!

[EconFootballer]

Thank you bsharpe269. Judging from your views, it is obviously cheaper to live in columbus and nicer as well. I think I will visit both places before I accept an offer.

The most important thing for me now becomes atrition rate and program choice.

If I choose OSU the downfall is that I won't be able to change my mind to let's say study international economics . UNC keeps that option open.

I also read in a blog that utudents completing PhDs at ARE (Agricultute and Resource Economics ) department have disadvantage during academic job search over traditional economics Phds. I am not sure how true is this .

If anyone has knowledge about these factors, please let me know.

[td21230]

Thank you bsharpe269. Judging from your views, it is obviously cheaper to live in columbus and nicer as well. I think I will visit both places before I accept an offer.

The most important thing for me now becomes atrition rate and program choice.

If I choose OSU the downfall is that I won't be able to change my mind to let's say study international economics . UNC keeps that option open.

I also read in a blog that utudents completing PhDs at ARE (Agricultute and Resource Economics ) department have disadvantage during academic job search over traditional economics Phds. I am not sure how true is this .

If anyone has knowledge about these factors, please let me know.

Chapel Hill is very affordable. I shared a house at under $350/month during undergrad. There is plenty of off-campus housing, and you have free bus service from adjacent Carrboro, another fun town. Please visit us!

[biochick]

I have been accepted to doctoral programs at both UNC-ChapelHill and Ohio State (Dept of AEDE) . While I find both the offers tempting, I am having a hard time deciding between these two schools. I am planning to study Development and Regional/International Economics.

 

Ranking/reputation: While Department of Economics at both of these schools are close in terms of rankings(OSU slightly higher) , it is difficult to compare Applied Economics department at OSU with Department of Economics at UNC. AEDE at OSU works closely with Dept of Econ but it may not have the same reputation in the job market as the main Econ Dept. One information about AEDE ranking I found online was from national research council where they ranked the department top in Agriculture and Resource Econmics.

 

Stipened: OSU has higher stipened (24k) compared to UNC (20k 1st year. 15-16k year 2-5) with similar amount of work load as graduate assistant. 

 

Living: I have never been to either Columbus or Chapel Hill but from what I have heard Chapel Hill is a way better place to live than Columbus.

 

Attrition/Retention Rates: It is very difficult to find these numbers. However, UNC admit around 16-20 students each year and their placement records show only 9-10 students each year. Does this mean half of the students who started the program either left or were forced out to leave the program? OSU AEDE I believe admit around 14 students and they have good placement records with 9-10 students each year.

 

I have also heard that some Schools (idk if that includes UNC) admit more students and only pass 50-60 % in the prelims. All the other students are forced out of the program after first year. If this is true, Should I try to find out about this number at both UNC and OSU and give this factor a thought before deciding.

 

Please provide any information that might help me decide between these schools. Also, if you were in my shoes, what would you choose ?

Hey! I actually go to OSU currently and am starting at UNC in the fall.

I don't know anything about these programs, but just Columbus vs Chapel Hill: go to Chapel Hill. Columbus is not a great place to live, I live there now and I do not like the area at all.

[EconFootballer]

Hey! I actually go to OSU currently and am starting at UNC in the fall.

I don't know anything about these programs, but just Columbus vs Chapel Hill: go to Chapel Hill. Columbus is not a great place to live, I live there now and I do not like the area at all.

Thank You guys .. I have decided to go to UNC.

 

I visited both places and I felt like home at UNC. Chapel Hill semms to be a  far better place to live than Columbus. I really liked the college town setting and weather is awesome there.

 

However, the main reason for my decision was based on  pure vs applied Econ. I think pure econ will suit me much better than applied econ .