Apply to the university, declare later
Princeton says students apply to the university, not to departments, and A.B. students choose a major in the spring of sophomore year.
Undergraduate · Princeton
Princeton Economics: a major you declare after you arrive
Princeton does not admit students to the Economics department: students apply to the university and A.B. students choose a major in the spring of sophomore year. The department requires three core courses (Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Econometrics, each in two mathematical versions), five electives, Junior Independent Work, a Senior Thesis and a Senior Comprehensive Exam. For an A-level or IB applicant, the questions are how the major is reached, how mathematical preparation affects the core and what Princeton requires, including the SAT or ACT. This guide claims no direct admission to Economics.
Official information · read 31 October 2026, no entry-year label
What Princeton says about Princeton Economics
Taken from Princeton Admission's Academics, Standardized Testing and International Students pages and the Department of Economics' undergraduate program pages, read on 31 October 2026. The pages carry no entry-year label, so for a 2028-entry application every statement below is evidence for the previous cycle and may change; check Princeton's pages for the 2028-entry details.
Eight departmental courses
Three core courses and five electives, passed on a graded basis, with up to two cognates from other departments.
Two mathematical versions of each core course
Each core course comes in a version for different levels of mathematical preparation.
Independent work and a thesis
Junior Independent Work, a Senior Thesis and a Senior Comprehensive Exam are required.
SAT or ACT required
Princeton says it will return to requiring standardized testing and that first-year applicants will need to submit either SAT or ACT scores.
Official sources
- Princeton Admission: Academicsadmission.princeton.edu
- Princeton Department of Economics: Undergraduate Program (concentration requirements, course selection, independent work)economics.princeton.edu
- Princeton Admission: Standardized Testingadmission.princeton.edu
Read on 31 October 2026 on Princeton Admission's Academics, Standardized Testing and International Students pages and the Department of Economics' undergraduate program pages, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. Princeton's Undergraduate Announcement, the full cognate and elective lists, the Junior Paper and thesis handbooks, deadlines and financial aid were not read and are not stated.
The major
What the department says the major asks
The department requires eight graded departmental courses: core Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Econometrics, each offered in two versions depending on mathematical preparation, and five electives, up to two of which can be cognates from other departments. Beyond that come Junior Independent Work (ECO 396 and 398), the Senior Thesis (ECO 498 and 499) and a Senior Comprehensive Exam taken as an oral defence of the thesis. This guide did not read the cognate or elective lists.
Is it the right major?
Economics, ORFE or the School of Public and International Affairs
Princeton describes each as separate, so the choice is made after admission. Avandy's comparison is general.
Economics fits if
you want economic theory, econometrics and a thesis in economics.
ORFE fits if
you want a quantitative engineering route. Avandy's Princeton ORFE guide covers it.
SPIA fits if
you want a policy-facing multidisciplinary major. Avandy's Princeton SPIA guide covers it.
Admission and testing
SAT or ACT, and your school record
Princeton says it will return to requiring standardized testing and that first-year applicants will need to submit either SAT or ACT scores. For international applicants, the academic record should include internal grades and achieved marks from external exams, for example British A-Level or the International Baccalaureate, with predicted or achieved results sent by the school official. This guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Princeton's.
How strong is your mathematics?
The core courses have more and less mathematical versions.
Do you want to write a thesis?
Every economics major writes one.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT with your A levels or IB?
Princeton says one is needed.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Princeton's pages carry no entry-year label, so nothing on them is confirmed for 2028 entry. Use them to understand the structure of the application, then check Princeton's own pages for the 2028-entry details.
The requirements and descriptions on the pages read on 31 October 2026, which carry no entry-year label
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Princeton has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Deadlines, fees, financial aid and any department prerequisites not quoted here: not stated
This guide has not read them. Check Princeton for the values that apply to your application year.
What to do now
Read the department's requirements page and plan the SAT or ACT.
Support
Independent support with planning your own application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Princeton University or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here is limited to understanding the requirements and planning the applicant's own work; Avandy does not write or edit essays, does not submit any materials and has no partnership with Princeton University. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Can I apply directly to Princeton Economics?
No. Princeton says students apply to the university, not to individual departments, programs or schools.
How many courses does the major need?
Eight graded departmental courses: three core and five electives, plus independent work and a thesis.
Is there a thesis?
Yes. All Economics majors must write a Senior Thesis, defended orally in the Senior Comprehensive Exam.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
Princeton says it will return to requiring standardized testing and first-year applicants will need to submit either SAT or ACT scores.
How should an A-level or IB student present results?
Princeton says the academic record should include internal grades and marks from external exams such as British A-Level or the IB.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Princeton's wording with no entry-year label. Check Princeton's pages again when Princeton publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Princeton Economics
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their mathematics, which core versions they would take and their SAT or ACT plan, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.