A joint major, chosen by the end of sophomore year
Yale says every student begins undeclared and has until the end of sophomore year to choose from over 80 majors.
Undergraduate · Yale College
Yale Computer Science and Economics: a joint major, entered after arrival
Yale College admits students without a declared major, and Computer Science and Economics is one of four joint majors run by the Department of Computer Science with other departments. Yale's department describes it as foundational economics, computation and data analysis, with hands-on empirical work on economic data and overlap topics such as market design, computational finance and machine learning. For an A-level or IB applicant, the questions are what this joint major is, how it differs from either subject alone, and what Yale requires of every applicant. This guide claims no direct admission to the joint major.
Official information · read 31 October 2026, no entry-year label
What Yale says about Yale Computer Science and Economics
Taken from Yale Undergraduate Admissions' Majors, Standardized Testing and International pages and the Department of Computer Science's undergraduate page, 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 Yale's pages for the 2028-entry details.
Foundations in economics, computation and data
The department describes the joint major as combining the three, with hands-on empirical analysis of economic data.
Where the two fields overlap
Topics named include market design, computational finance, economics of online platforms, machine learning and social media.
Fewer required courses than elsewhere
The department says the total number of required courses is somewhat lower than at other schools, leaving room for other subjects.
The SAT or ACT is required
Yale's testing policy requires scores from either test; international applicants meet the same requirements.
Official sources
- Yale Undergraduate Admissions: Majors & Academic Programsadmissions.yale.edu
- Yale Engineering: Computer Science Undergraduate Studyengineering.yale.edu
- Yale Undergraduate Admissions: Standardized Testingadmissions.yale.edu
Read on 31 October 2026 on Yale Undergraduate Admissions' Majors, Standardized Testing and International pages and the Department of Computer Science's undergraduate page, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. Yale's course catalogue, the Computer Science and Economics requirement pages, the Economics department pages, deadlines and financial aid were not read, and the pages do not mention A-levels or the IB by name and are not stated.
The joint major
What the department says it combines
The Department of Computer Science lists Computer Science & Economics among four joint majors, alongside Mathematics, Psychology and Electrical Engineering. It describes the economics version as preparing students for careers that use both fields and for academic research in their overlap. The department also says its programmes leave room for other subjects: the total number of required courses is somewhat lower than at other schools, and some students complete a second major. The page read does not list the courses, so this guide names none.
Is it the right major?
Joint major, single major or a second major
Yale describes these separately, so the choice comes after admission. Avandy's comparison is general.
The joint major fits if
you want economics and computation designed together, including empirical work with economic data.
Computer Science plus a second major fits if
you want a standard computer science major and to add Economics, as the department says some students do.
A UK single-subject degree fits if
you already know which of the two you want to specialise in; UK courses admit you to the subject, Yale admits you to the College.
Testing and qualifications
SAT or ACT required; A-levels and the IB are not named
Yale requires first-year applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores and has no preference between them. International applicants complete the same application with the same requirements. The pages read do not mention A-levels or the IB by name, and this guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Yale's.
Does the overlap interest you?
Market design, computational finance and machine learning are the department's examples.
Are you comfortable choosing the major later?
Yale students are undeclared until the end of sophomore year.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT?
Yale requires one of them for first-year applicants.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Yale'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 Yale'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. Yale 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 Yale for the values that apply to your application year.
What to do now
Read the department's joint-major description 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 Yale College 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 Yale College. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Can I apply directly to Yale Computer Science and Economics?
The pages read describe admission to Yale College. Students begin undeclared and choose a major by the end of sophomore year.
Which joint majors does Computer Science offer?
The department lists Economics, Mathematics, Psychology and Electrical Engineering among its joint majors, with others in computing and linguistics or the arts.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
Yes. Yale's testing policy requires scores from either test.
Do international applicants have different requirements?
Yale says they complete the same application and fulfil the same requirements as other applicants.
Does Yale name A-levels or the IB on these pages?
No. The pages read do not mention them by name.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Yale's wording with no entry-year label. Check Yale's pages again when Yale publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Yale Computer Science and Economics
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their mathematics, how they weigh economics against computing 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.