FSU Economics: 7 Reasons Why Florida State University's Economics Program Is Skyrocketing In 2025
The Florida State University (FSU) Department of Economics is currently experiencing a significant upward trajectory, solidifying its position as one of the nation's premier institutions for economic study. As of December 2025, the department is not just maintaining its reputation but actively enhancing it through new faculty appointments, impressive national rankings, and highly specialized graduate programs that directly address modern career demands.
For prospective students and researchers, FSU’s commitment to both rigorous theoretical foundations and practical, applied economics makes it a compelling choice. The department, housed within the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, is a powerhouse of scholarly activity, preparing the next generation of analysts, policymakers, and academics.
The Latest FSU Economics Department Rankings and Accolades (2025 Update)
The FSU Economics department has received significant recognition in the latest academic rankings, highlighting its growing influence in the field. These accolades reflect the quality of research output, the strength of the faculty, and the success of its graduates.
- Top 25% US Economics Departments: According to RePEc (Research Papers in Economics), the Department of Economics at Florida State University is ranked within the top 25% of all US Economics Departments as of November 2025. This is a strong indicator of the department's research productivity and global visibility.
- Top 2 in Florida: EduRank’s 2025 rankings place Florida State University at #2 for Economics colleges in the state of Florida, just behind the University of Florida.
- Global Subject Rankings: In the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) rankings, FSU’s Business and Economics subject area was positioned in the 301–400 range globally, underscoring its international standing.
These rankings confirm that FSU is a major player in economic education, offering a high-value degree that is recognized both nationally and internationally. The department's focus on diverse fields of specialization, including Public Finance, Industrial Organization, and Econometrics, contributes to its high standing.
The Master's in Applied Economics (MAEP): Your One-Year Career Accelerator
One of the most unique and career-focused offerings at FSU is the Master's of Science in Applied Economics Program (MAEP). This is a terminal master's degree designed to fast-track students into high-demand professional roles in government, consulting, and the private sector.
What Makes the MAEP Program Stand Out?
The MAEP is structured to be intense, practical, and highly effective for career placement. Here are the key features:
- One-Year, 30-Credit Hour Program: The MAEP is a streamlined, one-year program that runs from FSU's fall semester (August) through the end of the following summer. This accelerated schedule allows students to enter the job market much faster than traditional two-year programs.
- Cohort Model: Students are cohorted, meaning they start and progress through the curriculum together. This fosters a strong sense of community and collaborative learning.
- National Recognition: The MAEP program has recently joined the prestigious National Association of Applied Economics Professionals, a testament to its quality and relevance in the field of Applied Economics Careers.
- Career Focus: The curriculum is specifically designed to equip students with the analytical and quantitative skills needed for careers in government and the private sector, focusing on real-world economic problem-solving.
The success of the MAEP is a clear signal of the department's dedication to producing graduates who are immediately ready to contribute to the workforce, making it a powerful alternative to a traditional MBA for those interested in economic analysis.
Faculty Excellence and Cutting-Edge Research
A department's strength is often measured by its faculty, and FSU Economics continues to attract top talent and produce influential scholarship. The faculty's diverse research interests ensure that students are exposed to the forefront of economic thought.
Key Faculty and Research Highlights
- New Eminent Scholar: The department recently welcomed Anthony Kwasnica, Ph.D., to the faculty as the new Rod and Hope Brim Eminent Scholar. This appointment signals a continued investment in high-level faculty expertise.
- Distinguished Professors: The department features named professors such as Randall G. Holcombe, who holds the DeVoe Moore Professorship of Economics. These distinguished positions highlight long-standing contributions to the discipline.
- Influential Scholarship: FSU faculty are actively publishing in top journals and working papers. For example, faculty members Taylor Jaworski, Carl Kitchens, and Sergey Nigai have contributed to influential research, including a paper on "Highways and Globalization" published as an NBER Working Paper.
- Fields of Specialization: The faculty's research covers a broad spectrum, including Public Economics, Economic History, Experimental Economics, and Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory, providing a rich environment for both PhD and undergraduate students.
This active research environment means that students are learning from scholars who are shaping the current understanding of the global economy, directly integrating the latest findings into the classroom.
Undergraduate and PhD Program Deep Dive
Beyond the MAEP, FSU offers robust programs for both undergraduate and doctoral students, each designed for academic rigor and professional success.
Undergraduate Economics Major Requirements
The undergraduate program offers both a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Economics. The core curriculum is designed to provide a strong foundation in economic principles and quantitative methods.
- Core Coursework: All majors must complete 12 credit hours of core courses, including ECO 3101 (Intermediate Microeconomic Theory) and ECO 3203 (Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory).
- Academic Standards: A crucial requirement is that students must earn a grade of 'C minus' or higher in all upper-level economics courses and supporting courses that count toward the major.
- Preparation for Graduate Study: The B.S. track is particularly suited for students who plan to pursue an FSU economics PhD or other doctoral programs, focusing heavily on mathematics and statistics.
The Economics PhD Program
The doctoral program at FSU is a research-intensive degree that prepares students for careers in academia, high-level government positions, and the private sector. The program emphasizes rigorous training in economic theory and econometrics, allowing students to develop specialized expertise through dissertations and research projects.
The strong faculty research focus, combined with the comprehensive curriculum, ensures that FSU graduate studies in economics are highly competitive and yield successful outcomes for their graduates.
Why Choose FSU Economics in Tallahassee?
Choosing to study economics at FSU means benefiting from its academic strength and the unique advantages of its location in Tallahassee, the state capital of Florida.
The proximity to state government agencies, think tanks, and policy centers provides unparalleled opportunities for internships, networking, and real-world application of economic principles. This is particularly beneficial for students in the MAEP program seeking Applied Economics Careers in public policy and analysis.
From the cutting-edge research highlighted in NBER Working Papers to the practical, one-year MAEP program, the Florida State University Department of Economics is clearly on an upward trajectory. Its continuous investment in top-tier faculty and specialized programs makes it a top choice for anyone looking to master the complexities of the modern economy in 2025 and beyond.
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