Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What you'll study

This programme builds a solid foundation in core economics and quantitative methods, then applies those skills to environmental and resource problems. Students take core courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics alongside specialised modules in environmental economics, public economics and resource economics.

• Core economics and quantitative methods: introductory and intermediate microeconomics and macroeconomics, applied econometrics, probability and statistics, and mathematical methods for economists.
• Environmental specialisation: courses on environmental and resource economics, climate economics and policy, energy economics, valuation of environmental goods, and cost–benefit analysis for environmental projects.
• Interdisciplinary and applied options: classes and labs drawing on engineering, atmospheric science and public policy such as energy systems, environmental modelling, and economics of technology adoption.
• Research and capstone: opportunities for supervised research projects, independent study with faculty in the Department of Economics, and capstone or thesis work that often partners with research centres such as the MIT Energy Initiative or the Environmental Solutions Initiative.
• Practical experience: internships, fieldwork and project-based courses that emphasise data analysis, policy evaluation and stakeholder engagement. Programming and data-management skills (for example in Python, R, or Stata) are integrated into applied coursework.

Entry requirements

Admission to MIT is highly competitive and evaluated holistically. Successful applicants for this programme typically demonstrate strong achievement in mathematics and quantitative subjects, evidence of academic excellence in high school or international equivalents, and a clear interest in economics or environmental issues.

• Academic preparation: rigorous secondary-school curriculum with advanced study in mathematics (including calculus where available), natural sciences and economics or social sciences if offered.
• Standard application materials: academic transcripts, teacher recommendations, personal essays and evidence of extracurricular engagement. Applicants from international systems should present the appropriate national qualifications or international curricula (for example A-levels, IB, or equivalent).
• Quantitative readiness: prior coursework in calculus and statistics is strongly recommended; programming or data-analysis experience is advantageous.
• Personal qualities: demonstrated intellectual curiosity, capacity for independent research, and commitment to addressing environmental and policy challenges through analytical work.

Career prospects

Graduates with this combination of economics and environmental training are prepared for a wide range of roles. Many pursue careers that use quantitative analysis to shape environmental and energy policy, manage natural resources, or evaluate climate-related investments.

• Public sector and policy: analyst positions in government agencies, central banks working on climate-related financial risks, and international organisations engaged in environmental policy and regulation.
• Private sector and consulting: roles in economic consulting, environmental and energy consultancies, utilities and firms assessing environmental impacts, carbon markets and corporate sustainability teams.
• Research and academia: continuation to graduate study (master’s or PhD) in economics, environmental economics, public policy, or energy systems, leading to careers in research institutions and universities.
• Non-governmental organisations and think tanks: policy analysts and programme managers working on conservation, climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, or environmental finance.
• Data and analytics: positions as data analysts or modelers applying econometric and computational skills to environmental datasets and decision-support tools.

Why study at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT offers a distinctive environment for studying environmental economics thanks to its strong emphasis on quantitative training and interdisciplinary collaboration. The Department of Economics provides rigorous theoretical and empirical instruction, while campus-wide initiatives and centres connect economics students with engineering, earth sciences and policy research.

• Interdisciplinary research centres: access to initiatives and centres focused on energy, climate and environmental solutions provides opportunities for collaborative projects and applied research.
• Quantitative and technical strength: the Institute’s strengths in mathematics, statistics, data science and engineering complement economics coursework and prepare students to handle complex environmental datasets and models.
• Practical opportunities: frequent opportunities for internships, industry collaboration and hands-on projects that bridge academic research and real-world policy or business challenges.
• Faculty and network: faculty active in environmental and resource economics and a global alumni network that supports career placement in government, industry, NGOs and academia.