PhD in Agricultural Economics (PhD)

Cornell University, founded in 1865 in Ithaca, New York, is an Ivy League research university that blends rigorous scholarship with broad public engagement. As both a privately endowed institution and New York State's statutory land-grant university, Cornell brings together liberal arts, engineering, agriculture, and professional schools to offer wide academic choice across more than twenty colleges and programs. Its historic mission emphasizes teaching, research, and service, making Cornell a global destination for students seeking depth and interdisciplinary opportunity.

Academically, Cornell is known for high-impact research across the sciences, humanities, and applied fields. With about 25,582 students and over 6,200 international learners, the campus provides extensive resources including research centers, interdisciplinary institutes, and industry partnerships that support undergraduate and graduate training. Students benefit from hands-on learning, internship networks, and faculty mentorship that often include international collaborations and community-engaged projects.

Life in Ithaca balances scenic natural spaces with a lively arts and dining scene and strong student services, from career counseling to study abroad advising. Residential options, student clubs, and entrepreneurial hubs help newcomers settle in and build professional pathways both in the United States and abroad. For international applicants seeking world-class research, wide program choice, and a community that values public service and innovation, Cornell offers a supportive and stimulating environment.

The Ph.D. in Applied Economics and Management is a research-focused degree delivered on-campus in Ithaca, New York, typically completed in ten semesters. Students engage in advanced coursework in microeconomic theory, econometrics, and applied economics, with a strong emphasis on original research. The programme prepares students for academic, government, and industry careers in specialized fields such as food and agricultural economics and environmental economics. Students work closely with faculty across the SC Johnson College of Business and complete a dissertation based on publishable research.

Focus areas include Environmental, energy, and resource economics, Food and agricultural economics, International and development economics.

The programme requires a minimum of ten semesters and includes core coursework in economics and applied research methods, followed by a mentored research paper and dissertation. Students must complete required courses and additional credits as determined by their Special Committee, with ongoing enrollment in research courses throughout the program.

Graduates pursue research-focused careers in academia, government agencies, and private industry, particularly in areas related to agricultural, environmental, and development economics.

Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation, GRE scores, and meet English language proficiency requirements. A bachelor's degree is required, though an undergraduate major in agricultural economics is not mandatory. First-year calculus and intermediate-level economics are recommended for readiness.

In Person, Full-Time, 10 Semesters. For international students, tuition is above the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 8% of applicants.