Change the world from here -- with data! Be part of the Economics department.

The Economics Department at the University of San Francisco offers students an opportunity to live and learn in the financial capital of the west coast and the technology capital of the world. 

Set in the beautiful and buzzing San Francisco Bay Area, our programs pair distinguished, internationally recognized faculty and small classes with real-world opportunities. Here, you can participate in faculty research, visit leading economic institutions, hear world-renowned speakers, and intern at organizations like the Federal Reserve Bank and Google. Far more than finance, banking, business, or government, economics opens doors to countless career paths — learn why in this video from the American Economic Association.

Departmental Updates | Fall 2026 

Professor Lorentzen Accepts Role of Department Chair

We are pleased to welcome Professor Peter Lorentzen as our new department chair. Throughout his time at USF, Professor Lorentzen has demonstrated exceptional leadership, scholarship, and dedication to student success. He founded the Master of Science in Applied Economics program and also leads the Master of Science in International and Development Economics program. Professor Lorentzen is widely recognized for his research on information, institutions, incentives, and governance in China and other emerging markets.

As Professor Peter Lorentzen begins this new role, we extend our sincere gratitude for his continued service and commitment to the department!

IDEC Students Represent at PacDev 2026

IDEC students represented at PacDev 2026, the West Coast's largest annual conference on development economics, hosted by the Center for Effective Global Action at the University of California, Davis. From innovative research presentations to conversations with leading scholars and practitioners, our students dove into the heart of development economics — exploring everything from empirical methods to real-world policy interventions. 
 

Professor Jesse Anttila-Hughes Leads Research Connecting Economists and Physicists

MSAE students Ryan Yick and Jose Gonzalez joined Professor Jesse Anttila-Hughes in an interdisciplinary research collaboration. They collaborated with physicists at the University of Waterloo's Institute for Quantum Computing. The project highlights the versatility of economics and quantitative methods in addressing complex research questions across disciplines.

Our department is excited to see students and faculty engaging in innovative and collaborative research. We look forward to sharing future developments from this promising partnership!

Professor Peter Lorentzen Models USF's Value of International CollaboratioN

Professor Peter Lorentzen recently travelled to China to strengthen key institutional partnerships and connect with admitted students. He also gave a public lecture in Beijing focused on the economics of e-commerce platforms, sparking engaging discussions on digital markets and the global economy. 

CONGRATS to Professor Arman Khachiyan on His Recent Publication

Professor Arman Khachiyan celebrated a significant research milestone with the publication of his paper, "Fracking Ghost Towns: How Neighborhood Exposure Drives Population Decline," in the Journal of Urban Economics. The study examines how proximity to hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") operations influences neighborhood population changes across the United States. Using innovative neighborhood-level data and satellite imagery, his research finds that communities located closest to fracking activity experience measurable population decline, challenging the conventional view that fracking creates lasting local economic "boom towns."

The publication highlights Professor Khachiyan's continued contributions to urban, environmental, and applied economics and reflects the department's commitment to impactful, policy-relevant research.