Economics

The study of economics at Rice focuses on four areas—theory, econometrics, macroeconomics, and applied economics.

We have one of the world’s foremost theorists in Hervé Moulin, whose graduate seminar is one of the department’s great strengths. Simon Grant has established a reputation as one of the top decision theorists in the world. He and other Rice economists have developed state-of-the-art game theory models that businesses and governments worldwide are using to make economic decisions. Rice economists have established a world-renowned teaching and research program in econometrics, an indispensable tool for statistical measurement. Their models provide valuable insights that facilitate informed choices on issues surrounding labor, tax systems, healthcare, energy markets, and defense. Economics faculty members also work with Rice engineers and scientists in solving environmental problems and with Rice psychologists to study risk behavior among public school students. The latter has produced a partnership between Rice and the Houston Independent School District to develop intervention programs that effectively curb substance abuse among school-age children.