PhD Agricultural & Applied Economics at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Programme overview

A research-oriented PhD preparing graduates for higher education, government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and research or management roles in the private sector.

Faculty: College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences | Department: Agricultural and Consumer Economics | Duration: 96 credit hours from a bachelor's degree; 64 credit hours from a master's degree | Intake: Fall (preferred) or spring | Study mode: full-time | Location: Champaign, IL, United States

What you will study

Coursework in theory, quantitative methods and a chosen specialization (agricultural finance, environmental and natural resource economics, family and consumer economics, farm and agribusiness management, international and policy economics, price analysis and agricultural marketing, regional economics and public policy), a written core exam, a second-year research paper, an oral preliminary exam with dissertation proposal, and a dissertation defense.

Career pathways

Higher education, government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and private-sector research and management.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Minimum 3.0 GPA (A = 4.0) over the last two years of undergraduate coursework and any graduate work. GRE General Test scores required of all applicants. Writing sample required. Applicants with a bachelor's may apply directly if sufficiently prepared; applicants with weak theory or quantitative preparation may need additional coursework. Non-native English speakers must meet Graduate College English requirements. Students may start in either semester; fall preferred.

Domestic applicants: USD 14,908 a year (2026-27). Illinois resident rate. Tuition only for new and continuing graduate students, Fall 2026-Spring 2027 at full-time (12 credit hours per term). Non-Illinois U.S. resident tuition for this programme: $32,204. Excludes campus and mandatory fees, health insura Source

International applicants: USD 32,204 a year (2026-27). International rate. Tuition only for new and continuing graduate students, Fall 2026-Spring 2027 at full-time (12 credit hours per term). Excludes campus and mandatory fees, health insurance, housing and other expenses as the source states them separately Source

Not all graduate programmes offer admission in all terms; term availability is set by each programme of study.

Graduate applicants apply online through the Graduate College application; deadlines and term availability are set by each programme. Medicine, law and veterinary medicine applicants apply directly to their colleges.

Apply through the official page: https://grad.illinois.edu/admissions/apply

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