WELCOME TO APPLIED ECONOMICS AND STATISTICS

 

Applied Economics and Statistics is at the center of finding solutions through the study of human behavior and data analytics, applied to the environment and natural resources, food systems, sports performance, and a multitude of other contexts. 

Our mission is to cultivate learning and develop and share knowledge that benefits society. Our focus is to advance economics and statistics methods and theories, and apply them to various subjects, such as health, agriculture, natural resources, the environment, and data science.

We do cutting-edge theoretical and applied research, while providing each of students the opportunity for mentorship, skill-development, and personal growth towards a successful career. 

Our undergraduate programs

Applied Economics and Statistics | College of Agriculture & Natural Resources | University of Delaware
Applied Economics and Statistics | College of Agriculture & Natural Resources | University of Delaware
Applied Economics and Statistics | College of Agriculture & Natural Resources | University of Delaware

Our graduate programs

Applied Economics and Statistics | College of Agriculture & Natural Resources | University of Delaware

What's new?

Featured video

 

With a University of Delaware degree in sports performance analytics, you can thrive in professional and college sports, sports media companies, and wearable technology companies among others. From proper data collection to interpreting and communicating statistics to decision makers in real time, you will learn the theoretical and practical sides of sports statistics as well as through well-established opportunities with UD Athletics.

Major in Sports Performance Analytics at the University of Delaware: youtube.com/watch?v=w8iZJNvAyKE

Faculty Spotlight

Leah Palm-Forster
Associate Professor of Applied Economics
 

Dr. Palm-Forster is the director of the Center for Experimental and Applied Economics, which explores a wide variety of economic and consumer behaviors. Major research focuses on land conservation and ecosystem service markets, water quality monitoring, behavioral response to risk, food safety and agricultural policy, and provision of public goods.

Latest news

  • Lee Aiken, DNREC climate policy planner and UD Class of 2018 alumna, helps a family to learn more about climate risks while playing

    Delaware's climate plan has strong UD connections

    August 14, 2026 | Written by Molly Schafer | Photos courtesy of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
    Earlier this year, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) released the 2025 Delaware Climate Action Plan, a sweeping plan to protect the state’s homes, infrastructure and economy. The plan also addresses public health concerns and the conservation of Delaware’s unique natural environment. More than 20 UD alumni — including hydrologists, engineers, environmental scientists, transportation policy specialists and state planners — played active roles in its development and implementation.
  • Favorable outcomes

    May 18, 2026 | Article by Molly Schafer | Photos courtesy of Wanning Wang
    Statistics major Wanning Wang has a high probability of success. The Department of Applied Economics and Statistics senior takes advantage of everything the University of Delaware has to offer. She works as a research assistant on campus, has minors in business administration and business analytics, and regularly networks with industry professionals through UD’s Job Shadow Program.
  • Classroom to cornfield

    May 13, 2026 | Article by Katie Peikes | Photos by Kathy F. Atkinson
    With nearly 80,000 jobs and billions of dollars in economic impact, agriculture and food are Delaware’s No. 1 industry. The University of Delaware is at the forefront of preparing students for those jobs through the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. In mid-April, students got exposure to all things agriculture and natural resources through former Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee, who took them around to learn about a handful of local farms.
  • Shared success

    May 07, 2026 | Written by Molly Schafer
    Six University of Delaware students continue a nearly 40-year UD tradition of competing in the Student Marketing Competition at the National Agri-Marketing Association annual Agri-Marketing Conference. While her food and agribusiness marketing students represented UD, Prof. Kelly Davidson received a national advising award.

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