Madhavi Venkatesan is an Economics professor at Northeastern University rated 4.07/5 by 576 students, with 2.97/5 difficulty and 85.0% who would take them again (TRACE + RateMyProfessors + Reddit, updated July 2026).
Madhavi Venkatesan professor reviews and ratings: 4.07/5 from 576 student reviews at Northeastern (85.0% would take again). TRACE + RateMyProfessor + Reddit.
I am graduating this semester and looking back Economics of Sustainability was not only one of my favorite courses but one that challenged me to be what I wanted the world to be and to understand the significance of economic assumptions of human behavior as incentives…Dr. Venkatesan provides the connection to dots crafted in my other courses.ECON1711 2026-02-12 22:29:09 +0000 UTC
LOVED HER, YOU WONT REGRET TAKING HER.ECON1240 2025-12-28 00:29:42 +0000 UTC
Professor Venkatesan was one of the best professors I've ever had! Her class made me question everything and actually think—not just memorize. No electronics, but trust me, the convos (weed, prostitution, homelessness…) were the most engaging I've ever had. Just a tip: she can be picky if she's not a fan, but if she likes you, you will get an A.ECON1116 2025-05-05 04:05:47 +0000 UTC
Great Professor! Adds so much to the understanding of the relevance of history and culture in the framing of present day society and economic perspectives. The class transformed how I view economics.ECON3520 2025-05-03 22:07:11 +0000 UTC
One of the best professors I had at Northeastern! She is very passionate about what she does and very smart. She is very kind, cares a lot about students, and tries to do her best so everyone succeeds. There are readings and hw every week and 3 non-cumulative exams. If you pay attention in class, all quizzes are easy. The TA is annoying, though.ECON3711 2025-04-14 19:30:24 +0000 UTC
This online course (Ecological Economics) was engaging; informative; clear in explaining new concepts; and the professor was available to speak and explain. Overall a great experience that highlights that economic literacy is a needed foundation to promoting sustainability. As the professor notes: change the goal, change the outcome!PPUA5260 2024-12-25 21:52:47 +0000 UTC
Economics of Sustainability was my favorite class at Northeastern University. From day one, it challenged my worldview about the role of economics and climate change, and the lessons continue to influence my life choices. Prof. Venkatesan is dedicated to her student's intellectual development and learning outcomes. I highly recommend the class.ECON1711 2024-04-26 15:00:02 +0000 UTC
Third class with her and would recommend if you are interested in the application economics to social situations. Homework, lectures and a lot of reading but overall good course.ECON1240 2024-04-15 10:00:03 +0000 UTC
really nice and easy course to take with her-- she does a lot of preaching though which are true but not always engagingECON1116 2024-01-12 01:37:40 +0000 UTC
Going to class was like listening to a Ted talk. The professor is passionate, and gets you to think about how economics has become our culture. Recommend if you want to exercise your thinking.ECON3711 2024-04-15 09:56:25 +0000 UTC
I had no background in economics but the online materials and professor feedback made the material accessible and applicable to my public policy focus. I learned a solid foundation and hope to take an in-person class with the professor to build on! Highly recommend the professor and course for those interested in operationalizing sustainability!PPUA5260 2024-07-14 19:03:08 +0000 UTC
She is a very passionate and invested professor in class and brings a lot to lectures. However, her lectures are extremely loosely organized, there are no slides and hardly any notes. She seems to just go on tangents. Almost a full month of the course was either not in class or over zoom.ECON1711 2023-12-05 21:40:12 +0000 UTC
Prof Venkatesan is my favorite professor EVER. Reading-intensive course, required to write a lot of papers but she did not deduct a point from all the assignments as long as you have a proper citation format. She loves to offer opportunities for students. Greatest professor ever.ECON1240 2022-09-29 20:13:49 +0000 UTC
Dr. Venkatesan is very passionate about microeconomics and her lectures are usually her going on tangents. She really only cares about making sure you know the material. She said to buy the textbook but I never purchased it and we didn't use it once. There are three exams and there's an in-class and online portion. Its a lot of writing but easy.ECON1116 2024-01-10 02:57:06 +0000 UTC
I did not know what to expect, most discussions on race deal with statistical differences. This class focused on the economic context of what creates statistical differences and highlight the relationship between beliefs and societal outcomes and how culture normalizes and legitimizes based on dominant beliefs. Good course.ECON3711 2024-03-26 16:50:35 +0000 UTC
Madhavi Venkatesan has an average rating of 4.07/5 from 576 student reviews. 85.0% of students said they would take them again.
Madhavi Venkatesan's classes have a difficulty rating of 2.97/5 based on student reviews.
Madhavi Venkatesan has taught ECON1240, ECON1711, ECON3916, ECON4997, ECON5200, ECON2316, ECON2350, ECON3520, ECON3711, PPUA5260, ECON1116, ECON4692, PPUA6502, INSH5964, ECON1916, PHIL3000, ECON1115 at Northeastern.
Data updated July 2026.