History
Petersburg State University of Economics is the successor of two former economic universities: Petersburg State Engineering-Economic University and Petersburg State University of Economics and Finance. Both institutions pioneered higher economic education in Russia. The university traces origins to 1897 when the first economics department in Russia opened at the Polytechnic Institute, evolving into an economics and finance institute within 30 years. Petersburg State Engineering-Economic University also began in 1897 with economic courses that gained higher education status, becoming the first Russian institution providing comprehensive economic education. Higher business courses trained qualified economists in accounting, trade, industry, and banking. By 1917, these courses transformed into the Institute of Commerce and Industry. In 1926, combined education became an independent industrial department. In 1927, 79 graduates became Russia’s first engineer-economists. During World War II, both institutes evacuated but resumed operations by 1944. In 1953, merger created the Leningrad University of Planning and Economics. Significant expansion occurred during 1960-1980. In 2012, the two institutes merged into a single comprehensive university.
