What is Economics?

Economics is the study of human behavior in the presence of limited resources. Through studying economics, students learn a way of thinking about the world that opens up multiple career opportunities in academics, business, consulting, government, and many more! A degree in economics also opens up multiple post-graduate opportunities such as a law degree, MBA, or PhD.

Potential Careers

  • Potential Careers
  • Actuary
  • Budget Analyst
  • Business Journalist
  • Economic Consultant
  • Economics Professor
  • Environmental Economist
  • Foreign Service Economics Officer
  • Healthcare Analytics Specialist
  • Lawyer
  • Market Research Analysis
  • Operations Research Analysis
  • Policy Analyst
  • Research Associate
  • Securities Trader
  • Statistician

Prospective Students

Thank you for your interest in the economics major. We offer two economics degree paths that can lead to rewarding careers in several different fields and industries. The economics faculty are committed to providing students with high-quality training in economics. Students will not only learn basic economic principles, but will also learn how to use the tools of economics to analyze important real-world issues.

For more information about our courses and curriculum, please visit the Undergraduate Programs page and discover the exciting opportunities that await you!

Frequently Asked Questions

The economics major attracts analytical students who are interested in learning about how human beings interact in a myriad of social settings and how these interactions, and government policy responses to these interactions, affect our daily lives. Students who are interested in learning about product and financial markets, government policy, monetary policy, sports, healthcare, and how to use data to analyze these and many other areas will be interested in economics as a major.

The BS degree is designed for students who are more interested in entering a career in a business-related field. Students pursuing the BS will also take courses in finance, management, and marketing and will graduate with a well-rounded business education. The BA in economics is designed to give students more freedom in choosing their course of study. Students pursuing the BA will be able to take additional elective courses that can complement their economics courses. For example, a student enrolled in the BA can take additional political science courses or mathematics courses.

Economics is an analytical field and students should try to develop a strong background in mathematics and statistics. In particular, students should focus on algebra, calculus, and statistics. However, students should not ignore history, government, and sociology courses. After all, economics is not limited to studying how individuals interact in business settings. Finally, a background in coding or programming will be very beneficial. Most economists work with data and data management software on a daily basis. Even limited exposure to coding will give you an advantage.

Both the BS and the BA are designed to be completed in four years, assuming that the student follows the recommended curriculum plan. The BS requires 120 hours and the BA requires 128 hours. Ultimately, the amount of time it takes a student to complete a degree depends upon the student’s personal schedule, how many hours the student completes during the fall and spring semesters, and whether or not the student takes courses over the summer.

With an economics degree, you have a lot of options. Many economics majors continue their education by pursuing an advanced degree. These degree options are not limited to a masters or PhD in economics. Economics graduates enroll in law school, MBA programs, and graduate degrees in many other disciplines. Students wanting to enter the job market right after graduating can work in a variety of fields including banking, financial services, government, healthcare, journalism, and more. According to the American Economic Association and Payscale.com, students with an economics degree earn starting and mid-career salaries that are among the highest of all college majors.