Key takeaways
- An economics degree is essentially a social science degree featuring a unique combination of courses in business, mathematics, and finance
- You can pursue an economics degree at the associate, bachelor, master, or PhD level.
- With a bachelor’s degree, you become eligible for a variety of job roles in finance, public policy, private corporations, banks, investment firms, and public institutions.
- A master’s degree in economics makes you eligible for a variety of senior-level positions such as economist, political scientist, and public policy analyst.
- The job outlook for economics graduates is bright with nearly all occupations featuring a higher than national average job growth rate.
- Colleges offering a bachelor’s degree in economics include Northeastern Illinois University, Morehouse College, Georgia College and State University, and more.
- Arizona State University, Eastern Oregon University, and Truman State University are some colleges offering an online economics degree.
An economics degree equips you with the skills needed to answer key economic questions. What goods and services should be produced? How should they be produced? How will the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services affect economies at large? These are just some of the questions an economist must answer and to be able to do so, a formal education is necessary.
In this guide, we discuss in detail an economics degree, what can you do with one, and where can you get one from.
What does an economics degree entail?
An economics degree features a blend of business, financial, mathematical, analytical, research, and social science courses. Through the program, students will build in-depth knowledge of the workings of the economy, people, and their consumption patterns at an international, national, and local level. Thus, the study of economics is divided into two main sections, microeconomics, and macroeconomics.
Microeconomics
Microeconomics is the study of how businesses and people allocate scarce resources such as money, land, time, and human resources. Here, students also learn the impact of such decisions on the overall market, especially product supply and demand and product prices. Additionally, students learn about taxation and other economic policies, their effect on consumers and businesses, consumer behavior, the labor market, market systems, what causes market failure, and more.
Macroeconomics
At the macro level, students learn the effect of economies at a large scale rather than individuals and businesses. This includes the study of inflation, economic output, foreign exchange rates, interest rates, price determination, balance of payments, and more. Students also study the effects of political instability, trade competition in international markets, natural disasters, central bank monetary policies, and more.
Levels of economics degree
The levels at which you can pursue an economics degree are associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral level. You can either follow the exact same order or skip an associate’s program and directly enroll in a bachelor’s degree in economics as it offers a more comprehensive learning program at the undergraduate level and graduates can explore a higher number of job opportunities.
Associate’s degree in economics
An associate’s degree in economics lasts two years and builds a strong foundation in key economic principles. It prepares students for a bachelor’s degree in the field, however, some colleges also allow for associate degree holders with relevant work experience to enroll in a master’s program.
Bachelor’s economics degree
A bachelor’s degree in economics features 120 to 135 credit hours, depending on the institution. The program lasts four years and features a blend of courses in different fields, including business and finance. However, it is primarily a social science degree and prepares students for various job roles such as actuary, financial adviser, credit analyst, investment banker, and so on.
Master’s degree in economics
A master’s degree lasts 1 to 3 years depending on the program you enroll in. If you choose a part-time program, the degree can go up to 4 years with the capstone project. With a master’s degree, you become eligible for upper-management economic degree jobs.
Doctorate in economics
The time duration for a PhD in economics is 4 to 5 years but it can go up to 8 years, depending on how long it takes to complete your dissertation and publish a paper. With a PhD, graduates can explore job roles in teaching, economic or market research, or pursue public sector roles.
Bachelor’s in economics program details
A bachelor’s in economics is a unique program featuring a blend of business, finance, international policy, social science, and other courses. During the four-year program, students will take a variety of courses in general education, core-specific courses, and electives. You can also pursue one of the many specializations in the field of economics.
The exact program curriculum varies by program type and institute. At the bachelor level, you can either pursue a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in Economics. The primary difference between the two programs is in the general education course offerings.
In a BA, students the general education component features liberal arts and humanities courses. The program focuses on developing skills such as critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, and other soft skills.
In a BS program, students take science and mathematics courses developing a wider range of quantitative and analytical skills. However, often, these distinctions exist on paper and students are able to tailor their learning experiences by pursuing relevant specializations and choosing electives of their choice.
Available specialization in a bachelor’s degree in economics
In a bachelor’s economics degree, students can choose from one of the many available specializations. While an economics degree in itself is a versatile program leading to diverse career opportunities in business, finance, government and research institutions, and more. However, if you want to enhance your career prospects and develop niche-specific skills, choosing specialization is the right thing to do.
Here, are some types of specializations in an economics degree and the courses you can expect to take in each.
General Economics
Through the general economics specialization, students learn to think critically about current economic issues and find creative solutions. Courses they can expect to take include:
- Intermediate Microeconomic Analysis
- Economic Research
- Introduction to Econometrics
- Business Analytics
- Professional Career Development
International Specialization
If you want to learn about economics at the global level, including trade policies, their effect on global politics, and more, an international economics specialization is the right choice for you. Some courses you may come across in the international specialization include:
- Economies of the Pacific Rim
- International Economy
- Economies of the Middle East
- International Macroeconomics
- The Less Developed Countries and World Economy
Quantitative Analysis / Data Sciences
Through the quantitative analysis specialization, students learn quantitative reasoning, data analytics, and data-backed decision-making through a variety of courses including:
- Industrial Organization
- Labor Economics
- Money and Banking
- International Macroeconomics and Growth
- Natural Resource Economics
In combination with specialization-specific courses, students must take electives from math, and computer science courses besides the essential economics electives.
Public Policy
The public policy specialization prepares students for roles in governmental and non-governmental organizations that govern public policy. The following are just some courses students can expect to take in the specialization:
- Public Finance
- Cost-Benefit Analysis
- Monetary and Fiscal Policy
- History of Economic Thought
- Urban Economics
With the specialization, you can get jobs such as public policy analyst, tax economist, consumer affairs director, and so on.
Applied Microeconomics
Microeconomics is the study of economics at the individual level such as consumer or an individual business organization. In the applied microeconomics specialization, you can expect to take courses such as:
- Economics of Health
- Law and Economics
- Behavioral Economics
- Environmental Economics
- Economics of Gender and Work
Behavioral Economics
Through this specialization, students develop a comprehensive understanding of how businesses and individuals make economic decisions. Here, you will take a blend of courses including some psychology courses. Other courses may include:
- Economics of Life
- Environmental Economics
- Economics and Psychology
- Health Economics
- Game Theory and Economic Activity
Financial Economics
A finance specialization within an economics degree can open many high-paying job opportunities for graduates. Through the specialization, students develop a range of in-demand finance skills such as financial analysis, investment banking, investment management, and more. Courses you can expect to take in the specialization include:
- Advanced Financial Markets
- Financial Economics
- International Finance
- Mortgage Finance
- Financial Econometrics
Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics
Monetary economics is the study of money, how its value is determined, how it serves as a medium of exchange, how it is stored, and more. Macroeconomics includes the study of economic output, which is measured in money, interest rates, inflation, and so on. Since monetary economics and macroeconomics are interrelated, some colleges offer the two as a combined specialization. In this specialization, you can expect to take courses such as:
- Money and Banking
- Economic Forecasting
- International Finance
- Labor Economics
- Housing and Mortgage Markets
Law and Economics
Through this specialization, students will learn the different laws that affect and govern economic policies. Courses you can expect to take in the specialization include:
- Law and Economics
- Business and Government
- Economics of Regulation
- Health Policy and Economics
- Micro econometrics
Health Economics
If you are interested in studying how efficient and cost-effective healthcare is, health economics is the specialization for you. Here you can expect to take courses such as:
- Health Economics
- Health Policy and Economics
- Micro econometrics
- Economies of Labor Markets
- Research in Health Economics
International and Development Economics
Through this specialization, students develop strong insight into international trade laws, regulations, and policies. The program focuses specifically on the development of economies and solving current economic problems. Courses in the specialization include:
- Introduction to Global Trade and Finance
- International Finance
- Economic Development
- International Trade
- Developing Economies and Their Pressing Issues (Latin America or Africa)
Business Economics
Here, students learn a variety of topics including how businesses make decisions, how they maximize profit, how they set incentives, and the role those incentives play in increasing efficiency. The Business Economics specialization includes courses such as:
- Stocks, Bonds, and Financial Markets
- Industrial Organization
- Managerial Economics
- Game Theory and Economic Activity
- Business and Government
Additional specializations
Some other specializations you may come across in an economics degree include:
- Economic History
- Agricultural, Natural Resources, and the Environment
- Economic Development
- Health and Education Economics
Not all colleges offer comprehensive types of specializations in economics. If there is a particular one you want to follow, make sure you check with the college of your choice beforehand to determine if it offers the relevant specialization or not before you apply.
Typical program curriculum of an economics degree
At the bachelor level, students must complete general education, core-specific, and elective course requirements. Through a combination of the three, students will complete 120 to 135 credit hours depending on their college’s graduation requirements.
The exact program curriculum varies by college, program type, and specialization, all of which we will discuss in detail later in the article. Core-specific courses in an economics major can include the following:
- Research Methods in Economics
- Applied Econometrics
- International Trade
- International Economics
- Intermediate Macroeconomic Analysis
- History of Economics and Forecasting
- Statistical Foundations of Econometrics and Data Science
The program curriculum of an economics degree at the bachelor level features a blend of theoretical and applied economics projects, students develop a range of transferable skills and competencies. Students not only learn economics principles and theories but also learn to apply learned principles to practical or current real-world situations to solve some of the most pressing global problems.
Admission requirements
The admission requirements to secure admission to a bachelor’s degree in economics vary depending on whether you are applying after high school graduation, or after obtaining an associate’s degree in economics. The exact admission criteria for each college and program vary. However, those applying after high school will generally have to meet the following criteria:
- High school minimum GPA
- Official high school transcripts
- Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT)
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal essay
Those applying after getting an associate degree need to submit their official degree transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. In addition, they must also check which of their credits earned are transferable to their bachelor’s degree to determine which semester they will be eligible for.
Graduation requirements
The graduation requirements for each program generally include minimum GPA requirements, completion of a capstone course and project, completion of an internship, and fulfillment of required credit hours keeping in mind predetermined credit hour distribution.
Some colleges also outline some code of conduct requirements that students must always adhere to. While these are not essentially graduation requirements, in some colleges students face heavy penalties if found in violation of said rules of conduct.
Thus, we suggest students conduct thorough research to determine what campus life will be like, and what will be expected of them as students of the college they are considering. If the campus life or college rules are not in line with a student’s requirements, it is best to choose another institute or maybe consider an online economics degree.
Which colleges offer a bachelor’s degree in economics?
There are several colleges in the United States that offer a bachelor’s degree in economics. Whether you are looking for a BA, a BS, or a bachelor’s in economics, you will find plenty of options you can choose from. Here is a list of some US colleges offering an economics degree at the bachelor’s level.
| College | Acceptance % | Graduation % | Tuition |
| Northeastern Illinois University | 63% | 62% | $12,383 in-state
$22,726 out-of-state |
| Morehouse College | 60% | 53% | $31,725 |
| University of Southern Indiana | 94% | 50% | $10,136 in-state
$22,573 out-of-state |
| Georgia College and State University | 80% | 62% | $30,046 |
| University of Pittsburg at Johnstown | 97% | 57% | $14,646 in-state
$26,520 out-of-state |
| Carroll University | 72% | 67% | $38,040 |
| Illinois Institute of Technology | 61% | 70% | $51,763 |
These are just some of the colleges in the US offering an economics degree. You can also explore colleges by state, or search for a particular college you aspire to attend.
Can I pursue an online economics degree?
Pursuing an online economics degree master’s or bachelor’s offers significant benefits. First, students enrolled in an online program enjoy greater flexibility, and convenience being able to take classes from anywhere they want. Those enrolled in an asynchronous program don’t even have any time restrictions and can take classes at any time.
Secondly, without additional costs such as transport and accommodation, an online program’s cost of attendance is significantly cheaper than that of a traditional program. So, if affordability is a requirement, an online program might be ideal for you.
Lastly, students can join an online program from anywhere in the world. The lack of geographical limitations in a distance learning program makes it extremely popular.
However, some disadvantages of pursuing an online degree include a lack of technical support, the need for self-governance, discipline, and time management. All in all, online students must be self-sufficient and self-reliant to be able to make the most of the online learning experience.
Where can I pursue an online economics degree?
Here are some colleges offering a bachelor’s degree in economics online.
| College | Acceptance % | Graduation % | Tuition |
| Eastern Oregon University Online | 99% | 50% | $10,671 in-state
$24,621 out-of-state |
| Arizona State University | 90% | 66% | $12,051 in-state
$32,193 out-of-state |
| Rutgers – The State University of New Jersey | 79% | 84% | $11,619 in-state
$$27,560 out-of-state |
| Truman State University | 45% | 75% | $9,470 in-state
$17,870 out-of-state |
| North Dakota State University | 96% | 60% | $9,309 in-state
$13,963 out-of-state |
Economics degree jobs you can get with a bachelor’s degree
From private and public corporations, banks, investment and finance companies to government institutions and non-profit organizations, graduates with an economics degree can pursue job opportunities in different types of organizations across various industries. Regardless of whether you pursue a BA, BS, bachelor’s in economics, or a Bachelor of Economics, as long as you graduate with an economics major, you are eligible for various entry-level positions.
Here are some economics major jobs you can apply for after getting a bachelor’s degree in economics.
| Job title | Average salary |
| Economist | $115,730 per year |
| Actuary | $120,000 per year |
| Data Scientist | $108,020 per year |
| Financial Analyst | $99,890 per year |
| Market Research Analyst | $74,680 per year |
| Budget Analyst | $83,640 per year |
| Financial Managers | $156,100 per year |
| Credit Analyst | $94,750 per year |
These are just some of the job opportunities for economics degree holders. Here, for some jobs such as economists, private corporations prefer graduates with a master’s degree in economics. However, those with a bachelor’s degree are eligible for various entry-level positions in the field, especially in government institutions.
Economics degree employment trends in 2025
Public and private organizations alike have been using economic analysis and quantitative reasoning to make data-backed decisions. Companies hiring economics major graduates utilize their skills to aid in market research, business forecasting, risk analysis, risk management, and more.
According to the United Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for economists is 5%, which is higher than the national average for all occupations. Other job roles economics major graduates can pursue in social science and related fields have a 6% job growth rate, even higher than that for economists. The bureau predicts that over 1000 jobs will open for economics graduates each year.
For most entry-level positions in the field, a bachelor’s degree in economics is the ideal qualification. However, for some specialized job roles such as data scientist and actuary, a specialization in quantitative analysis can improve your chances of getting hired. Graduates seeking economics degree jobs can explore opportunities on job hunt platforms such as LinkedIn, indeed, Glassdoor, and more.
Additionally, they can explore the Job Openings for Economists Network by the American Economic Association to explore career opportunities and build a network of professionals. The network provides a range of job opportunities including research assistant opportunities to help students and graduates land jobs and apprenticeship opportunities.
With a bright job outlook, the ability to access diverse career opportunities, and highly transferable skills economics graduates enjoy a rewarding professional career.
Frequently Asked Questions about an economics degree
Before you enroll in a program, make sure you find the answers to all the questions about your program of choice.
What can you do with an economics degree?
With an economics degree, you can explore various career opportunities in business, finance, banking, policy-making, research, and more. From private corporations, and public institutions, to banks, investment firms, and government organizations, all hire economics degree graduates for various job roles.
What jobs can you get with an economics degree?
Jobs you can get with an economics major are varied and depend on the skills an individual develops in the program. Depending on your specialization, and choice of electives, some opportunities you can explore include financial advisor, financial analyst, budget analyst, economist, actuary, and more.
Is an economics degree worth it?
An economics degree builds a diverse range of transferable skills that enhance a student’s employability. After graduation, students can pursue a range of job opportunities in a variety of fields. Additionally, job roles you can get as an economics major graduate have a higher than the national average job growth rate.
The positive job outlook, high demand for skilled economists, and favorable employment conditions make an economics degree worthwhile. Whether an economics degree is worth it or not depends on your career aspirations.
Is an economics degree a BA or a BS?
In an economics degree, you can get both a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Bachelor of Science in Economics, depending on what your college offers. Some colleges offer a Bachelor of Economics or a bachelor’s in economics as well. Both programs offer the same learning experience and takeaways.
What study area would economics be in?
Economics is a social science degree that features a blend of business and finance courses along with economics and other social science subjects. Thus, students build a range of transferable skills and professional competencies making them eligible for roles in business, finance, policy making, investment banking, and more.
Enroll in an economics major today!
An economics degree opens many financially rewarding career prospects for students. Through the program, students develop comprehensive skills and knowledge in the field of economics, making them eligible for a variety of job roles in varied industries. Experts in the study of economics and money are always in demand and forever will be, making an economics degree a worthwhile pursuit.
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