Business & Economics

Economics

How people, markets, and governments make choices about resources.

Content last reviewed: August 2026

Economics studies how individuals, firms, and governments make decisions under scarcity, and how those decisions aggregate into markets, prices, and policy outcomes. It's more theoretical and quantitative than most business majors, with a strong emphasis on models and data.

Coursework builds from micro- and macroeconomic theory into statistics and econometrics, the toolkit used to test economic theories against real-world data, and many programs allow specialization in areas like development, labor, or environmental economics.

Typical courses you might take

✓Microeconomics
✓Macroeconomics
✓Statistics for Economics
✓Econometrics
✓Intermediate Micro Theory
✓Intermediate Macro Theory
✓Game Theory (often elective)
✓Economics Capstone / Thesis

Sample four-year plan

Illustrative, not a registration plan

One possible way these courses could be sequenced alongside general education and elective credit. Real programs vary in order, pacing, and prerequisites by school, use this to get a rough sense of the arc, not to plan actual registration.

Year 1 · Fall

✓Microeconomics
+General education requirement

Year 1 · Spring

✓Macroeconomics
+General education requirement

Year 2 · Fall

✓Statistics for Economics
+General education requirement

Year 2 · Spring

✓Econometrics
+Free elective

Year 3 · Fall

✓Intermediate Micro Theory
+Free elective

Year 3 · Spring

✓Intermediate Macro Theory
+Elective in the major (or minor coursework)

Year 4 · Fall

✓Game Theory (often elective)
+Elective in the major (or minor coursework)

Year 4 · Spring

✓Economics Capstone / Thesis
+Capstone, thesis, or culminating project (common in many programs)

Skills you'll build

Economic modeling and theoryStatistical and econometric analysisInterpreting data to test hypothesesUnderstanding markets, incentives, and policy effectsQuantitative reasoningResearch designClear writing about complex, abstract ideas

Explore more majors that build these skills →

This major might be a good fit if you...

★Enjoys abstract models and applying them to real situations
★Strong in math and statistics
★Curious about markets, policy, and human decision-making
★Interested in research and data-driven argument

Common minors & double-major pairings

Mathematics · Political Science · Data Science

Roles this major could lead to

Factual, day-to-day descriptions from our Career Role Encyclopedia, not a guarantee this major leads to any specific job.

Technology & Data

Data Analyst

Turns raw data into reports and insights that inform business decisions.

Business & Finance

Financial Analyst

Evaluates financial data to guide investment or business decisions.

Business & Finance

Management Consultant

Advises organizations on solving specific business problems.

Business & Finance

Business Analyst

Bridges business needs and technical or operational solutions.

Law & Public Policy

Policy Analyst

Researches and evaluates policy options for government or advocacy organizations.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Economics major?

How people, markets, and governments make choices about resources.

What courses do Economics majors take?

Typical coursework includes classes like Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Statistics for Economics, among others, see the full course list above for this major's typical lineup.

What skills do you build in a Economics program?

Economics coursework typically builds skills like Economic modeling and theory, Statistical and econometric analysis, Interpreting data to test hypotheses, Understanding markets, incentives, and policy effects.

Is Economics a good major for me?

It tends to be a good fit if signals like "Enjoys abstract models and applying them to real situations" or "Strong in math and statistics" describe you. See the full "good fit if you..." list above for more.

What can you do with a Economics degree?

Majors in this field often go on to roles like Data Analyst, Financial Analyst, Management Consultant. See our Career Role Encyclopedia for more, a major shapes what you study, not a guarantee of any specific job.

What other majors pair well with Economics?

Common minor or double-major pairings include Mathematics, Political Science, Data Science.

How is Economics different from Finance?

They're related but distinct. Economics: How people, markets, and governments make choices about resources. Finance: How money, risk, and investment decisions work. Use the compare tool to see courses and skills side by side.

How long does it take to earn a Economics degree?

Most bachelor's degrees, including this one, are designed to be completed in about four years of full-time study. Exact timing depends on your school, course load, transfer credit, and any changes of major along the way.

From our guides

How to Choose a College Major: A Complete Guide for Students and ParentsA practical, step-by-step framework for figuring out what to study, how to test a major before committing to it, and what to do if you're still not sure by move-in day.Data Analyst vs. Data Scientist vs. Business Analyst: What's the DifferenceThree job titles that show up in nearly identical postings but mean different things day to day. Here's what actually separates the work, and which majors tend to lead where.Double Major or Minor: How to Tell If It's Worth the Extra TimeAdding a second major or minor can genuinely open doors, or just add a stressful extra year for no real reason. Here's a framework for telling which one you're looking at.Finance vs. Accounting vs. Economics: Which One Do You Actually WantAll three majors deal with money, but they ask different questions about it. Here's what separates a finance major from an accounting major from an economics major.

This overview describes what the field of study typically covers. It's not a guarantee of course availability, job placement, or earnings, program details vary by school. See our disclaimer.