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Why Study Economics?
Understand how people, businesses, and governments make decisions, and learn how those decisions shape markets, policy, and everyday life. Students develop the analytical, quantitative, and communication skills to tackle complex challenges.
Think Like an Economist
Learn to evaluate incentives, analyze tradeoffs, and solve problems using evidence and data.
Shape Your Own Path
Choose from specialized tracks that connect economics to business, finance, public policy, law, international affairs, and more.
Apply Ideas Beyond the Classroom
Strengthen your skills through research, internships, study abroad, and close collaboration with faculty mentors.
It’s a good fit for you if you:
- Enjoy asking why people, organizations, and markets behave the way they do.
- Like combining quantitative analysis with real-world problem solving.
- Want skills that transfer across business, policy, law, and research.
- Are curious about local and global economic challenges.
The Economics Major (B.A.)
Build a foundation in economic theory, data analysis, and strategic decision-making while exploring the issues that shape businesses, governments, and communities. Specialized tracks allow you to tailor the major to your interests and career goals.
In-Demand Skills
- Economic reasoning and decision analysis
- Quantitative modeling and data interpretation
- Research and evidence-based problem solving
- Professional communication and presentation skills
- Strategic thinking across complex systems
Interdisciplinary Curriculum:
You’ll complete 57 credit hours in the areas of economic theory and quantitative methods, with electives across specialized tracks and hands-on research experiences.
This major pairs well with minors or second majors across business, political science, and mathematics.
The Economics Minor
18 Credit Hours | 1 to 1.5 semesters of coursework
In-depth Economics Study, Tailored to Your Interests
Add economic thinking to your primary field of study. The Economics minor helps you understand how incentives, markets, and policy influence decisions across industries and disciplines.
Why Add the Minor?
Whether you're studying political science, business, mathematics, environmental science, or another field, the minor strengthens your analytical skills and broadens your perspective on complex issues.
Where This Can Take You
Graduates are prepared for a wide range of future careers. Many have entered leading Ph.D. programs in economics and public policy, and even received fellowships. Others have entered the banking industry, joined business ventures, or conducted research.
Business, Finance, and Investment Analysis
Apply economic reasoning to financial markets, business strategy, and organizational decision-making. You'll learn to evaluate risk, analyze trends, and use data to support recommendations in finance, consulting, investment research, and corporate strategy.
Sean McDermott '24 combined Economics and Finance coursework with hands-on experiences to build the analytical foundation for a career in finance.
Public Policy and Government
Use economic analysis to understand how policies affect people, businesses, and communities. Graduates pursue opportunities in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, public affairs, and policy research.
Research and Graduate Study
Strengthen your quantitative reasoning, research, and problem-solving abilities through faculty mentorship and independent inquiry. These experiences prepare you for advanced study in economics and related disciplines.
Graduate Destinations: UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC San Diego, University of Chicago, Yale University
Data Analytics and Emerging Industries
Turn information into insight. Economics graduates develop the ability to interpret data, identify patterns, and communicate findings, skills that transfer to technology, healthcare, business intelligence, and other data-driven fields.
Get Your Questions Answered
Students interested in the Economics major or minor are encouraged to:
Talk with their academic adviser. Explore introductory courses. Review the course catalog for detailed requirements. For advising questions, contact the Department of Economics.