Economics major

Economics: courses, careers, and where to study

Economics studies how individuals, firms, and governments allocate resources, combining theory with empirical analysis and a strong mathematical foundation.

An Economics major covers microeconomics (consumer and firm behavior, market structure), macroeconomics (growth, inflation, monetary and fiscal policy), and econometrics (statistical analysis of economic data). Coursework requires calculus, linear algebra, statistics, and most departments now strongly recommend or require advanced econometrics. The major often comes in two flavors: a BA (lighter math) and a BS or "Mathematical Economics" (heavier math, recommended for PhD-bound students).

Economics graduates are sought by financial services, consulting, government, tech (data and product analytics), and academia. The major pairs well with a CS minor for technical roles or a Math/Statistics double for quantitative finance.

Academic classification (CIP)

In the federal Classification of Instructional Programs, Economics maps to CIP 45.0601, Economics, General, within the SOCIAL SCIENCES family. The official definition:

A general program that focuses on the systematic study of the production, conservation and allocation of resources in conditions of scarcity, together with the organizational frameworks related to these processes. Includes instruction in economic theory, micro- and macroeconomics, comparative economic systems, money and banking systems, international economics, quantitative analytical methods, and applications to specific industries and public policy issues.

Source: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020. View on nces.ed.gov

What you'll study

  • Microeconomic theory
  • Macroeconomic theory
  • Econometrics (regression, time series, causal inference)
  • Calculus, linear algebra, probability
  • Field electives: labor, public, international, behavioral
  • Game theory
  • Economic history or development
  • Senior research paper

Typical careers

Typical salary range: $60,000–$90,000 early-career (BLS, 2024 economists median $115,440)Ranges are early-career estimates. Any BLS figure shown is the occupation-wide median across all experience levels, not a starting wage, and is informational only.

Related occupations

Occupations the federal CIP–SOC crosswalk associates with Economics. Linked titles open a CampusPin career page with BLS pay and outlook data; others are listed for reference.

Source: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), Crosswalk: CIP 2020 to SOC 2018. A program of study does not guarantee any specific occupation.

Before you commit to a Economics major

CampusPin does not rank programs. Use these prompts to pressure-test whether a specific Economics program fits your goals, they are decision questions, not claims about any school.

Ask the Economics department

  • Which concentrations or specializations are offered, and which faculty lead them?
  • What does the typical course sequence look like, and how much is required vs. elective?
  • What labs, studios, clinical placements, or research opportunities are available to undergraduates?
  • Is there a capstone, thesis, internship, or co-op requirement?

Ask current students & check the curriculum

  • How heavy is the workload, and how accessible is the faculty?
  • What internships or co-ops did you do, and where do recent graduates end up?
  • Does the required curriculum actually match the careers listed above?
  • How easy is it to add a minor, double major, or switch tracks later?
Accreditation & licensure: Most Economics programs are covered by their institution's regional accreditation; specialized programmatic accreditation is less common in this field. Confirm any field-specific accreditation or licensure that matters for your goals.
Degree level & graduate study: Many Economicscareers are open with a bachelor's degree, but some, such as research, advanced-practice, or licensure-track roles, require a master's or doctorate. Check the typical entry-level education on each linked career page above before assuming a bachelor's is enough.

Find a Economics program

CampusPin lists U.S. universities and community colleges that offer Economics programs. Filter by state, tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting, no account required.

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How this guide is sourced

This is an editorial guide from the CampusPin Editorial Team. Career and wage figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupation-wide medians across all experience levels, not starting wages, and link to each career page. Program availability comes from CampusPin's free institution search; CampusPin does not assert that any specific school offers this exact major until that program data is verified. Last reviewed 2026-06-15. How CampusPin sources data · Report a correction.