Economics
Economics is the study of how individuals, firms, and governments allocate their scarce resources. This major is designed for those who seek a broad understanding of the operation of the economic system and training in the methods and uses of economic analysis. Graduates are equipped for employment in many areas of business operations, labor unions, and agencies of government at all levels; and to undertake the graduate work necessary to become professional economists.
Degree Types: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Minor
Degree Options
Popular Double Majors or Minors
- Business
- Political Science
- Business and the Liberal Arts
- Mathematics
- Statistics
About the Program
Why should I pursue this degree?
You might like this program if…
- You have an interest in decisions made by individuals and firms, policies made by governments, and their effects. Economists advise presidents, make forecasts about unemployment and the stock market, and create Federal Reserve Bank policies. But economists also study health care, crime, environmental issues, inequality, and more. Perhaps most importantly, economics provides knowledge and logic for making everyday decisions, big and small. This includes everything from where to eat lunch to what career you choose.
Transferable Skills
- Oral and Written Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Problem-Solving Skills
- Analytical Skills
- Interpersonal and Interviewing Skills
Coursework
Opportunities to explore the following topics:
- Public Finance
- Money and Banking
- Economics of Sports
- Health Economics
- International Economics
Out-of-Classroom Experiences
Internships
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
- Cigna Healthcare
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Federal Reserve Bank of New York
- Swiss Re
- KPMG
- Deloitte Consulting
- Bates White
- General Services Administration
- PwC
- Aldi
- SAP America
- The Vanguard Group
- Emerald Asset Management
- JP Morgan Chase & Co.
- IBM
Education Abroad Destinations
China
Germany
Italy
Spain
United Kingdom
Career Paths
Continuing Education
- Law school
- MBA
- Graduate school to study economics, finance, accounting, statistics, data science, risk management, information systems, management and organizational leadership, business analytics, supply chain, engineering, and mathematics
Job Titles
- Economist
- Market Researcher
- Accountant
- Risk Analyst
- Auditor
- Research Assistant
- System Analyst
- Lawyer
Industries
Banking/Finance, Consulting, Data Analysis, Logistics and Operations, Management, Marketing, Research, Risk Management
Employers
- Deloitte
- PNC
- Citi
- PwC
- EY
- Morgan Stanley
- JPMorgan Chase & Co.
- Vanguard
- Amazon
Have questions about this program?
Future students, contact the Liberal Arts Recruitment Team.
Current students, contact your academic adviser.
This program is housed
in the Department of Economics
at Penn State University Park and Penn State World Campus.