Undergraduate Economics Major
Think like an economist to rethink what’s possible.
At the Department of Economics, you’ll interact with faculty who do groundbreaking research in many areas (including experimental, behavioral, labor, environmental, and energy economics; game theory; industrial organization; economic history; and econometrics).
As an undergraduate interested in economics, what matters even more is our dedicated faculty, the real-life experiences available to you and the analytic skills you will gain. Whether you choose to go into government, education or business, the impact of your economics education will last a lifetime.
At Eller, students have more exposure to applied business insights than an economics major would anywhere else I’ve been.
Ashley Langer, Assistant Professor of Economics
Economics Major Overview
Economists study how scarce resources can be efficiently allocated to produce the maximum number of goods and services. Economists conduct research, collect and analyze data, monitor economic trends and develop forecasts. They apply economic theory to endeavors such as banking, finance, manufacturing, education, law, international trade, labor, insurance, agriculture, health, criminal justice, energy, natural resources and telecommunications.
The field of economics provides a framework for analyzing and solving problems that arise from scarcity. Public issues—inflation, unemployment, budget deficits and environmental pollution, for example—as well as individual and business decision-making, are examples of the economist's work.
The Eller College offers two undergraduate economics degrees: the BSBA (which is a Business degree) with a major in Business Economics, and the BA (which is a Social Science degree), with a major in Economics. Students in the (BA) Economics Major, which emphasizes the key role of economics in social science, have a lot of flexibility in their upper division elective course offerings and when it comes to adding additional majors or minors to their undergraduate program. This additional flexibility with outside majors and minors differentiates from the BSBA Business Economics Major student, who focus largely on taking upper division Eller College business courses.
The (BA) Economics Major requires four semesters of foreign language and a minor. The minor can be selected from any college (e.g. Eller College, the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, etc.). It allows students to combine a specific area of interest with the broader study of Economics. Students have ample freedom to customize the Economics BA major, as we provide a wide range of elective offerings and the option to obtain a double major is also possible. To begin upper division Economics classes students will apply for Advanced Standing.
Both degrees that the Eller College offers - BA with a major in Economics and BSBA with a major in Business economics - prepare students for careers including but not limited to consulting, banking, research, analytics, insurance, criminal justice, labor, energy, and health, as well as graduate school, including law school and further study in Economics (Masters or PhD). To be admitted to the Business Economics (BSBA) major, students go through the BSBA Professional Admission process.
Economics Advising
Every Eller Economics student has an assigned advisor to help with the academic and career questions that come up as you study here. Get to know yours.
Department of Economics
The Eller Economics Department is a world-recognized pioneer in experimental and behavioral economics. And thanks to award-winning faculty, it’s a great place for undergraduates to learn about a field that matters more than ever.
Economics Elective Course Options
There are more than 20 Economics elective courses available:
View All Undergraduate Economics Courses Including Electives
Economics Major Career Resources
Economics Careers
Your Economics degree can lead a wide range of careers—in government, education or business. Graduates go on to careers in consulting, banking, research and analytics, for example, while others continue to graduate school.
Meet the Economics Career Coach
Eller students have a world of options in front of them—which is why connecting with a career career coach is so valuable. Get counseling, professional development, and insight on internship and job opportunities awaiting you.