Students often wonder, "what can I do with an economics degree?" Whether it's career preparation, intellectual curiosity, or political change that drives you, economics has something to offer.
According to the Wall Street Journal and PayScale Inc., economics majors, on average, start at a higher salary than most other liberal arts, and even business degrees:
Average Starting Salaries by Major:
| Computer Science |
$55,900 |
| Civil Engineering |
$53,900 |
| Economics |
$50,100 |
| Management Information Systems |
$49,200 |
| Finance |
$47,900 |
| Accounting |
$46,000 |
| Math |
$45,400 |
| Business Management |
$43,000 |
| Agriculture |
$42,600 |
| Marketing |
$40,800 |
| Political Science |
$40,800 |
| History |
$39,200 |
| Communications |
$38,100 |
| English |
$38,000 |
| Sociology |
$36,500 |
| Journalism |
$35,600 |
Additionally, a major in economics sends a message to prospective employers that you:
- Are a logical and critical thinker
- Have basic quantitative skills
- Are able to assess economic costs versus benefits
- Think on the margin
- Can adapt to changing circumstances
- Are interested in the "big picture"
Because the state of our economy impacts every area of business, as someone who is able to understand and interpret it, you'll find job opportunity in virtually any industry. Examples include:
- Public policy
- Real estate
- Finance
- Government
- Business
- Non-profit
- Education
- Consulting
- Banking