Economics

Studying economics is not the same as studying business—though they do make a powerful double major. It’s also an ideal start to a wide range of careers, from finance to policy making.

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Major, Minor

Understand why things happen—not just how.

Why are spam emails always so poorly written? What should towns rebuilding after a natural disaster consider doing differently? Why do most Americans get health insurance through their employer? Is it more effective to sign a single superstar athlete for a season or to invest in player development? Why isn’t high-speed rail travel more common in the U.S.?

These are all questions for economists. If you have an abiding curiosity in the way the world works, plus an aptitude for math and data analysis, we’ll help you discover the answers.

Major or Minor in Economics

If you choose to major or minor in business while pursuing an economics degree, be aware you cannot use the same courses to fulfill more than 3 hours of both degree programs. Students planning to go on to graduate school in economics should also consider taking more mathematics coursework than the bachelor’s degree requires.

Requirements Courses

Course Spotlight

You'll take a core curriculum consisting of two courses each in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and statistics, as well as calculus and accounting. After that, it’s up to you: Choose to focus on economic development, industrial organization, labor economics, environmental economics, international economics, or financial modeling. Then put your ideas to work on your own senior research project.

ECON 263 Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
ECON 280 Economics of Inequality
ECON 303 Introduction to Econometrics
ECON 333 Managerial Finance
ECON 371 International Trade: Theory and Policy

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What Our Economics Alumni Are Doing

You can do practically anything with an economics degree–from practicing law to working in an investment bank. Or stick with pure economics. Keith Maskus ’76 took a break from a long career as an economics professor at University of Colorado Boulder to serve as Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of State from 2010 to 2017.

Ghazi Joseph Saoud ’22 | Currently pursuing a J.D. at University of Illinois Law School
Emilie Marion ’22 | Environmental Coordinator at Communauté Urbaine Grand Paris Seine & Oise
Michael Martin ’17 | Proposal Coordinator, Prairie Engineers P.C.
Chloe Salk ’16 J.D. | Legislative Liaison, Illinois Pollution Control Board
Kosuke Nishitani ’18 | Associate–Transition Coordinator, BlackRock

Talip Kilic '04 - 2024 Alumni Achievement Award Winner

Talip Kilic '04 graduated with a degree in economics and international relations. He earned a Ph.D. in economics from American University in 2008. Kilic has since worked at The World Bank, he now serves as a senior program manager.

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