The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Economics is offered through the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business. Economics is a rigorous and rewarding major which familiarizes students with the economic aspects of modern society and teaches them how to analyze economic problems and evaluate public policies. Economics BS majors learn to use economic theory and analyze economic data which prepares students for employment as analysts, appraisers, managers, consultants, economic statisticians, brokers, bankers, and traders in a variety of industries in the private sector as well as in the government and not-for-profit sectors. Our graduates tend to be very successful and in high demand. Many of our graduates ultimately seek a postgraduate degree, with about one-fourth going directly to graduate school in economics, business, finance, law, or other fields. Students in the BS in Economics program can choose between the following five specialty areas:
- Economic Policy: Trains students for a career in policy analysis, with example job outcomes such as an analyst at a government agency (e.g., Federal Reserve) or a policy think tank, or a lawyer in policy-related fields. It focuses on electives relevant to the economic analysis of public policy, e.g., Economics of Public Policy (ECON 32200), and Labor Economics (ECON 38500).
- Business Economics: Trains students for a career in the corporate world, with example job outcomes such as management positions (e.g., financial manager) or analyst at a consulting firm. Also prepares for MBA study. It focuses on electives relevant to the economic analysis of business decisions and markets, e.g., International Trade (ECON 37000) and Industrial Organization (ECON 46100).
- Quantitative Economics and Data Analytics: Trains students for a career focused on data analytics, with example job outcomes such as data analyst at a government agency (e.g., Bureau of Labor Statistics) or market research analyst. It focuses on electives relevant to econometrics and data analysis for economics, e.g., Computational Economics (ECON 37300 ) and Advanced Data Analysis And Machine Learning (ECON 46300).
- Mathematical Economics: Trains students interested in a further pursuit of graduate training in economics (particularly a Ph.D. degree). It focuses on electives relevant to the mathematical tools necessary for rigorous analysis of economic models, e.g., Game Theory (ECON 45100) and Foundation of Analysis (MA 34100).
- Behavioral Economics: Trains students to apply insights from economics and psychology to understand and predict human behavior. Prepares students for a career in government (e.g., Consumer Financial Protection Bureau), nonprofit, and industry organizations that seek to improve the effectiveness of policy and organizations. It focuses on electives such as Behavioral Economics (ECON 471) and Experimental Economics (ECON 372).
Refer to myPurduePlan at www.mypurdue.purdue.edu for degree requirements.
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for displaying plans of study.
Daniels School of Business
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