Economics also offers the practical advantage of opening up career opportunities. Both firms and government agencies are interested in undergraduate Economics majors for entry level jobs.

The degree demonstrates your ability to clearly analyze and work comfortably with numbers. A national survey for the Class of 2012 shows that economics graduates earn an average starting salary of $54,800, the highest of any business related and social science major. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal reports that those with an Economics degree had the highest earnings of all majors.

Economics provides excellent preparation for a number of different career paths you may be considering. Many students already know that economics is a great foundation for careers in business, and indeed our graduates often go to work in fields like management, banking, finance, consulting, human resources, real estate, and insurance. What surprises many students is that a background in economics is also very helpful for fields such as law, public policy, journalism, health care administration, teaching, and academic research.