35 Best Undergraduate Economics Schools

Can’t decide whether a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science is right for you? Don’t worry—Texas A&M University offers them both. It is one of the best economics schools.

Texas A&M University College Station is a senior military college. You will find top undergraduate economics programs that are meant to help you develop a unique and effective way of thinking and asking questions about various issues. You will start by developing a strong base in core economic topics before going on to more specialized coursework in areas like:

• gender and race
• sports
• poverty and inequality
• public finance

You can customize the duration and plan of your studies based on your schedule and intended career path. The department offers multiple five-year programs along with an “Econ Fastrack” program that will enable you to complete a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in a fraction of the time it would ordinarily take. 

The major benefit of this degree in economics is that it is highly affordable. Texas A&M University is known for its already low tuition rates. When you consider that the school also offers multiple economic scholarships outside of its base-rate university aid package, this degree in economics is a sure bargain.

Do you want to participate in research, study abroad, and engage in a multitude of on-campus student activities and events? That sounds like a dream come true, right? 

When you choose to study at the University of California-Berkeley, that dream becomes a reality. Here, you will find one of the country’s best Bachelor of Arts in economics degrees. It is home to more than 1,500 students. It is available as:

• a stand-alone major
• an honors program
• a minor

You will be able to take a broad array of courses in economics, from advanced microeconomics to economic history. You will benefit from dedicated undergraduate students services here where you can get help with:

• schedule planning
• research
• academic tutoring

The department is also home to multiple undergraduate student organizations to help you enjoy your time at school and benefit from peer interactions and professional development, too.

For example, you might choose to take part in Omicron Delta Epsilon, one of the world’s largest academic honor societies, or to participate in the University of California at Berkeley’s premier undergraduate peer-reviewed economics journal, the Berkeley Economic Review.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is one of the top undergraduate economics programs. The economics degree program offers hundreds of resources to help aspiring economists on their journey toward becoming proficient, career-ready professionals. 

Here, you will be able to choose from a variety of majors in addition to the stand-alone Bachelor of Arts in economics. BA economics majors at the U of I will have options. The economics department offers:

• econometrics and quantitative economics major
• economics minor
• computer science and economics combined major

Whichever option you choose, you are sure to build a foundation of academic skills that will help to prepare you for post-college life.

You will take a variety of rewarding classes here such as:

• Economic Statistics
• Macroeconomic Theory
• Microeconomic Principles

The most enriching experiences will likely be those that you have outside of the classroom. The economics department offers many opportunities to help build upon your training, such as:

• special events
• workshops
• networking opportunities
• student organizations

The economics department is also known for its extensive career support with a dedicated career services office. You will be guided toward internships, career opportunities, and other prospects throughout every step of your academic journey.

If you want an economics degree program that will allow you to declare your major and start taking classes in economics as soon as your first semester, you should consider the University of California—Los Angeles which is one of the best economics undergraduate schools.

Here, you will find a rewarding and enriching Bachelor of Arts in economics. Available as a standalone program as well as with an alternate major in business economics, the degree in economics can be combined with a multitude of other degrees for students wishing to customize their degree paths. For example, you might choose to double major in mathematics for a more versatile degree.

After enrolling in this degree in economics, you can choose to concentrate your studies in areas like:

• public finance and economic policy
• value investing
• corporate strategy and competition
• data analytics

The department also offers an accelerated master’s degree in applied economics in partnership with another University of California school, UC Santa Cruz.

You will take a variety of hands-on classes like:

• Designed Markets
• Investments
• Pricing and Strategy
• Finance

These all provide a solid foundation for eventual graduate coursework or for entry into the workforce!

Another highly affordable program, this top economics undergraduate program is offered by the Department of Economics, which offers scholarships of varying amounts to new and returning students each year.

Rutgers University offers one of the top undergraduate economics programs. It is located in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Rutgers University offers a degree in economics that is rooted in the social sciences. Here, you’ll embark on a journey toward obtaining the knowledge, skills, and tools that you need to understand the intricacies of:

• research
• economic systems
• economic analysis

You will be guided by faculty who are the best in their field, with a faculty member publishing new research here every single year. As you can see, these instructors remain active contributors to the field despite teaching full course loads. You will benefit from their expertise and industry connections.

While enrolled, you will complete 43 total credit hours, 25 of which must be from the core curriculum with the rest being electives. You will also take additional liberal arts courses to round out your full bachelor’s degree. Some of the most popular classes you will take include:

• Economics of Health
• Institutional Economics
• Economics of Labor

Can’t decide whether economics is the right choice for you but know that Rutgers is the right choice? Not to worry. There are plenty of opportunities for you to double major here. Many students choose popular “doubles” like economics with finance to enhance their career prospects.

Do you have what it takes to meet the challenges facing the nation and the world?

The University of Minnesota -Twin Cities thinks that you do. In the undergraduate economics degree program, you will take a global approach to the discipline that will provide you with the skills you need to anticipate, interpret, and solve some of the most pressing challenges in the field of economics. 

The Bachelor of Science in economics is offered by the College of Liberal Arts. It requires 120 total credit hours of study. It’s the perfect pathway for learners who wish to pursue later graduate studies in economics as well as those interested in analytics-based fields (including in a career as an economist). 

In addition to core courses covering basic economics concepts like linear algebra, statistics, and macroeconomics, you will be able to choose from a long list of electives to customize your degree. Some of the most popular choices include:

• Labor Economics
• Cost-Benefit Analysis
• Public Economics
• Industrial Organization and Antitrust Policy

The University of Washington is one of the top undergraduate economics schools. As one of the world’s preeminent public universities, the University of Washington, located in Seattle, WA, knows a thing or two about how to offer some of the best academic programs. With more than 54,000 students currently enrolled, the school is frequently top-ranked by organizations such as U.S. News & World Report.

You will find a rigorous Bachelor of Arts in economics. This degree provides students with meaningful training that will prepare them for work in:

• business administration
• the social sciences
• graduate study in law or business

You’ll take a variety of hands-on, integrative economics courses while you are enrolled, such as Intermediate Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. 

You’ll also be able to choose to complete an internship or an independent research project. Both of these can really help to accelerate your career prospects and will enhance the time you spend at the university. 

A number of study abroad programs are available, too. Some of the most popular for University of Washington economics students include those in:

• France
• the Netherlands
• Thailand
• Germany
• Italy
• Japan

Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, IN, is often seen as predominantly an engineering school. While it’s true that Purdue is a star in this area, engineering is far from the only discipline in which Purdue’s instructors have extensive expertise.

In fact, the economics degree program is so large that it offers two potential options for undergraduate students. It offers both a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts. Both are offered in the Krannert School of Management. Purdue is a great choice for best schools for economics. There is also an honors program for students who keep their GPAs above 3.5.

You will be able to take a variety of rewarding economics courses that cover topics such as:

• tax policy
• banking systems
• structure of industry
• labor unions

You will take up to 120 credits of study. Purdue economics graduates have great outcomes when it comes to their careers. Graduates of this economics degree program enjoying much higher starting salaries than those from many other schools.

 No matter which degree you choose, you will enjoy access to extensive offerings both inside and outside the classroom. For example, the department is home to the Vernon Smith Experimental Economics Laboratory as well as multiple study abroad experiences. You can study abroad in places like:

• Italy
• Australia
• England
• China
• New Zealand
• Sweden
• Korea

This is all while paying the same tuition rates you would pay if you chose to study on-campus.

The University of Florida is another of the best undergraduate economics schools. It is located in Gainesville, FL. The University of Florida is smack dab in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. This school first opened its doors in 1858. It is situated in one of the most idyllic locations in the country.

Chances are if you are interested in the University of Florida’s best economics program, it’s not the ocean that has piqued your interest. Instead it is likely the high academic caliber of this degree in economics. This school is ranked as one of the best in the country among public institutions by the U.S. News & World Report. The Bachelor of Arts in economics is a 120-credit hour program. It will provide you with the critical thinking skills you need to make major economic decisions.

Its many attributes don’t end there. After you complete your core courses in economics (which will cover topics like principles of micro and macroeconomics, statistics, and analytic geometry), you’ll be able to move on to more personally-tailored electives in subjects like:

• international trade
• the economics of sport
• game theory

The school even has enriching study abroad and research opportunities! An affordable school with high-value opportunities, the University of Florida only seems expensive. It’s a great value for students looking to expand their education and career prospects in economics.

Originally the Georgia School of Technology, Georgia Institute of Technology (or “Georgia Tech,” as it is affectionately called) accepted its first class of students in 1888. Today, the school is one of the country’s leading research institutes. Located In the heart of Atlanta, it is home to an award-winning School of Economics.

Here, you’ll be able to choose from three different 120-credit programs in economics. Major options include:

• Economics
• Economics and International Affairs
• Global Economics and Modern Languages

The Bachelor of Science in economics is perhaps the most fundamental of all three programs, offering students a beneficial foundation in math, the humanities, and science. You’ll also be able to take topics in economic analysis and electives such as:

• management
• public policy
• international relations

All students are strongly encouraged to complete two separate internships One of these is frequently carried out by students studying abroad. There are multiple study abroad programs offered in conjunction with this major, as you might expect with the Bachelor of Science in economics and International Affairs (a joint degree that is completed partially overseas). Depending on the major pathway you choose, you may even take up to 24 hours of a foreign language. Georgia Tech is a top choice for best economics programs undergraduate.

As one of the state of Ohio’s first land-grant institutions, Ohio State University has its largest and oldest campus in Columbus, OH. It is one of the top undergraduate economics schools. Choose to attend this school, and you will forever be known as a Buckeye. You’ll benefit from a vast and close-knit alumni network that will provide you with ample career and networking opportunities. 

Not only that, but majoring in economics via the Bachelor of Arts in economics will provide you with access to one of the best-ranked programs in the country. In fact, the Department of Economics here ranks within the top ten of all departments at other public universities in the United States.

You don’t have to settle for a Bachelor of Arts degree, either—the department also offers a Bachelor of Science. No matter which one you choose, you’ll find that this program is broad and highly quantitative, providing graduates with the skills they need to be successful in a variety of econ majors careers. 

You’ll take core classes like:

• Econometrics
• Micro and Macroeconomics
• Intermediate Economic Theory

Later in your studies, you can choose to complete an economic internship or join in on economics-focused student organizations like the Undergraduate Economics Society.

It’s easy to assume that the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill knows what it does well and sticks to the classics. While that’s partially true, the university has been awarding degrees since the 18th century, many of which are still offered today. The school continues to adapt and adjust its programs to keep up with a competitive global market.

Case in point? The economics program. UNC is one of the top economics schools. The school is home to a Bachelor of Arts in economics that, upon first glance, seems like most of the rest around the country. You will take introductory classes in:

• statistics
• economics
• econometrics

However, what’s truly unique about this degree in economics is the opportunity it affords students to pursue one of three available tracks.

The first track is a general economics program that will enable you to study methods and economic theory. The quantitative track is better for students who wish to continue on to graduate school at some point to earn a graduate degree, as it picks on data analysis and economic theory. You will also take advanced courses in econometrics. Finally, there is also an honors track. In this program, you’ll be able to complete an extensive senior thesis program that requires the completion of an extended research project. You’ll graduate with honors, a prestigious designation to have on your resume for sure!

No matter what track you complete, you’ll be able to take innovative courses in things like Economics of Education and Game Theory. There are multidisciplinary pathways available, too, including those in international and health economics.

With campuses scattered all over the state of Washington in Seattle, Bothell, and Tacoma, this public university has its roots in downtown Seattle, where it first offered classes near the Puget Sound in 1861. Today, the school offers one of the country’s best programs in economics.

As with many of the economics degree programs on this list, you will be able to choose from a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science. While the Bachelor of Arts offers a more generic, broad-based approach to the discipline, the Bachelor of Science will provide you with the skills in statistics, mathematics, and quantitative research that you will need to be successful in graduate school while earning a graduate degree. 

Whichever path you choose, you will be able to take enriching classes in:

• macro and microeconomics
• quantitative managerial economics
• economic theory

You’ll also be able to diversify your studies by completing specializations—options include:

• economic theory and quantitative methods
• international economics
• environmental and natural resource economics

You can complete your courses as part of the honors program or even choose to study abroad. All students, regardless of their eventual career goals, receive access to intensive career and academic mentoring here.

Offered by Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, the economics degree at Utah State University is available as both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science.

Without a doubt, this program is one of the best for students seeking a hands-on, integrative education in economics. You’ll learn from faculty experts who are well-respected around the world for their research and teaching. Located in northern Utah, Utah State has an idyllic location that is just minutes from two mountain ranges and within a half-day’s drive to six national parks. 

Here, you’ll enjoy big-school opportunities with a small-town feel. The school is ranked as the fifth-best public university in the country by Washington Monthly and is committed to the success of its students at both the graduate and undergraduate level.

The economics degree has multiple emphases that can be tailored to meet your specific professional goals. You can choose from concentrations in:

• quantitative economic history
• international economics and trade
• pre-law economics, economic theory
• managerial economics

Dual major options in accounting and economics are also available.

Another top school to consider in the Beehive State is Utah Valley University. With campuses in Provo, Heber City, and Orem, Utah Valley is a relatively new school. It has origins as a vocational school that first opened its doors in 1941. Today, the school is home to more than 40,000 students, many of which are nontraditional learners who are also working full-time.

Whether you’re an adult returning to college after some time away or a first-timer seeking an enriching educational experience, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for at Utah Valley University. Here, you can complete a Bachelor of Arts in economics that contains a strong foundation in business economic theory. A 120-credit degree program, it also includes a variety of general education and foreign language courses to help you diversify your training.

Not only that, but you will also take core foundational classes in things like:

• accounting
• microeconomics
• econometrics
• business and economics

You’ll be able to participate in an Entrepreneurship Lecture Series, too, through which you’ll be able to interact with guest speakers from different industries. During your final year, you’ll complete a senior seminar that will enable you to synthesize and bring together everything you’ve learned in your program. Economics graduates from UVU are well prepared to enter the workplace.

Looking for a top undergraduate economics degree program? Pennsylvania State University consistently ranks among the top 1% of the world’s universities. Known for its large student body of more than 100,000 students across 24 campuses along with 17,000 prestigious faculty and staff, the school is committed to student success at all levels.

As a student in the economics program here, you’ll enjoy exemplary access to state-of-the-art resources along with interdisciplinary courses. The Bachelor of Science in business economics is perfect for learners who are interested in pursuing quantitatively-oriented programs of study in applied economics. You’ll take classes in topics like:

• finance
• management information systems
• marketing, accounting

Not only that, but you’ll be given the opportunity to take upper-division economics classes in:

• econometrics
• money and banking
• labor economics
• experimental and behavioral economics

This program is technologically-oriented and is perfect for students who enjoy solving problems with mathematics and logic alone. Offered on all of the Penn State campuses, it provides students with access to the on-campus Economic Research Institute of Erie, a leading authority in economics research and practice.

Offering one of the top undergraduate economics programs, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is located in the state of Wisconsin’s capital city of Madison. The University of Wisconsin-Madison first opened its doors in 1848. Today, this school is home to more than 44,000 students hailing from all 50 states and more than 125 different countries. As a result, the undergraduate major in economics is one of the most diverse and interdisciplinary you will find to help you earn an undergraduate economics degree.

It’s offered by the College of Letters and Science. The Bachelor of Arts in economics includes 120 credit hours of study (including a foreign language) and is offered with two separate completion options. You can choose from a general economics emphasis or an economics-mathematical emphasis. 

Choose the general pathway, and you’ll take classes in subjects like:

• economic theory
• econometrics
• game theory
• statistics

Select the mathematical emphasis, and you’ll complete 30 credits in economics along with four core math courses. 

Regardless of the pathway you choose, you can also choose to complete an honors option. Graduating with honors is simple—you will just have to:

• take an honors tutorial in research
• write an honors thesis
• maintain a 3.5 overall GPA in economics

When you choose to study economics at one of the best economics undergraduate programs at University of Georgia, you’ll be able to select from two high-profile majors—the Bachelor of Arts in economics or the Bachelor of Business Administration in economics. 

Both degrees require the same courses in economics, providing you with a fantastic entry-level understanding of the discipline, but the Bachelor of Arts requires liberal arts electives while the Bachelor of Business Administration includes business electives. You can choose whichever one best coincides with your unique career goals. You may be interested in a particular area of economics such as sports economics. University of Georgia offers a wide variety of courses in unique areas like:

• urban economics
• sports economics
• monetary economics
• international trade
• game theory

You can choose to pursue an additional area of emphasis to further customize your studies, too, with options including consulting and public policy. 

Whichever you choose, you’ll likely take about four years to graduate. The degree offers students the perfect pathway for work in:

• public administration
• financial analysis
• international business
• law school

When you’re right in the middle of your college search, going to school on the beach might sound like an unrealistic fantasy. However, when you choose to enroll at California State University-Long Beach, it’s not just a dream—it could be reality.

Here, you’ll be able to enroll in one of the best Bachelor of Arts in economics in the country while also enjoying everything that Long Beach has to offer, from world-class museums to that amazing beach life. Just 24 miles south of Los Angeles, the campus is home to 37,000 students and covers more than 320 acres. 

The BA in economics is offered as a standalone major, but you can also choose to pursue majors in economic theory or mathematical economics, too. Each degree consists of 120 credit hours of study, with core courses including:

• Calculus
• Economics Theory
• Game Theory
• Urban Economics

You’ll also take core business courses like Financial Accounting to help prepare you for the fast-paced world of business.

In addition to the exciting life you can enjoy off-campus, California State University-Long Beach has plenty of ways for you to get involved on campus, too. For example, the Department of Economics sponsors regular events and seminars and is also home to three separate student organizations.

Choose to study at one of the top undergraduate economic programs at the University of Virginia, and you’ll benefit from a wealth of concentration options. The Bachelor of Arts in economics, offered by the award-winning Department of Economics, will enable you to concentrate your studies in a wide variety of disciplines, including:

• industrial organization
• public policy
• international economics
• financial economics

That’s great news for a student who is having trouble making up his mind about what to study! You’ll be able to pursue a concentration that will enable you to focus your studies on a unique area of interest, all while making yourself a bit more competitive for some of the best and most challenging jobs out there.

You’ll take a variety of courses in topics like:

• Economics of the European Union
• Policy Analysis
• Behavioral Finance
• Economic Forecasting

Before you graduate, you’ll be able to work extensively with the Economics Career Office to help you uncover the resources you need to apply for and land the job of your dreams. The office also has valuable networking connections. The University of Virginia is just a few hours drive from Washington, DC.

Not sure that the University of Virginia is in your price range? Don’t worry! The school offers a variety of departmental scholarships and awards in addition to already-low tuition rates.

Located in Kennesaw, GA, Kennesaw State University has one of the top economic programs. It is one of the 50 largest public universities in the entire country. With more than 150 undergraduate and graduate programs to choose from, it might be tough for you to select a major here—there are so many options at your disposal!

However, you might want to consider the Bachelor of Arts in economics. This program in the undergraduate economics rankings is just one of many that is top-ranked for students by the U.S. News & World Report. Plus, since Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution, among only 6% of the schools in the country to receive such a designation, you’ll have some of the best opportunities to engage in hands-on research here.

This program requires 42 credit hours of general education credits before you’ll go on to an extensive array of core economics courses and electives. You’ll be prepared for a career in:

• trade
• industry
• government
• law
• business
• economics

Core courses and electives include titles such as:

• Short Term Financial Management
• Investments
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Public and Urban Economics

Just one of many schools in the CUNY system of New York City, Bernard M. Baruch College is one of the top economic undergraduate programs. It is one of the city’s premier public colleges. It opened its doors in 1847 as the nation’s first free public college and is now home to more than 18,000 students. At this New York university, you’ll find a wide array of programs in economics, including a Bachelor of Arts in economics and a Bachelor of Business Administration, all offered by the Department of Economics and Finance.

To complete your degree, you will be required to complete core courses like:

• Statistical Analysis
• Intermediate Microeconomics and Macroeconomics

You’ll also be able to pursue coursework in

• finance
• insurance
• economics

You can even choose to take an internship during your senior or junior year, which will usually require about 15 to 20 hours of work per week. 

As a student at CUNY Bernard M. Baruch College in New York, New York, you’ll benefit from the college’s prime location. It is truly second to none, located within close proximity to Wall Street, Midtown, and all the major companies housed therein. You’ll be able to work as an intern at some of the country’s leading financial institutions.

University of Illinois Chicago is one of the best undergraduate economics schools. Although the University of Illinois at Chicago originally began as a string of private health colleges in the 1800s, the university today now is one of the best colleges for economics undergrad. It offers students a more cohesive mission and course delivery system. Here, you’ll find an award-winning economics program at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, one of 15 that offers 87 different bachelor’s programs.

As a major research institute, the University of Illinois at Chicago offers students some of the best opportunities for hands-on learning. The Department of Economics is small, home to only 200 undergraduates, yet enables students to participate in regular research and hands-on learning opportunities. With a low 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio, this program is one of the best for learners seeking a more close-knit approach.

The Bachelor of Arts in Economics has a special focus on applied economics, as well as on related areas like:

• international economics
• urban and public economics
• health economics

You can even pursue a certificate in Teaching Economics through the Centre for Economic Education! 

You will need to take up to 36 credit hours in the major, with core classes including:

• Economic Theory
• Econometrics
• Macroeconomics

Later, you can specialize your degree by pursuing coursework that will enable you to pursue pathways in human resources, pre-graduate studies, or law careers.

The University of Arizona is one of the top economics undergraduate programs. It is located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert in Southern Arizona. Originally founded as one of the country’s first land-grant schools in 1885, this school is a Top 50 Public University, according to the U.S. News & World Report. It’s also ranked as a Top 25 Public Research Institution by the National Science Foundation.

The Bachelor of Arts in economics is offered through the Eller College of Management. It consists of 120 credit hours and combines core courses spanning the liberal arts and economics. You will also complete four semesters of foreign language to give you the global background necessary to handle this international discipline. 

While enrolled, you will take a variety of hands-on classes in things like:

• business communications
• economic development
• law and economics

You’ll be able to participate in an internship, too, which will provide you with substantial real-world training in economics.

Many students also choose to complete an independent study and/or a senior capstone. You can choose to take your core major courses by themselves or as a BSBA in business economics if you’d prefer a program that is more business-oriented.

Michigan State University is one of the best economics colleges. It is located in East Lansing, MI. It has a strategic location just an hour and a half west of Detroit. Michigan State University was founded in 1855. It has origins as a land-grant institution. Today, the school is one of the top research institutes in the country. 

In fact, it’s ranked as the 35th best public university according to the U.S. News & World Report. Here, you can choose between a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in economics. Regardless of the option you choose, you’ll be able to take core classes in:

• data analysis
• mathematics
• computer science
• econometric methods

Choose the Bachelor of Science, and your courses will be primarily quantitative in nature. You’ll learn how to incorporate science and math in incorporating key economic theories. The Bachelor of Arts, however, focuses less on statistics and computers and more on the social sciences. This degree is more interdisciplinary. 

Either way, you’ll have the option of choosing a business cognate, which will require you to complete four 300-level marketing or business courses before you graduate. It provides academic excellence and excellent preparation for economics graduates to have a career in a fast-paced business setting.

As a 200-year old institution, Indiana University-Bloomington really knows its stuff when it comes to educating the leaders of tomorrow while offering one of the best undergraduate economics programs.

Here is where you will find one of the best Bachelor of Arts in economics. This program, one of many at this school of nearly 43,000 students, is one of the best for aspiring economists. You’ll be able to choose from a long list of core economics classes such as those in:

• econometrics
• mathematical modeling
• statics

You can also choose from multiple concentrations. 

Some popular concentration options include:

• international and development economics
• advanced computation/econometric tools
• economics of the public sector
• financial and monetary economics

In addition to a concentration, you can complete an internship either in the United States or overseas with both foreign language and traditional study abroad learning programs available. 

Even joint degrees are available here to help you further customize your credentials. Some of the most popular tracks include joint programs in economics and math as well as those in economics and political science.

One of the top undergraduate economics schools, Arizona State University is located just outside the city limits of Phoenix, AZ. Arizona State University-Tempe first opened its doors in 1886. In fact, this school has been around longer than Arizona has even been a state! Despite its antiquated legacy, the school is nonetheless ranked as one of the most innovative schools by the U.S. News & World Report.

The Bachelor of Science in economics is offered through the W.P. Carey School of Business. It’s available as a stand-alone major or as a Bachelor of Science in politics and the economy via the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Whichever you choose, you will complete around 120 credit hours of study that will prepare you for a career in:

• economics
• law, finance
• banking

The economics program includes coursework such as:

• Economics
• Accounting
• Finance
• Business Analysis

A final capstone will bring together everything you have learned so far in your core and elective courses.

Although the University of California-San Diego first opened as a school for budding oceanographists, the school is now a top destination for students of all majors and backgrounds from all over the country. 

It’s located right in the heart of La Jolla, CA, just north of San Diego’s bustling downtown area. Here, you’ll enjoy a vibrant college life without paying a fortune for your education. In fact, this school ranked as the second-best College For Your Money by Money magazine. 

There are two economics degrees you can choose from here—the Bachelor of Arts in economics and the Bachelor of Science in mathematics and economics. The Bachelor of Arts in economics is a broad-based degree that puts an emphasis on econometrics and macroeconomics. The joint math-economics degree is STEM-eligible and perfect for students with a strong mathematics background. 

And if your heart lies in the business disciplines, don’t worry—this university has something for you, too. You can choose to pursue a Bachelor of Science in management science. This is an economics program with a management specialization.

Iowa State University, located in Ames, IA, has origins as a land-grant institution. It has one of the best economics programs undergrad. Founded in 1869, this once-small university is now home to more than 35,000 students spread out among just ten colleges and schools. With more than 100 majors to choose from, you might have a hard time choosing the right one for your needs and career goals.

Fortunately, most of these degrees are deeply rooted in the liberal arts, so you’re likely to get a solid liberal arts training regardless of which pathway you pursue. The Bachelor of Science in economics, though, is easily one of the top programs you should consider.

This degree is a 120-credit hour program offered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. It includes up to 29 credits of economics courses, including those in econometrics and macroeconomics. There is a related program in business economics, too, which includes 122 credit hours of courses in:

• business
• finance
• management
• economics

Your education will be enhanced both in the classroom as well as out. At Iowa State University, you’ll be able to interact on a daily basis with campus activities like the Economics Club, guest speaker events, and annual workshops and trips to places like Berkshire Hathaway.

Another one of the top CUNY schools for economics for you to consider is CUNY Hunter College. This New York university school blends both the science and liberal arts, offering dozens of majors to more than 23,000 students. Here, the Bachelor of Arts in economics has a relatively straightforward and basic set of core courses.

The economics program includes coursework such as:

• Statistics
• Microeconomics
• Econometrics
• Calculus

After completing your core prerequisites, you can go on to more specialized classes like:

• Public Finance
• Money and Banking
• Managerial Economics
• Economic Development

In general, economics students will complete their studies with just 120 credit hours of study. 

You’ll be given plenty of wiggle room to customize your degree toward your unique preferences, too. For example, you can choose to complete an independent study program or you can enroll in the honors program. There is a thesis pathway as well as an accelerated bachelor’s and master’s program, too. This accelerated degree will enable you to complete both your undergraduate degree and graduate degree in the time it would normally take you to just complete the bachelor’s.

Fort Hays State University, located in Hays, KS, offers undergraduates a unique opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in international business and economics.

This unique program will provide you with extensive expertise in a number of areas of:

• finance
• marketing
• management
• accounting
• economics

Economics students will be able to focus uniquely on the international facets of resource markets and products, as well as core business practices on a global scale.

You’ll take about 27 credit hours of core business courses such as:

• Management Principles
• Marketing Principles
• Business Policy

Then, you’ll be able to move on to courses in the international business and economics area, such as:

• International Economics
• International Marketing
• International Finance

With courses available both online and on-campus, this degree provides highly sought-after training in core areas. You’ll have access to some of the best and most extensive student resources. You’ll enjoy in-depth mentoring by faculty and staff who want nothing more than to see you succeed. Not only that, but you’ll benefit from a large array of career-centered internship opportunities, too.

With campuses all over the state of Minnesota in Twin Cities, Morris, Rochester, Crookston, and more, it might be easy to overlook the many opportunities available for economics majors at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, one of the top economics schools. 

But don’t—this campus offers one of the best economics programs. This land-grant university works in partnership with some of the country’s top research institutions, giving you ample opportunities to engage in relevant career-oriented research.  Economics students will be able to take all kinds of classes in subjects like:

• econometrics
• microeconomics
• macroeconomics

Once the foundational courses are out of the way, you will have unlimited flexibility in how you choose to design your program. You might complete a minor in:

• sustainability
• policy
• management
• experiential studies.

The University of Minnesota-Duluth uses the phrase “experiential studies” loosely—you’ll be given maximum flexibility in how you choose to complete this portion of your degree, with options including:

• research
• internships
• study abroad

If you want to study economics, you’re going to have to have a good head on your shoulders. Specifically, that means you’re going to need to be able to think analytically, to be a creative problem-solver, and to have solid interests in:

• business strategy
• public policy
• economics

No matter where you might be starting from, the University of Alabama has programs that will help you succeed. The Bachelor of Science in economics, offered by the Culverhouse College of Business, is one of the best options for pre-law students as well as those interested in pursuing a career in:

• business administration
• public administration
• public policy
• economics
• finance

Economics students will take at least 27 credit hours of core major courses before you move on to a concentration of your own choosing. Options include:

• econometrics and quantitative economics
• economic policy
• finance/economics double major

Regardless of the option you choose, you’ll enjoy access to dedicated student resources, such as career services, to help partner you with the job of a lifetime.

Weber State University is a Utah school that’s ideal for nontraditional learners. In fact, nearly 80% of all Weber students already have jobs, and more than half attend Weber part-time. The school offers a multitude of locations along with scheduling via remote, evening, and weekend classes. 

The result? Economics students can earn a bachelor’s degree in economics without having to leave home or your current professional or personal obligations. Even if you are fresh out of high school, Weber likely has programs that will work well for you. The Bachelor of Science in economics is offered by the John B. Goddard School of Business and Economics. It consists of 120 credit hours of study, 25 of which consist of core economics and business courses like Economics Foundations and Admission. 

Once these core courses are complete, you can move on to upper-division electives like:

• Women in the World Economy
• Public Finance
• Money and Banking

The school offers one of the best returns on investment in the state of Utah, offering students small class sizes with 100% faculty instruction. You will enjoy classes with fewer than 30 students apiece and learn only from faculty members who are experienced in their areas of instruction—no TAs!

If you are undecided about where you want your economics degree to take you, you might want to consider enrolling at Georgia Southern University. Here, you can choose from two separate undergraduate degrees in economics—the Bachelor of Arts in economics and the Bachelor of Business Administration in economics.

Both offer an excellent pathway for careers in:

• economics
• business
• public policy
• law
• regional development

They are also great options for economics students who wish to become graduate students and pursue master’s degrees or graduate certificates (two of which Georgia Southern also offers). 

The Bachelor of Arts in economics will blend the liberal arts with the core business skills you need to be successful. Graduates of this program have enriching careers with companies like:

• AFLAC
• Colony Bank
• JPMorgan Chase and Company
• Bank of America
• Verizon

You’ll be able to expand your classroom learning with off-campus opportunities at companies like Make-a-Wish Georgia, World Trade Center Savannah, and many more.