Economics and finance majors are prepared for graduate school and for management positions in business, government, and nonprofit organizations.
Students who choose graduate school typically pursue international business, economics, business administration (M.B.A.), or law. Recent graduates have been hired as cost accountants, mortgage banking supervisors, high school social studies teachers, retirement program control representatives, and aides to state legislators. Typical hiring firms include banks, investment firms, Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and nonprofit and government agencies.
Professions for Students with Economics and Finance Degrees
Accountant
Actuary
Board member, Federal Reserve
Bond-rating agency analyst
Business analyst
Business consultant
Business economist
Commercial loan officer
Communications officer
Corporate auditor
Corporate finance officer
Corporate lawyer
Credit analyst
Director of sales
District attorney
Environmental lawyer
Fellow risk manager
Finance officer at university or college
Financial adviser
Financial engineer
Fixed income trader
Grants coordinator
Hedge fund manager
Hiring logistics specialist
Human resource manager
Insurance agent
IRS treasury analyst
Labor lawyer
Labor management special
Law enforcement
Managing director
Manufacturing
Margin analyst
Mortgage loan officer
Mutual fund manager
Portfolio manager
Private investment counselor
Professor
Property appraiser
Real estate broker
Retirement specialist
Risk manager
Securities analyst
Stockbroker
Systems analyst
Teacher
Economics and Finance Salaries
May 2020, the median annual wages for economists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
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2020 Medium pay: $108,350 per year or $52.09 per hour
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Economists.
Graduate Study
Students wishing to pursue a Ph.D. in economics, finance, and related fields should take, at a minimum, two courses in calculus and one in linear algebra. The better MBA programs require at least one semester of calculus. Graduate departments vary widely, so you should discuss your goals with your advisor and as many other faculty members as possible.
Our department's MBA adviser is Dr. Ted Byrley.
- Information on our master's in applied economics
- The MBA Information Site. Use their search engine to locate MBA programs and gather information on MBA programs.
- Erudera Rankings of Business Schools
National Median Pay
Bureau of Labor Statistics
2020 median pay
MA in economics – no experience
$108,350 per year