Economics
Undergraduate Overview
Economics is a social science that studies the interactions of individuals, firms and governments. Economists investigate social questions and problems such as discrimination, pollution, poverty, unemployment, efficiency, growth, inflation, optimal policy and resource allocation, among others.
At the same time, the field of economics is essential to understanding the business world and it provides the foundation for applications in accounting, finance, management and marketing. An economics education leads to career opportunities in business, education and government, as well as non-governmental and non-profit organizations. It is valuable as a major or minor for those planning to pursue further professional or graduate training in business administration, industrial and labor relations, international relations, law, and public policy and administration.
The curriculum is divided into economic theory, quantitative methods and a variety of applied subfields. Students who are considering graduate work in economics or related business disciplines should consider a minor in mathematics or a double major in economics and mathematics.
The College of Business and Economics also offers a rich breadth of co-curricular activities to enhance student development and learning outcomes, including award-winning student organizations, internship opportunities and applied learning through the Fiscal and Economic Research Center (FERC).
In addition to the on-campus program, the Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics is available online. No matter how you complete your degree, the curriculum and learning outcomes will be the same. For more information on completing your degree online, visit UW-Whitewater Online.
The UW-Whitewater Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics requires a minimum of 120 credits, including:
- General education requirements
- Business requirements
- Major requirements
- Electives (to bring the total to at least 120 credits)
Information on the requirements specific to the economics major can be found in the Course Catalog. Major video guides and course planning sheets are also available in Four Year Planning Resources.
Economics is also available as a minor through the College of Letters and Science for both business and non-business students. Requirements can be found in the College of Business and Economics listing of minors and certificates.
Job Outlook
National employment growth for economists is expected to be 8 percent1 from 2018 to 2028, and projected growth in Wisconsin is 5.7 percent2 for the same period. Though most economist positions require an advanced degree, some entry-level jobs found within the government may only require a bachelor's degree.
Economics majors are not limited to economist positions, however. The mathematical, analytical and critical thinking skills developed through the curriculum and co-curricular activities lay a strong foundation for nearly any career path.
National Median Pay (2019)1
$105,020 per year
Number of Economist Jobs in the United States (2018)1
21,000
Number of Economist Jobs in Wisconsin (2016)2
300
UW-Whitewater Placement Information
Placement Rate3
100%
Highlighted Employers4
American Family Insurance, Batteries Plus Bulbs, Epic, Kansasa Financial Services, Sentry Insurance, U.S. Bank
Common Titles4
Business Analyst, Client Success Analyst, Data Analyst, Product Analyst, Securities Specialist, Statistical Analyst
1 Bureau of Labor and Statistics - Occupational Handbook: Economists
2 Projections Central - Long Term Occupational Projections (Search Economists - Wisconsin)
3 Based on survey responses for the 2019-20 UW-Whitewater graduating class
4 Based on survey responses for 2017 - 2019 UW-Whitewater graduates