by our College Data Analytics TeamWhether or not your realize it, your lifestyle is determined by the market, whether that is the price of gas, or the cost of a new home or the wages you receive for your work. Everyone is involved in economic activity in some way or another. A business needs to be aware of the economics of the market in order to effectively sell their product. Some examples would be how many individuals they can afford to hire, or how selling inventory will affect the businesses bottom-line.
Majoring in Business and Managerial Economics educates students in how to use economic principles to analysis the organization and operation of business enterprises. Students take a mix of business and economic courses, such as Accounting, Financial marketing, Economics of regulation, Business policy and strategic management, and Econometrics. This major is commonly offered as a Bachelor's degree, however can be taken at an Associate's level.
A major in Business/Managerial Economics explores Business/managerial Economics. Read on to learn the essential details every business/managerial economics major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering business/managerial economics programs.
In the U.S., business/managerial economics is a widely-pursued major, with 4,583 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Business/Managerial Economics Schools ranking analyzes these 193 schools to determine the best overall colleges for business/managerial economics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of business/managerial economics programs later in this article.
Programs in Business/Managerial Economics build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations business/managerial economics graduates commonly enter.
Students should be prepared for the advanced math classes involved in this major. You will also be aided by an analytical and creative mind when solving difficult problems or coming up with new theories. There is an emphasis of group work in many of the classes you will be taking. Students will need to work on their people skills and time management. In order to prepare for this major, students are advised to take course in Macroeconomics, Statistics, Business, Calculus, and Computer applications.
Skills built by a business/managerial economics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a business/managerial economics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several business/managerial economics degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 52 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 37 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 4,390 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 97 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 7 |
People currently working in careers related to business/managerial economics tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 49.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 22.2% |
| Master’s degree | 16.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 5.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.9% |
| Some college courses | 2.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.3% |
| First professional degree | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in business/managerial economics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Graduates of Business and Managerial Economics find themselves in several different career fields. These include Financial Mangers, Financial Analysts, Management Consultants, Top Executives, and Economists. All of these careers handle company's success in terms of profitability and growth. Financial Analysts analyze businesses and provide strategies to help them reach their financial goals. Economists analyze the factors that influence the market and study the selling and buying of products and services within the company.
A degree in business/managerial economics prepares you for a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to business/managerial economics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to business/managerial economics.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | 830,747 | 2.9% |
| Financial Risk Specialists | 684,551 | -3.8% |
| Management Analysts | 484,759 | 12.6% |
| Environmental Economists | 77,620 | 8.5% |
| Survey Researchers | 76,556 | 11.1% |
| Economists | 38,399 | 11.4% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of business/managerial economics graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $52,230 |
| 4 years | $71,518 |
| 5 years | $83,767 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for business/managerial economics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers business/managerial economics grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Financial Risk Specialists | $127,364 |
| Survey Researchers | $108,538 |
| Environmental Economists | $86,726 |
| Economists | $73,611 |
| Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | $69,831 |
| Management Analysts | $51,034 |
With 193 different business/managerial economics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased business/managerial economics school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in business/managerial economics, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business/Managerial Economics | 4,583 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 402,942 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 81,835 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 62,236 |
| Business/Commerce, General | 57,976 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 57,564 |
| Marketing | 53,750 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 25,424 |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services | 16,153 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 14,306 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 13,333 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
