by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Business Economics involves the study of Business/managerial Economics. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Economics Principles To The Analysis Of The Organization And Operation Of Business Enterprises. Includes Instruction In Monetary Theory, Banking And Financial Systems, Theory Of Competition, Pricing Theory, Wage And Salary/incentive Theory, Analysis Of Markets, And Applications Of Econometrics And Quantitative Methods To The Study Of Particular Businesses And Business Problems. Continue reading for the key facts every business economics major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering business economics programs.
Nationwide, business economics is a widely-pursued major, with 4,583 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Business Economics Schools ranking analyzes these 193 schools to determine the best overall colleges for business economics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of business economics programs later in this article.
Studies in Business Economics emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations business economics graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a business economics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a business economics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several business 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 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 economics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in business economics opens doors to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to business economics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to business 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% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of business economics graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb 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 economics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers business 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 economics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased business economics school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
