by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Applied Economics involves the study of Applied Economics. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Economic Principles And Analytical Techniques To The Study Of Particular Industries, Activities, Or The Exploitation Of Particular Resources. Includes Instruction In Economic Theory; Microeconomic Analysis And Modeling Of Specific Industries, Commodities; The Economic Consequences Of Resource Allocation Decisions; Regulatory And Consumer Factors; And The Technical Aspects Of Specific Subjects As They Relate To Economic Analysis. Examples: [Behavioral And Experimental Economics]. Continue reading for the key facts every applied economics major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering applied economics programs.
Across the country, applied economics is a widely-pursued major, with 368 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Applied Economics Schools ranking analyzes these 31 schools to determine the best overall colleges for applied economics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of applied economics programs later in this article.
Coursework for Applied Economics build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations applied economics graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a applied economics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a applied economics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several applied 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 221 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 137 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 10 |
People currently working in careers related to applied economics tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 41.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 23.7% |
| Master’s degree | 17.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 2.9% |
| Some college courses | 2.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in applied economics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in applied economics prepares you for a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to applied economics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to applied economics.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | 830,747 | 2.9% |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | 671,367 | 10.3% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | 206,415 | 9.9% |
| Search Marketing Strategists | 199,758 | 8.2% |
| Social Science Research Assistants | 153,535 | 4.7% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of applied economics graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $56,270 |
| 4 years | $74,609 |
| 5 years | $87,950 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for applied economics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers applied economics grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $124,518 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Survey Researchers | $108,538 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
With 31 different applied economics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased applied economics school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in applied economics, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 22,727 |
| Economics, General | 21,627 |
| Development Economics and International Development | 375 |
| International Economics | 281 |
| Economics, Other | 250 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
