by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in General Economics covers Economics, General. A General Program That Focuses On The Systematic Study Of The Production, Conservation And Allocation Of Resources In Conditions Of Scarcity, Together With The Organizational Frameworks Related To These Processes. Includes Instruction In Economic Theory, Micro- And Macroeconomics, Comparative Economic Systems, Money And Banking Systems, International Economics, Quantitative Analytical Methods, And Applications To Specific Industries And Public Policy Issues. Read on to learn the key facts every general economics major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general economics programs.
In the U.S., general economics is a widely-pursued major, with 21,627 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Economics Schools ranking analyzes these 659 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general economics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general economics programs later in this article.
Coursework for General Economics emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general economics graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a general economics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a general economics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general 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 | 1 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 4,405 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 16,432 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 679 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 110 |
People currently working in careers related to general economics tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 44.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 25.7% |
| Master’s degree | 10.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 4.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.9% |
| Some college courses | 1.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.9% |
| 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 general economics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying general economics prepares you for a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to general economics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general economics.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | 830,747 | 2.9% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| 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% |
| Social Science Research Assistants | 153,535 | 4.7% |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | 128,884 | 5.2% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of general economics graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb 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 general economics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general economics grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| 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 |
| Environmental Economists | $86,726 |
With 659 different general economics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general economics school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in general 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 |
| Development Economics and International Development | 375 |
| Applied Economics | 368 |
| International Economics | 281 |
| Economics, Other | 250 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
