Business Economics: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Business Economics equips students with a rigorous analytical foundation to understand how economic principles shape business decision-making, market dynamics, and organizational performance. This interdisciplinary program integrates core economic theory with practical applications in corporate strategy, financial management, and market behavior, preparing graduates to evaluate complex business challenges through a quantitative and evidence-based lens.
- Monetary Theory: Explores the role of money, inflation, and interest rates in influencing economic activity and business investment decisions.
- Banking and Financial Systems: Examines the structure, function, and regulatory frameworks of financial institutions and capital markets.
- Theory of Competition: Analyzes market structures and competitive strategies across industries, including oligopolies, monopolistic competition, and market entry barriers.
- Pricing Theory: Investigates how firms determine optimal pricing strategies based on demand elasticity, cost structures, and competitive positioning.
- Wage and Salary/Incentive Theory: Studies the design of compensation systems and incentive mechanisms to align employee behavior with organizational objectives.
- Market Analysis: Develops skills in assessing market trends, consumer behavior, and industry competitiveness using both qualitative and quantitative tools.
- Econometrics and Quantitative Methods: Applies statistical and mathematical models to analyze business data, forecast outcomes, and evaluate policy or strategic initiatives.
Business Economics Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Business Economics Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Business Economics degrees, including Economics Teachers, Postsecondary, Economists and Financial Risk Specialists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 986,240 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economics Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1063 | $119,980 | $57,550 - $217,160 | 12,420 | N/A |
| Economists 19-3011 | $115,440 | $62,340 - $212,710 | 15,880 | $55.50 |
| Financial Risk Specialists 13-2054 | $106,000 | $62,270 - $182,310 | 56,320 | $50.96 |
| Management Analysts 13-1111 | $101,190 | $59,720 - $174,140 | 893,900 | $48.65 |
| Survey Researchers 19-3022 | $63,380 | $36,950 - $118,730 | 7,720 | $30.47 |
Salary Comparison
Business Economics Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $71,535 in North Dakota to $126,790 in District of Columbia—a 77% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 986,240 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Business Economics by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Business Economics programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Business Economics is found at University of California (UCI), Irvine (493 graduates), University of California (UCSC), Santa Cruz (306 graduates), University of Georgia (UGA) (195 graduates), South Dakota State University (SDSU) (155 graduates), and SUNY Oneonta (135 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 4,157 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Admissions | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California (UCI) |
Bachelor's
|
493 | N/A | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| University of California (UCSC) |
Bachelor's
|
306 | N/A | Santa Cruz, California | Public | ucsc.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
|
195 |
SAT: 1160-1390 ACT: 25-32 |
Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| South Dakota State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
|
155 |
SAT: 1040-1300 ACT: 19-26 |
Brookings, South Dakota | Public | sdstate.edu |
| SUNY Oneonta |
Bachelor's
|
135 |
SAT: 1090-1250 ACT: 23-28 |
Oneonta, New York | Public | suny.oneonta.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
|
106 |
SAT: 1330-1480 ACT: 29-32 |
Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Bachelor's
|
96 |
SAT: 1300-1460 ACT: 28-32 |
Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| State University of New York |
Bachelor's
|
92 | N/A | Cortland, New York | Public | www2.cortland.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
80 | N/A | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| CUNY Bernard M Baruch College |
Bachelor's
|
71 | SAT: 1210-1410 | New York, New York | Public | baruch.cuny.edu |
| Miami University |
Bachelor's
|
66 |
SAT: 1210-1380 ACT: 26-31 |
Oxford, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) |
Bachelor's
|
64 |
SAT: 1100-1270 ACT: 24-28 |
West Chester, Pennsylvania | Public | wcupa.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Bachelor's
|
59 |
SAT: 1080-1290 ACT: 21-28 |
Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Bachelor's
|
58 |
SAT: 1180-1380 ACT: 26-32 |
Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
| Westmont College |
Bachelor's
|
55 |
SAT: 1212-1418 ACT: 30-34 |
Santa Barbara, California | Private | westmont.edu |
| Wheaton College |
Bachelor's
|
54 |
SAT: 1260-1440 ACT: 27-32 |
Wheaton, Illinois | Private | wheaton.edu |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Bachelor's
|
52 |
SAT: 1190-1350 ACT: 25-29 |
Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
| Northwestern University |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
52 |
SAT: 1490-1560 ACT: 33-35 |
Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
| Grand Valley State University (GVSU) |
Bachelor's
|
51 |
SAT: 940-1190 ACT: 21-28 |
Allendale, Michigan | Public | gvsu.edu |
| Georgia State University |
Bachelor's
|
50 |
SAT: 1040-1280 ACT: 19-26 |
Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gsu.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
49 |
SAT: 1290-1450 ACT: 28-32 |
Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| Chapman University |
Bachelor's
|
48 |
SAT: 1250-1430 ACT: 28-32 |
Orange, California | Private | chapman.edu |
| Lehigh University |
Bachelor's
|
48 |
SAT: 1350-1490 ACT: 31-33 |
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Private | lehigh.edu |
| Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Bachelor's
|
47 |
SAT: 1500-1570 ACT: 33-35 |
Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
| California State University (CSULB) |
Bachelor's
|
44 | N/A | Long Beach, California | Public | csulb.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTSA) |
Bachelor's
|
44 |
SAT: 1000-1200 ACT: 19-26 |
San Antonio, Texas | Public | utsa.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Bachelor's
|
43 |
SAT: 1330-1470 ACT: 30-33 |
Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| Hampden-Sydney College (H‑SC) |
Bachelor's
|
43 |
SAT: 1060-1230 ACT: 22-31 |
Hampden-Sydney, Virginia | Private | hsc.edu |
| West Virginia University (WVU) |
Bachelor's
|
43 |
SAT: 1010-1240 ACT: 20-26 |
Morgantown, West Virginia | Public | wvu.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Bachelor's
|
42 |
SAT: 1140-1330 ACT: 23-29 |
Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| Weber State University (WSU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
42 | N/A | Ogden, Utah | Public | weber.edu |
| DePaul University |
Bachelor's
|
38 |
SAT: 1130-1340 ACT: 26-31 |
Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| University of Dayton (UD) |
Bachelor's
|
38 |
SAT: 1195-1370 ACT: 26-31 |
Dayton, Ohio | Private | udayton.edu |
| Saint Louis University (SLU) |
Bachelor's
|
36 |
SAT: 1210-1430 ACT: 26-31 |
Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | slu.edu |
| University of Arkansas (U of A) |
Bachelor's
|
35 |
SAT: 1050-1220 ACT: 21-28 |
Fayetteville, Arkansas | Public | uark.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Bachelor's
|
35 |
SAT: 1160-1340 ACT: 27-31 |
Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| Oklahoma State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
35 |
SAT: 1030-1240 ACT: 20-27 |
Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | okstate.edu |
| Appalachian State University (App State) |
Bachelor's
|
34 |
SAT: 1100-1280 ACT: 21-27 |
Boone, North Carolina | Public | appstate.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Bachelor's
|
34 |
SAT: 1190-1340 ACT: 25-31 |
Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
Bachelor's
|
32 |
SAT: 1110-1320 ACT: 21-27 |
Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | charlotte.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
|
31 |
SAT: 1160-1420 ACT: 21-30 |
Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| Suffolk University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
30 |
SAT: 1090-1280 ACT: 24-32 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Private | suffolk.edu |
| Texas State University (TXST) |
Bachelor's
|
30 |
SAT: 980-1190 ACT: 19-26 |
San Marcos, Texas | Public | txst.edu |
| Troy University (TROY) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
28 |
SAT: 950-1160 ACT: 18-25 |
Troy, Alabama | Public | troy.edu |
| Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) |
Bachelor's
|
28 |
SAT: 1030-1270 ACT: 22-30 |
Richmond, Virginia | Public | vcu.edu |
| Seton Hall University (SHU) |
Bachelor's
|
27 |
SAT: 1220-1400 ACT: 27-31 |
South Orange, New Jersey | Private | shu.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Bachelor's
|
27 |
SAT: 1000-1170 ACT: 19-25 |
Spartanburg, South Carolina | Public | uscupstate.edu |
| Kennesaw State University (KSU) |
Bachelor's
|
27 |
SAT: 1020-1220 ACT: 19-25 |
Kennesaw, Georgia | Public | kennesaw.edu |
| Allegheny College |
Bachelor's
|
26 |
SAT: 1140-1350 ACT: 25-31 |
Meadville, Pennsylvania | Private | allegheny.edu |
| Wofford College |
Bachelor's
|
25 |
SAT: 1200-1350 ACT: 27-31 |
Spartanburg, South Carolina | Private | wofford.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTEP) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
25 |
SAT: 870-1090 ACT: 17-23 |
El Paso, Texas | Public | utep.edu |
| The College of Wooster |
Bachelor's
|
24 |
SAT: 1250-1450 ACT: 27-32 |
Wooster, Ohio | Private | wooster.edu |
| University of Idaho (U of I) |
Bachelor's
|
23 |
SAT: 950-1200 ACT: 20-29 |
Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) |
Bachelor's
|
23 |
SAT: 1150-1330 ACT: 24-29 |
Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | lsu.edu |
| Bentley University |
Bachelor's
|
23 |
SAT: 1250-1410 ACT: 29-32 |
Waltham, Massachusetts | Private | bentley.edu |
| Wichita State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
22 |
SAT: 970-1250 ACT: 18-26 |
Wichita, Kansas | Public | wichita.edu |
| Belmont University |
Bachelor's
|
21 |
SAT: 1160-1350 ACT: 23-30 |
Nashville, Tennessee | Private | belmont.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
|
21 |
SAT: 990-1230 ACT: 18-26 |
Arlington, Texas | Public | uta.edu |
| Samford University |
Bachelor's
|
20 |
SAT: 1070-1260 ACT: 23-29 |
Birmingham, Alabama | Private | samford.edu |
| Ashford University (UAGC) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | N/A | San Diego, California | Private | uagc.edu |
| Western Kentucky University (WKU) |
Bachelor's
|
20 |
SAT: 820-1010 ACT: 16-20 |
Bowling Green, Kentucky | Public | wku.edu |
| University of Alabama (UAB) |
Bachelor's
|
19 |
SAT: 1130-1400 ACT: 22-30 |
Birmingham, Alabama | Public | uab.edu |
| Santa Clara University (SCU) |
Bachelor's
|
19 |
SAT: 1340-1500 ACT: 30-33 |
Santa Clara, California | Private | scu.edu |
| Loyola University Maryland |
Bachelor's
|
19 |
SAT: 1180-1350 ACT: 27-32 |
Baltimore, Maryland | Private | loyola.edu |
| Harvard University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
18 |
SAT: 1500-1580 ACT: 34-36 |
Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| University of Memphis (UofM) |
Bachelor's
|
18 |
SAT: 905-1205 ACT: 17-24 |
Memphis, Tennessee | Public | memphis.edu |
| Mississippi State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
17 |
SAT: 1110-1410 ACT: 21-29 |
Mississippi State, Mississippi | Public | msstate.edu |
| Coastal Carolina University (CCU) |
Bachelor's
|
17 |
SAT: 1050-1210 ACT: 20-26 |
Conway, South Carolina | Public | coastal.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU Pueblo) |
Bachelor's
|
16 |
SAT: 870-1100 ACT: 19-25 |
Pueblo, Colorado | Public | csupueblo.edu |
| Georgia Southern University |
Bachelor's
|
16 |
SAT: 980-1160 ACT: 18-23 |
Statesboro, Georgia | Public | georgiasouthern.edu |
| Xavier University (XU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 |
SAT: 1060-1298 ACT: 22-29 |
Cincinnati, Ohio | Private | xavier.edu |
| Seattle University (Seattle U) |
Bachelor's
|
16 |
SAT: 1130-1350 ACT: 23-30 |
Seattle, Washington | Private | seattleu.edu |
| Marquette University |
Bachelor's
|
16 |
SAT: 1190-1360 ACT: 26-31 |
Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | marquette.edu |
| University of Wyoming (UW) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | N/A | Laramie, Wyoming | Public | uwyo.edu |
| Georgia College & State University |
Bachelor's
|
15 |
SAT: 1060-1240 ACT: 21-26 |
Milledgeville, Georgia | Public | gcsu.edu |
| University of Southern Mississippi (USM) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
15 | ACT: 19-27 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Public | usm.edu |
| Union College |
Bachelor's
|
15 |
SAT: 1310-1480 ACT: 30-33 |
Schenectady, New York | Private | union.edu |
| University of North Texas (UNT) |
Bachelor's
|
15 |
SAT: 980-1230 ACT: 19-27 |
Denton, Texas | Public | unt.edu |
| Valdosta State University (VSU) |
Bachelor's
|
14 |
SAT: 950-1130 ACT: 17-23 |
Valdosta, Georgia | Public | valdosta.edu |
| Patrick Henry College (PHC) |
Bachelor's
|
14 |
SAT: 1220-1430 ACT: 26-31 |
Purcellville, Virginia | Private | phc.edu |
| University of West Georgia (UWG) |
Bachelor's
|
13 |
SAT: 930-1130 ACT: 17-23 |
Carrollton, Georgia | Public | westga.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | N/A | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| Greensboro College |
Bachelor's
|
13 | N/A | Greensboro, North Carolina | Private | greensboro.edu |
| The University of Tennessee (UTC) |
Bachelor's
|
13 |
SAT: 1005-1185 ACT: 20-25 |
Chattanooga, Tennessee | Public | utc.edu |
| University of Alabama (UAH) |
Bachelor's
|
12 |
SAT: 1195-1440 ACT: 25-31 |
Huntsville, Alabama | Public | uah.edu |
| University of Louisville (UofL) |
Bachelor's
|
12 |
SAT: 1020-1250 ACT: 19-27 |
Louisville, Kentucky | Public | louisville.edu |
| University of North Dakota (UND) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | N/A | Grand Forks, North Dakota | Public | und.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
|
12 |
SAT: 1100-1290 ACT: 22-28 |
Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
12 |
SAT: 1110-1320 ACT: 23-28 |
Erie, Pennsylvania | Public | behrend.psu.edu |
| Francis Marion University (FMU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 |
SAT: 900-1138 ACT: 17-23 |
Florence, South Carolina | Public | fmarion.edu |
| University of Maine (UMF) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | SAT: 915-1210 | Farmington, Maine | Public | umf.maine.edu |
| West Texas A & M University (WTAMU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 |
SAT: 960-1160 ACT: 18-24 |
Canyon, Texas | Public | wtamu.edu |
| Virginia State University (VSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11 |
SAT: 800-1050 ACT: 14-20 |
Petersburg, Virginia | Public | vsu.edu |
| Louisiana Tech University (LA Tech) |
Bachelor's
|
10 |
SAT: 1045-1290 ACT: 21-27 |
Ruston, Louisiana | Public | latech.edu |
| East Tennessee State University (ETSU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 |
SAT: 950-1170 ACT: 19-26 |
Johnson City, Tennessee | Public | etsu.edu |
| Lamar University (LU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 |
SAT: 910-1130 ACT: 18-24 |
Beaumont, Texas | Public | lamar.edu |
| Stephen F Austin State University (SFASU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 |
SAT: 980-1160 ACT: 18-25 |
Nacogdoches, Texas | Public | sfasu.edu |
| Universidad Ana G. Mendez (UAGM Cupey) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | N/A | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Private | uagm.edu |
| Berry College |
Bachelor's
|
9 |
SAT: 1100-1278 ACT: 23-29 |
Mount Berry, Georgia | Private | berry.edu |
| Benedictine University (BenU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | N/A | Lisle, Illinois | Private | ben.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Business Economics programs
How much can I earn with a Business Economics degree?
Salaries for Business Economics graduates vary by role and location. Economics Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $119,980 annually, while Economists earn around $115,440. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $126,790 compared to $71,535 in North Dakota. Approximately 986,240 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Business Economics programs?
Currently 193 accredited institutions offer Business Economics degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of California (UCI), Irvine (493 graduates), University of California (UCSC), Santa Cruz (306 graduates), and University of Georgia (UGA) (195 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Business Economics growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 5,941 in 2010 to a peak of 6,171 in 2020, before declining slightly to 4,583 in 2023-24. This represents a 23% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Business Economics degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Economics Teachers, Postsecondary, Economists, and Financial Risk Specialists. Related occupations employ approximately 986,240 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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