Is majoring in economics worth it?
Noah Mitchell
Published Jan 17, 2026
Is An Economics Degree Worth It? An economics degree opens the door to many career options and a high salary. The average economics degree job salary in 2019 was around $105,000 (USD). Additionally, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, opportunities and job outlook in this field have increased by about 8%.
Is economics a useless major?
Is an Economics Degree Useless? An economics degree is not useless but it is not very useful either. Economics is a very theoretical degree whereas most employers are looking for more practical and applied skills in their potential employees.
What kind of jobs do economics majors get?
Common career paths for economics graduates include:
- Economist.
- Financial risk analyst.
- Data analyst.
- Financial planner.
- Accountant.
- Economic researcher.
- Financial consultant.
- Investment analyst.
Do you regret majoring in economics?
70% of economics majors regretted their choice.
Some economics grads warn that while the degree provides a strong theoretical groundwork, it fails to give a strong set of skills that can be used post-college.
What is the least regretted major?
5 least regretted majors
- Computer science/mathematics. Only 12.78% of survey respondents regretted this major. ...
- Business. “Too general” was the most common complaint about this major. ...
- Engineering. ...
- Health administration and assisting. ...
- Health sciences and technologies.
What is the happiest major?
Which Subjects Have the Happiest Students?
- Sport and exercise science. Sports and exercise science students are the second happiest students according to TheKnowledgeAcademy's survey.
- Engineering. ...
- Natural Sciences. ...
- Mathematics. ...
- Computing. ...
- Accounting, finance and business. ...
- Media and communication. ...
- Arts and design. ...
Is economics a high paying major?
You can expect a very high salary with an economics degree and some experience. For example, Salary.com reported an $87,390 average salary rate for corporate economist I job roles in 2021.
Does economics have a future?
Yes, it is a good career. An economics graduate will have some unique and highly sought-after skills and in most cases, employment prospects are good. A lot of professionals in banking and accountancy hold economics degrees. For any career related to finance, an economics degree is a good foundation to build on.
Are economics majors in demand?
Employment of economists is projected to grow 13 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. About 1,600 openings for economists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
What are the most useless degrees?
20 Most Useless Degrees
- Advertising. If you're an advertising major, you may hope to get into digital marketing, e-commerce, or sports marketing. ...
- Anthropology And Archeology. ...
- Art history. ...
- Communications. ...
- Computer Science. ...
- Creative Writing. ...
- Criminal Justice. ...
- Culinary arts.
Is economics a good major for the future?
Overall, an economics degree is a good value that will provide you with a strong foundation throughout your future. Many people take microeconomics and macroeconomics in college and then retire from their studies without a better understanding of the field.
Why economists are paid so much?
Economists are paid more than other academics because they are scarce relative to demand and they have specialized skills that are valued in consulting and finance. Supply, demand and economists.
Are economists rich?
Economists aren't trying to be rich.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wages of economists in May 2021 were $105,630. That's lower than the median pay of astronomers, nuclear engineers, medical dosimetrists and theatrical and performance makeup artists.
What is the highest paying job in economics?
To advance in the field, individuals will need an MBA.
- Personal Financial Advisor. Median Annual Wage 2020 (BLS): $89,330. ...
- Financial Manager. Median Annual Wage 2020 (BLS): $134,180. ...
- Financial Analyst. Median Annual Wage 2020 (BLS): $83,660. ...
- Operations Research Analyst. ...
- Market Research Analyst. ...
- Actuary. ...
- Management Analyst.
Is economics a lot of math?
Fact is, at the undergraduate level at many colleges and universities, economics is not a very math-intensive course of study. There are many diagrams in economics, but there is not a large amount of math. A proviso: The amount of math in the economics curriculum varies across colleges and universities.
Is economics a hard major?
Economics is a hard major. Economics is considered to be one of the most difficult commerce degrees. Economics is a mix of many subjects including mathematics, business, accounts, psychology and sociology. Other STEM majors such as engineering and mathematics are harder than economics.
What can I do after BA economics?
Career Options and Salary After BA Economics
- Finance and Budget Analyst.
- Banker.
- Market Analyst.
- Economist.
- Business or Economic Writer/Journalist.
- Investment Administrator and Analyst.
- Sales Executive or Analyst.
- Human Resources.
Why do you choose to study economics?
Economics helps you to think strategically and make decisions to optimise the outcome. Especially in demand are people who have studied Economics and Finance as they are particularly well-prepared for jobs in banking and the financial sector, such as in accountancy firms.
What pays more finance or economics?
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) reported an average starting salary of $55,965 for economics majors. Finance students weren't far beyond with a $55,609 mean wage. These are both over $5,000 higher than the median for all degrees.
What are fun majors?
30 fun majors
- Fermentation sciences. Getting a Bachelor's Degree in Fermentation Sciences prepares you for a career in the brewing industry. ...
- Pop culture. ...
- Viticulture. ...
- Auctioneering. ...
- 5. Entertainment design. ...
- Golf course management. ...
- Costume technology. ...
- Professional scuba diving.
What is the unhappiest profession?
The unhappiest jobs in America aren't what you'd expect.
...
The 20 Unhappiest Jobs In America
- Analyst. Bliss score: 2.914. ...
- Dispatcher. Bliss score: 2.938. ...
- Program coordinator. ...
- Pharmacy technician. ...
- Teacher. ...
- Senior buyer. ...
- Clerk. ...
- Assistant professor.
Which college has nicest students?
Nicest Colleges in America
- University of Michigan. Ann Arbor, MI. ...
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill, NC. ...
- University of California. Los Angeles, CA. ...
- University of Virginia. Charlottesville, VA. ...
- University of Florida. ...
- University of Maryland, College Park. ...
- University of Wisconsin. ...
- University of Texas at Austin.
Which degree has the most millionaires?
Top 7 degrees that make the most millionaires
- Engineering.
- Economics/Finance.
- Politics.
- Mathematics.
- Computer Science.
- Law.
- MBA.
Can economists become millionaires?
Can you get rich as an economist? Almost no economist has become rich from their knowledge of economics, despite making a good living. It's highly likely that economists would use any secrets they knew to profit in, say, the stock market to their own advantage.