by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 196 U.S. colleges awarded 4,361 degrees and certificates in Business/Managerial Economics. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 95% of graduates. College Factual ranks 83 schools in its 2027 Best Business/Managerial Economics Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $52,270 one year after completing, rising to $81,950 after four years.
Whether or not your realize it, your lifestyle is determined by the market, whether that is the price of gas, or the cost of a new home or the wages you receive for your work. Everyone is involved in economic activity in some way or another. A business needs to be aware of the economics of the market in order to effectively sell their product. Some examples would be how many individuals they can afford to hire, or how selling inventory will affect the businesses bottom-line.
Majoring in Business and Managerial Economics educates students in how to use economic principles to analysis the organization and operation of business enterprises. Students take a mix of business and economic courses, such as Accounting, Financial marketing, Economics of regulation, Business policy and strategic management, and Econometrics. This major is commonly offered as a Bachelor's degree, however can be taken at an Associate's level.
A major in Business/Managerial Economics explores Business/managerial Economics.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., business/managerial economics is a widely-pursued major, with 4,361 degrees awarded annually. 196 colleges award business/managerial economics degrees, an average of 22 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 363.
By level, the 4,361 awards include 29 certificates, 67 associate degrees, 4,139 bachelor’s degrees, 107 master’s degrees and 19 doctorates.
Women earned 31% of business/managerial economics degrees and certificates in the latest year (1,369 of 4,361). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (2,412) and Hispanic or Latino (644), and international students earned 352.
College Factual ranks 83 schools in its 2027 Best Business/Managerial Economics Schools ranking, including 1 for associate degrees, 78 for bachelor’s degrees and 1 for master’s degrees. It also ranks business/managerial economics schools within 33 states. In all, 196 colleges offer business/managerial economics programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Business/Managerial Economics Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common business/managerial economics credential is the bachelor’s degree: 4,139 of the 4,361 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to business/managerial economics call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Mathematics and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Students should be prepared for the advanced math classes involved in this major. You will also be aided by an analytical and creative mind when solving difficult problems or coming up with new theories. There is an emphasis of group work in many of the classes you will be taking. Students will need to work on their people skills and time management. In order to prepare for this major, students are advised to take course in Macroeconomics, Statistics, Business, Calculus, and Computer applications.
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How long a business/managerial economics degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 29 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 67 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 4,139 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 107 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 19 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to business/managerial economics, at 49.2%.
| 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% |
Source: O*NET Online.
6 occupations are related to Business/Managerial Economics, with an average median salary of $86,184; the strongest outlook belongs to Management Analysts, at 12.6% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Economics Faculty Member, Adjunct Professor, College Professor and Labor Economics Professor.
Graduates of Business and Managerial Economics find themselves in several different career fields. These include Financial Mangers, Financial Analysts, Management Consultants, Top Executives, and Economists. All of these careers handle company's success in terms of profitability and growth. Financial Analysts analyze businesses and provide strategies to help them reach their financial goals. Economists analyze the factors that influence the market and study the selling and buying of products and services within the company.
The occupation related to business/managerial economics with the most projected jobs is Economics Teachers, Postsecondary, at 830,747.
| 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% |
Business/Managerial Economics graduates earn a median $52,270 one year after completing their program, $81,950 after four years and $83,660 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $52,270 |
| 4 years | $81,950 |
| 5 years | $83,660 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to business/managerial economics is Financial Risk Specialists, with a median salary of $127,364.
| 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 |
Business/Managerial Economics includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Business/Managerial Economics (4,361). It has 21 similar majors in the Business, Management & Marketing field, which together award 879,788 degrees a year; the largest are Business Administration, Management and Operations (421,752), Accounting and Related Services (86,793) and Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (68,298). Browse all Business, Management & Marketing majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business/Managerial Economics | 4,361 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 421,752 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 86,793 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 68,298 |
| Business/Commerce, General | 61,663 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 60,422 |
| Marketing | 56,635 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 27,822 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 15,088 |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services | 14,895 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 13,200 |
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