by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 196 U.S. colleges awarded 4,361 degrees and certificates in Business Economics. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 95% of graduates. College Factual ranks 83 schools in its 2027 Best Business 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.
A degree in Business Economics involves the study of Business/managerial Economics. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Economics Principles To The Analysis Of The Organization And Operation Of Business Enterprises. Includes Instruction In Monetary Theory, Banking And Financial Systems, Theory Of Competition, Pricing Theory, Wage And Salary/incentive Theory, Analysis Of Markets, And Applications Of Econometrics And Quantitative Methods To The Study Of Particular Businesses And Business Problems.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, business economics is a widely-pursued major, with 4,361 degrees awarded annually. 196 colleges award business 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 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 Economics Schools ranking, including 1 for associate degrees, 78 for bachelor’s degrees and 1 for master’s degrees. It also ranks business economics schools within 33 states. In all, 196 colleges offer business economics programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Business Economics Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common business economics credential is the bachelor’s degree: 4,139 of the 4,361 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to business 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.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a business 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 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 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 Accounting Lecturer, Associate Professor, Labor Economics Professor and Microeconomics Professor.
The occupation related to business 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 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 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 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
