College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Applied Economics Degree Guide

Applied Economics Degrees Decreasing

#534 Most Popular Major
618 Degrees Awarded
-5.5% Increase in Graduates

Applied Economics was the 534th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 618 degrees in this year alone. This 34 less than the prior year, a decrease of 5.5%.

This year's Best Applied Economics Schools ranking compares 29 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom applied economics rankings further below.

2023 Best Colleges for Applied Economics
2023 Overall Best Applied Economics Colleges >

Best Applied Economics Schools by Degree

Bachelor's Degrees in Applied Economics
Master's Degrees in Applied Economics
Doctorate Degrees in Applied Economics

 

Applied Economics Degree Requirements

A major in applied economics prepares you for careers in which understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents is crucial. Required skills include using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems and talking to others to convey information effectively.

Applied Economics Degree Program Entry Requirements

applied economics degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific applied economics careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.

Types of Applied Economics Degrees

There are many different applied economics degree levels. Applied Economics programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest applied economics degree you can get. Depending on the applied economics degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.

Degree Credit Requirements Typical Program Length
Associate Degree 60-70 credits 2 years
Bachelor’s Degree 120 credits 4 years
Master’s Degree 50-70 credits 1-3 years
Doctorate Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation At least 4 years

A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to applied economics, with approximately 40.8% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to applied economics tend obtained the following education levels.

Level of Education Percentage of Workers
Bachelor’s Degree 35.6%
Master’s Degree 23.0%
Doctoral Degree 19.2%
Post-Master’s Certificate 3.2%
Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) 2.8%

About 51.9% of workers in careers related to applied economics obtain at least master's degrees. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in applied economics have received.

undefined

This of course varies depending on which applied economics career you choose.

Applied Economics Careers

Above Average Number of Jobs
96.6k Avg. Related Jobs Salary
14% Growth Job Outlook 2016-26

Solid Growth Projected for Applied Economics Careers

Want a job when you graduate with your applied economics degree? Applied Economics careers are expected to grow 13.5% between 2016 and 2026.

The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to applied economics.

Occupation Name Projected Jobs Expected Growth
Managers 1,071,700 8.0%
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists 733,700 23.2%
Economists 22,600 6.1%
Economics Professors 18,300 10.9%
Survey Researchers 14,900 2.1%

Applied Economics Degree Salary Potential

As you might expect, salaries for applied economics graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.

High Paying Careers for Applied Economics Majors

Salaries for applied economics graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers applied economics grads often go into.

Occupation Name Median Average Salary
Economics Professors $117,180
Economists $116,020
Managers $115,590
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists $70,960
Survey Researchers $63,240

Getting Your Applied Economics Degree

With over 76 different applied economics degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased applied economics school rankings to help you with this.

Applied Economics is one of 5 different types of Economics programs to choose from.

Related Major Annual Graduates
General Economics 28,837
Econometrics & Quantitative Economics 18,364
Development Economics & International Development 593
International Economics 328
Other Economics 315

View All Applied Economics Related Majors >

References

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options