by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, general economics was the 29th most popular major nationwide with 28,837 degrees awarded. This 2,313 less than the prior year, a decrease of 8.0%.
This year's Best General Economics Schools ranking compares 428 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom general economics rankings further below.
A major in general 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.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most general economics degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific general economics careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
General Economics degree levels vary. General Economics programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest general economics degree you can get. The time it takes to complete a general economics degree varies depending on the program.
| 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 general economics, with approximately 36.5% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for general economics workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 37.7% |
| Master’s Degree | 27.8% |
| Doctoral Degree | 24.3% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate | 4.1% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 1.5% |
About 58.5% of workers in careers related to general economics obtain at least master's degrees. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in general economics have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which general economics career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your general economics degree? General Economics careers are expected to grow 7.9% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general economics.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Managers | 1,071,700 | 8.0% |
| Economists | 22,600 | 6.1% |
| Economics Professors | 18,300 | 10.9% |
| Survey Researchers | 14,900 | 2.1% |
As you might expect, salaries for general economics graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for general economics graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers general economics grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Economics Professors | $117,180 |
| Economists | $116,020 |
| Managers | $115,590 |
| Survey Researchers | $63,240 |
With over 1,482 different general 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 general economics school rankings to help you with this.
One of 5 majors within the Economics area of study, General Economics has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Econometrics & Quantitative Economics | 18,364 |
| Applied Economics | 618 |
| Development Economics & International Development | 593 |
| International Economics | 328 |
| Other Economics | 315 |
