Welcome, Students!
When you earn an economics degree, you earn career opportunities in business, consulting, finance, government, healthcare, non-profits, technology, and a variety of other fields, whether you are in A&S or Trulaske. You also develop the capability to pursue graduate studies in law, business, public policy, economics and many other fields. Watch the video or scroll down to learn more.
Program Links
Featured Alumni
Student Groups
UWE
Undergraduate Women in Economics (UWE) was founded to increase the number of and elevate under-represented groups in economics. We help, learn from, and celebrate with each other. Our goals: foster community; professional development; inclusivity; empowerment.
UMES
The University of Missouri Economics Society (UMES) provides a space for open-minded discussion, education, and dissemination of economic theory and application, offering opportunities to learn from professionals and promoting an esteemed sense of fellowship.
ODE
Omicron Delta Epsilon (ODE) is the international economics honors society. Established in 1963, our Beta Chapter of Missouri is one of 700+ chapters worldwide.
Peer Mentoring
For details, contact Dr. Zack Miller (millerjisaac@missouri.edu)
What is Economics?
Economics is a powerful way of thinking about complex phenomena in general; it’s not just about money! Economists analyze social problems and evaluate policy proposals with scientific rigor and objectivity.
That’s why every modern president has a Council of Economic Advisors in the White House, every major corporation has economic analysts, and why economists so often serve as consultants and expert witnesses. It is the only social science honored with a Nobel Prize.
Microeconomics is the study of households, firms, and their interactions. Topics include bargaining, market competition and market power, earnings differentials, insurance markets, and inequality.
Macroeconomics is the study of economic growth and the business cycle. Topics include inflation, unemployment, the financial system, globalization, and economic development.
Econometrics is the application of advanced statistical tools and forms the foundation for business forecasting and policy analysis.
Economics at Mizzou
When you become an economics major at Mizzou, we will hone your critical thinking and communication skills and train you to understand and analyze the practical problems that abound not just in the business world, but in everyday life.
Our majors get a solid grounding in all three areas of economics, then progress to specialized field courses in areas such as banking, education, health, international trade, labor, law, public policy and regulation. We offer a variety of degree options including a BA, an applied BS and a quantitative BS, so you are sure to find an option that’s right for you!
The department offers small classes for majors that are taught by award-winning teachers and nationally prominent scholars. Our faculty are renowned for their research contributions and serve as policy advisers in both Jefferson City and Washington, D.C. We are proud to bring that real-world expertise to the classroom every day here at Mizzou.
Our faculty are partners in your success; we provide merit awards and need-based scholarships, as well as opportunities for experiential learning through internships, research assistantships and teaching assistantships. We also bring in recruiters from large employers such as Cerner and the Federal Reserve to meet just with our majors.
Did you know that nearly half of our majors are double (or triple) majors? That’s because economics is a particularly practical and valuable discipline and a great complementary field for any other major. If you are intellectually curious, up for a challenge, and looking for a true value-added degree, then consider a major, double major or minor in economics.
SHOW ME THE FACTS
Median mid-career salary for econ majors; higher than finance ($100k), accounting ($89k), and business ($83k)
Source: PayScale
Average boost to median mid-career salary by adding an econ double-major to business (+27.1k), finance (+8.3k), or accounting (+28.7k); nearly half of Mizzou econ majors are double majors
Source: PayScale
First winner of AEA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Diversity and Inclusion
Source: AEA
Rank among all / public US economics programs
Source: RePEc
Econ is the Value-added Major!
Our majors land great jobs right out of school! Median starting salaries for economics majors are $55K for BA degrees and $60K for BS degrees; after 10 years, median salaries are $103K and $123K, respectively. The Brookings Institute reports that lifetime earnings of economics majors are rivaled only by majors in the other STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and finance. One reason that economics majors are so well remunerated is that a degree in economics opens the door to jobs that require specialized analytical skills, such as research analysts in major corporations and government agencies. But even controlling for occupational choice, economics majors earn a 25% premium over other college majors. That’s because a degree in economics tells the world that you are a logical and clear-headed thinker who is not afraid of hard work!
Economics Answers These Questions
- Why are some countries rich and some countries poor?
- Why do women earn less than men?
- What kinds of policies really help the poor?
- How can data help us understand the world?
- What causes recessions?
- And more!
Academic Advisors
Contact your academic advisor for personalized guidance
Kati Abbott
Student last names P–Z
To view drop-in hours or schedule an appointment, please visit MU Connect.
Rebecca Fallon
Student last names A–G
To view drop-in hours or schedule an appointment, please visit MU Connect.
Sarah Kammeyer
Student last names H-O
To view drop-in hours or schedule an appointment, please visit MU Connect.