The major that teaches you how to think
Economics teaches you how to think analytically and critically about how individuals, businesses, governments—even entire nations—make choices and how policy might influence these choices. Economists use their understanding of economic relationships to advise everyone from CEOs and stockbrokers to presidents and lawmakers. Sometimes, they are those people. With a Tippie economics degree, you could be, too.
Tailor your economics degree to your interests
Tippie’s Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in economics focuses on how economics influences decision making in disciplines like finance, marketing, and management. Focus your study by choosing:
The analytical track
The analytical track has a more quantitative focus and is great if you’re thinking of a graduate degree that involves a lot of number crunching. Learn more about the analytical track.
The policy track
The policy track is less highly quantitative. If you have your eye on decision making or advocacy positions or think you might want to go to law school, this is the way to go. Learn more about the policy track.
The business track
The business track will get you ready to apply the tools of economics to a wide variety of industries, including banking, insurance, and retail. It’s also great prep for an MBA. Learn more about the business track.
Want to see the courses you could take as an economics major? Check out the economics academic plan.
At a glance
Best Value College for econ majors
Econ alums employed or in grad school
Average starting salary for econ grads
Tippie economics can take you places
Payscale ranks Tippie among the top 10 business schools in the nation for the ROI of our BBA in economics. Our graduates are working at every level of business, government, and academia.
Pivot from broad foundation to foreign focus
When you combine your interests, your career can take you on unimaginable journeys. While at Iowa, Tom Niblock (BBA07) merged his economics and religious studies majors to build a career as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer.
“I wanted a broad foundation. Economics is such a key part of what we do as diplomats."
Now he advocates for religious freedom overseas with a focus on East Asia as part of U.S. foreign policy.
Read StoryHighlighted Offerings
College for econ majors in Iowa
Economics Forum
Economics Forum is a weekly discussion of economic issues on campus. We provide support to students considering the economics major and give you a leg up in the annual Federal Reserve Challenge Team that happens each November.
Dive deep into the forces that move the global economy, with topics ranging from NAFTA to the European Union, high-tech trade, foreign exchange markets, tariffs, and subsidies.