A bachelor’s degree in economics at Truman provides you with a toolkit for thinking about the world around you. Learning to focus on life’s questions from a variety of viewpoints enhances your ability to analyze complex data, a skill that’s increasingly valued in a data-driven world. You examine economic theory, behavioral incentives, ethical challenges, and trade-offs in settings such as labor supply, consumption patterns, health care choices, and energy use. Since you can apply what you learn to so many subjects, many economics students complete a double major.

Career Paths

This versatile major opens the door to a variety of career options and is excellent preparation for law school, an MBA, and many other professional careers. You also build a strong foundation for furthering your studies in finance, mathematics, actuarial science, healthcare administration, and more.

Notable employers:

  • Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
  • Boeing
  • Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
  • Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
  • Missouri Public Service Commission
  • Wells Fargo
  • United States Agency for International Development

Notable graduate and professional schools:

  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Michigan State University
  • University of Illinois
  • University of Missouri
  • Washington University in St. Louis
  • University of California – Berkeley
  • Duke University
  • University of Chicago
100%
of economics majors complete research
67
number of students in this major
65%
of economics majors enter the workforce directly
35%
of economics majors attend graduate school
100%
of faculty have a terminal degree

Featured Courses

Learn the terms, tools, and concepts basic to modern economic analysis covering topics including supply and demand analysis; consumption, production, and cost theories; externalities, public goods, and government response; national income accounting, productivity, and economic growth; labor markets and employment; economic fluctuations and monetary and fiscal policy; and finally international trade.
Explore the theories, techniques, and applications of econometrics with a focus on the assumptions and methods of estimation; on hypothesis testing and on the forecasting of economic regression models.
Study simple and multiple linear regression, correlation, and time series.
Learn about the development of economic thought from past to present with a focus on the analytical innovations in economic thought, beginning with the Greeks and extending to contemporary thinkers.
Examine some of the major problems associated with the use and conservation of natural resources and environmental quality, the relationship of the political-economic system to environmental and natural resource problems and possible solutions to resource and environmental problems.
Explore the basis for international trade by focusing on traditional trade theory: Ricardian and Heckscher-Ohlin models, growth and technological change and factor mobility. Other topics of discussion include commercial policy, economic integration, and the relationship between trade and economic growth and development.

Student Opportunities

Students

Research

You can work with an economics faculty mentor for in-depth exploration of a topic of your choosing which can lead to better advising and more personalized and detailed letters of recommendation.

Student

Internships

Departmental internships provide the chance to further develop both your critical-thinking and networking capabilities.

Students on study abroad trip

Study Abroad

At Truman, you can take advantage of both solo and faculty-led study abroad opportunities to enhance your knowledge and experience. All economics majors are encouraged to pursue study abroad, especially if you're interested in international business or foreign policy.

Student Spotlight

Riley decided to major in economics after discovering how he could apply it to different areas of life and his future career as a lawyer.

Explore Related Programs

Economics Minor