If you return to school after working for a few years, or as an older adult switching careers, an online economics degree could work out best for you. Economists study economic trends and figure out the impact of goods and services on consumers and businesses, and there is a place for economists is pretty much every industry, business, and level of government. The best online economics degrees come from today’s top universities with online programs.
When you earn a degree in economics, you understand how the economy works and its impact on a large and small scale. Unfortunately, if you’re already working is hard to take time out to finish your degree. Online economics classes give you the opportunity to finish your education while you work. This is excellent if you have family obligations that prevent you from going to campus-based programs.
Methodology: Ranking the Best Online Economics Degree Programs
To rank the best online economics degrees, the editors at Great Business Schools searched for online and hybrid programs from trusted, accredited institutions of all kinds. With our initial pool in place, we ranked programs according to practical factors like price, salary potential, and student reviews, so students can feel confident in their choice.
1. University of Utah
The University of Utah offers one of the country’s best online economics degrees with its Bachelor of Science degree program in Economics. This best online economics degree from the University of Utah requires the completion of 122 credit units, of which 48 credits must be from the economics/allied curriculum. Transfer credits are considered on a case-by-case basis. Students graduate from the University of Utah and enter the job market in the public, nonprofit, and government sectors or in fields like banking or finance.
The University of Utah was founded in 1850. The university’s campus in Salt Lake City covers more than 1,500 acres and serves more than 32,100 students vying for academic degrees offered by the university’s 17 colleges and schools.
Highlight The acceptance rate for applications at The U was 62% for Fall 2019.
Degree Economics, BS
2. Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University offers one of the best online economics degrees in the nation as recognized by US News and World Report. This best online economics degree – its BS in Economics, from Penn State University requires the completion of 120 semesters credit to meet program requirements. Coursework for this economics undergraduate degree includes classes in macroeconomic analysis, statistics for economics majors, economics, calculus, money and banking, computer programming, international economics, and decision making in economics, to name a few.
Pennsylvania State University was founded under the Morrill Land Grant Act in 1855. PSU maintains 19 satellite campuses through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which serve more than 96,500 students. The world campus from PSU is now considered the 2nd largest within the university – with more than 19,000 students.
Highlight Penn State is one of only four higher education institutions that is a land-grant, space-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant school.
Degree Economics, BS
3. Washington State University
Washington State University’s Global Campus offers a BS in Economics that is ranked by US News as one of the nation’s best online economics degrees. The curriculum for Wazzu’s best online economics degree includes fundamentals of micro and macroeconomics, econometrics, calculus theory, plus an economics internship and capstone project, among others. Degree candidates can opt for a concentration in management or commodity marketing. Additionally, Wazzu offers economics students the opportunity to study abroad.
Washington State University (Wazzu) was founded in 1890 as the result of the Morrill Land Grant Act. This public institution of higher learning operates several campuses that serve more than 30,100 students.
Highlight Washington State University holds the distinction of being the oldest of all land-grant institutions of higher education located in the western United States.
Degree Economic Science, BS
4. University of Massachusetts at Lowell
The University of Massachusetts Lowell offers a Bachelor of Liberal Arts (BLA) in Economics that is considered as one of the country’s best online economics degrees by Affordable Colleges and US News & World Report. This UMass Lowell’s best online economics degree allows students to transfer up to 90 eligible credits at application. Degree candidates graduate from the University of Massachusetts with an in-depth understanding of the relationship between product & services, commerce & production, as well as economic principles.
The University of Massachusetts at Lowell was founded as Lowell State College in 1894. This research institution of higher education operates two campuses in Lowell and Haverhill, MA. The schools’ campus covers more than 125 urban acres and serves more than 18,300 students.
Highlight UMass Lowell is recognized as the 2nd largest public university in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Degree Economics, BLA
5. Oregon State University
Oregon State University offers two of the best online economics degrees in the nation, as noted by US News. OSU offers a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree in Economics that can be completed entirely online. Degree candidates enrolled in OSU’s best online economics degree program must complete 180 credits to meet requirements in classes the refine their analytical and quantitative skill sets. Oregon State University offers students four start dates for this undergraduate economics degree program each year.
Oregon State University was founded in 1868 under the Morrill Land Act as Corvallis State Agricultural College. This public institution of higher education is also a sun-grant, space-grant, and sea-grant university. The university’s campus in Corvallis is home to more than 31,600 students.
Highlight Free Masons in Oregon had a significant role in the development of Oregon State University.
Degree Economics, BA/BS
6. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
The Business and Economics College at the University of Wisconsin- Whitewater offers a BBA in Economics that is considered among the state’s best online economics degrees. This best online economics degree program is accredited by the AACSB. Degree candidates enrolled in UW Whitewater’s undergraduate economics/business degree are required to complete 120 semester credits. The university’s curriculum is organized into quantitative methods, economic theories, plus a host of applicable sub-fields.
The University of Wisconsin- Whitewater was founded in 1868 as a teaching school. The university’s campus in Whitewater covers more than 400 acres and serves more than 10,900 students. UW Whitewater is recognized as a military-friendly school by Military Times.
Highlight Students attend UW Whitewater from more than 40 states and internationally.
Degree Economics, BBA
7. Colorado State University
Colorado State University offers one the country’s best online economics degrees with its Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. Students enrolled in Colorado State University’s best online economics degree program must complete 120 semester credits to meet the program’s requirements. Coursework for CSU’s undergraduate degree in economics degree includes macro- and microeconomics, money and banking, statistics, economic institutions, econometrics, calculus and gender, and the economy, to name a few.
Colorado State University was founded under the Morrill Land Grant Act in 1870. In addition, the university is the flagship campus of the Colorado State system. The university’s urban campus in Fort Collins is home to more than 25,500 students.
Highlight Both Business Week and Princeton Review rank the university’s business school among the top 100 in the nation.
Degree Economics, BA
8. University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
The University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth offers a BA in Economics degree program that can be completed entirely online. As one of the country’s best online economics degrees UMass Dartmouth’s undergraduate economics degree program requires the completion of 120 semester credits to graduate. Students graduate from this best online economics degree program to find rewarding work in business, journalism public policy, management, finance, or insurance, among others. Students may transfer up to 75 eligible credits when applying to UMass Dartmouth.
The University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth is a public institution of higher learning that was established in 1895 as a textile school. The school is one of the five member schools that form the University of Mass. System. UMass Dartmouth’s campus covers more than 700 suburban acres and serves more than 8,400 students.
Highlight UMass Dartmouth is located about an hour from Boston.
Degree Economics, BA
9. Eastern Oregon University
Eastern Oregon University offers two of the best online economics degrees offering a BS or a BA degree in Economics. This best online economics degree program includes a curriculum with eleven-week classes that include – microeconomics, survey calculus, managerial economics, public finance, labor and union, natural resource economics, plus an econometrics capstone project, among others. Degree candidates graduate with the ability to critically evaluate real-world issues in the fields of management, law, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies, to name a few. The total credit hours required to graduate is 180.
Eastern Oregon University was founded as a teacher training school in 1929. The university’s campus in Le Grande is home to more than 3,600 students and set amid the Blue Mountains of Oregon.
Highlight In 2011, EOU proudly presented a diploma to Leo Plass, a 99-year-old man who completed his degree.
Degree Economics, BA/BS
10. Regent University
Regent University offers a BS in Economics that is considered among the nation’s best online economics degrees by US News and World and collegechoice.com. This best online economics degree program’s curriculum includes the history of economic thought, microeconomics and entrepreneurship, market processes, and economic growth, among others. Students graduate from Regent University’s undergraduate economics degree to find rewarding careers in banking, market research, finance, policy analysis, and economic forecasting, to name a few.
Regent University was founded in 1977 and operates as an interdenominational evangelical school. The university’s campus in Virginia Beach is home to more than 8,500 students studying for the more than 65 academic degrees offered. The school’s campus is of neo-Georgian architecture was named among the most beautiful campuses in the southern US.
Highlight US News ranks Regent’s online bachelor’s degree among the nation’s top programs.
Degree Business: Economics, BS
11. University of West Georgia
The University of West Georgia’s Richards College of Business offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a concentration in Economics that is considered as one of the country’s best online economics degrees. This best online economics degree has received accreditation from the AACSB-International. About 60% of this undergraduate economics degree program can be completed online, with the remaining work done at the Carrollton campus. Students graduate prepared for careers in the fields of insurance, government, nonprofits, banking, and marketing, to name a few.
The University of West Georgia (UWG) was established in 1906 on land that was previously a plantation. The university’s college-town campus in Carrollton is home to more than 13,600 students.
Highlight The University of West Georgia operates a satellite facility in Newnan, plus additional classes offered in Atlanta.
Degree Economics, BBA
12. Brenau University
Brenau University offers a BBA with a concentration in Economics that has received accreditation by the ACBSP. In addition to being among the country’s best online economics degrees Brenau University has also been ranked among the schools for its best value. Coursework for Brenau University’s best online economics degree program includes classes in statistics, ethics, microeconomics, strategic thinking, accounting, management, and finance, among others. Students graduate to find rewarding work as financial analysts, insurance underwriters, budget analysts, or personal finance advisors, among others.
Brenau University was founded as a private institute of higher education in 1878. The school operates several campuses in Gainesville, Atlanta, Augusta, Fairburn and Norcross, GA, and another in North Florida. Brenau University’s student enrollment that exceeds 3,300 students.
Highlight Brenau University was originally established to educate women exclusively.
Degree Financial Economics, BBA
13. School Removed
14. Liberty University
Liberty University offers one of the country’s best online economics degrees with its Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree with an academic emphasis in economics. Liberty University’s best online economics degree program requires the completion of 120 semester credits, which averages 3.5 years to complete. This economics degree is accredited by the ACBSP and available 100% online. Coursework for Liberty’s baccalaureate degree program includes political and economic ideas, economic forecasting, money and banking, international market integration, econometrics, and statistics, to name a few.
Liberty University was founded by Jerry Falwell in 1971. Liberty is an evangelical institution of higher learning that serves more than 93,000 students online and on-campus. Students attending Liberty are required to complete a set of bible classes.
Highlight Liberty University has one of the largest online student enrollments in the country.
Degree Business Administration: Economics, BS
15. Ottawa University
Ottawa University offers a bachelor’s in business economics that is ranked among the nation’s best online economics degrees. Ottawa University’s best online economics degree program offers students five concentrations in marketing, entrepreneurship, leadership, human resources, and international business. Students enrolled in Ottawa University’s undergraduate business economics degree program are prepared to tackle real-world problems that influence societies across the world. The school offers several options to earn college credit from prior military service, completed coursework and work/life experiences.
Ottawa University was founded in 1865. This private institution of higher education is affiliated with the Baptist Church. The university’s campuses in Kansas, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Arizona are home to more than 500 students.
Highlight US News and World Report has ranked Ottawa University as the third best regional private school in Kansas.
Degree Business Economics
Why Should I Get My Economics Degree Online?
Economists study economic trends, analyzing data, figuring out the impact of goods and services on businesses as well as consumers. Who you complete a bachelor’s degree in economics, you can get to work unraveling complex economic problems in local or federal government agencies or pursue a related career track.
It may take a little searching to find the program that most piques your interest. The best online economic degrees have a wide range of topics so that you can get a broad idea of the field before deciding what your specialization will be. By choosing the best online economics degree for you, you can keep up with your busy work schedule, raise a family and study on your own terms.
What Kinds of Economics Degrees are There?
The Journal of Economic Literature lists the following specialties:
- Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics
- Business Administration
- Econometrics
- Technological Change and Growth
- Economic History
- Economic Systems
- Experimental Economics
- Finance and Financial Economics
- Game Theory
- Bargaining Theory
- Health, Education, and Welfare
- Industrial Organization
- International Economics
- Labor and Demographic Economics
- Law and Economics
- Macroeconomics
- Quantitative Methods
- Microeconomics
- Money and Interest Rates
- Taxation, and Government Spending
- The Business Cycle
- Regional Economics
What type of degree is economics? Different types of economics degrees can fall under quantitative or humanities degrees depending on the school and your specialization. Learning about different types of economics degrees can help you narrow down your choices.
What Kind of Job Can I Get with an Economics Degree?
Jobs with an economics major include economic consultation, political science and business reporting. Quantitative roles such as compensation management, credit analysis and financial analysis lend themselves to skills mastered in an economics program. Some economics majors choose related fields such as actuarial jobs, law and management consulting.
Economics major jobs range from actual jobs as an economist to jobs for economics majors that continue their education. For example, job options for economics majors include becoming a lawyer or getting an advanced finance degree to become a financial analyst.
Jobs for an economics major include work for governments and private organizations. Some jobs with an economics major involve quantitative fields such as actuarial degrees. Economics major jobs might include credit analysis or management consultation. Some graduates look for jobs for economics majors that mesh with their past experience. Others want job options for economics majors that help them build a new skill set.
How Much Does an Economics Major Make?
What is the average salary for an economics major? According to study.com, average salary of an economics major is $70,000 for a Bachelor of Science in Economics. The average salary for economics majors with a Bachelor of Arts was $72,000.
How much do economics majors make? Ziprecruiter puts the average salary of an economics major at $75,000. If you want to know how much does an economics major make, look up job descriptions in your area of specialty. This will help you answer the question, “How much do economics majors make in your planned field of study?”
How much does an economics major make depends on the various specialties in the field. What is the average salary for an economics major with an online degree? There is no difference in the salary offered for a reputable online program. So, choose the learning format and school that works best for you.
Economists or those who understand the economy can help in business, academia and many other fields. Getting an economics degree is also valuable for entrepreneurs who want to understand the marketplace at a deeper level. Whatever specialty you choose, don’t be afraid to take courses in several areas to find the one that naturally fits your talents and interests.
Carrie Morris
Author
Warren Dahl
Editor-in-Chief