Deciding to go back to school often leads people to questions whether they can afford it. Fortunately, there are ways to make an online bachelor’s in economics less expensive. For instance, a person should begin by looking for the cheapest online economics degree by conducting a search for the least expensive schools that offer an economics degree program. A person must filter through the search results to find an affordable online degree in economics since sometimes more expensive appear in the results.
Another option for finding the cheapest online economics degree is to begin with a community college. A person can earn an associate’s and a bachelor’s degree in economics from a community college for a fraction of the price of a private or public college. A person could also look into the option of employer reimbursement to earn an affordable online degree in economics. This particular option consists of a person’s employer reimbursing him or her for a portion of his or her tuition. Additionally, an individual can find scholarships and grants through organizations or the school itself. It’s also possible to receive government funding from the state or federal government.
Methodology: Ranking the Most Affordable Economics Degrees
Finding an affordable degree in economics, but finding a great one that doesn’t require a scary amount of debt takes some research. Bachelor’s Degree Center has done the research for you, seeking out only accredited, trusted programs known for quality, student satisfaction, and job market reputation. For the ranking, though, one factor is supreme: cost, according to IPEDS tuition data.
1. West Virginia University
When you’re looking for the most affordable economics degrees to help with your long-term career goals, West Virginia University is a good choice to help with your plans. West Virginia University offers a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of science in economics. The degree programs focus on providing students with the fundamental skills they need to evaluate the economy, make predictions based on current economic factors, and develop policies designed to help stimulate the economy.
West Virginia University teaches students to identify the costs and the potential advantages of certain decisions. That focus on cost analysis and decision-making after weighing the pros and cons of the choice ensures that students are able to clarify the potential problems that may arise over time. It also gives students the opportunity to work on developing specialized skills based on personal interests and career objectives.
Highlight: West Virginia University allows students in the economics program to obtain a certificate of global engagement to enhance their degree and skills.
Degree: BA or BS in Economics
Learn more about the program here!
2. Purdue University
The BS in Economics from Purdue University is an affordable degree in economics that helps prepare students for a challenging career path. The degree program teaches students to evaluate public policies and determine the ways that a new policy may impact the economy of a state, local environment, or the country. It also gives students the ability to analyze the current economic environment and make decisions based on economic factors.
Purdue University recognizes the role of science, mathematics, and statistics in economics. It gives students a strong foundation in the skills that apply to economics and ensures that students are able to use different tools to compare and evaluate details within the market. It also provides a strong foundation in business to help students understand the way companies may impact the growth or decline of a country’s economy.
Highlight: Purdue University is AACSB-accredited for its economics program.
Degree: BS in Economics
Learn more about the program here!
3. Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University in Bloomington offers one of the most affordable economics degrees for students who want to work in a challenging environment. The BA in Economics emphasizes quantitative data analysis as it applies to the economy and ensures that students have the fundamental skills they need for their career objectives. The degree program teaches math modeling, economic statistics, econometrics, and related topics to provide a strong foundation in economics. Students can then focus on elective courses based on their personal career goals.
Indiana University in Bloomington prepares students to work in a variety of fields and environments. Since students can focus on elective courses that emphasize specific areas of economic theory, it allows students to work in government roles, policy development, business environments, or private organizations. That focus on giving students a strong foundation ensures that they are prepared to handle challenging situations at work.
Highlight: Indiana University in Bloomington offers a variety of scholarships based on merit, financial need, and a student’s declared major.
Degree: BA in Economics
Learn more about the program here!
4. North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University offers two undergraduate degree programs in economics: a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of science in economics. Both programs emphasize the fundamental skills students need to work in a business environment, at the government level, or in a private organization. The degree programs provide students with the ability to manage resources and identify risk factors based on the economy, government policies, or related data.
North Carolina State University emphasizes the application of economic theory and information to make decisions that offer more benefits when compared to risks. It ensures that students understand how economic factors may influence financial markets, company decisions, labor organization, and society. It also provides a strong foundation in social science to gives students the fundamental skills they need to evaluate the way the economy may impact different areas of society.
Highlight: North Carolina State University offers study abroad programs for students who want to learn more about the way economics may apply to different regions and environments.
Degree: BA or BS in Economics
Learn more about the program here!
5. Stony Brook University (SUNY)
Stony Brook University offers an affordable degree in economics that helps students reach their long-term career goals. The BA in Economics emphasizes the fundamental theories of microeconomics and macroeconomics that apply to the economy of the country or smaller local environments. It also provides a strong foundation in statistics and econometrics to prepare students for the challenges of weighing economic factors with statistical data to make effective decisions.
Stony Brook University prepares students to work in a variety of setting by providing a strong foundation in economic theories and the application of theories to a real-world environment. The focus on specific aspects of economics through elective courses allows students to develop specialized skills that may apply to specific areas of economics and career opportunities.
Highlight: Stony Brook University offers a variety of scholarships based on merit, honors, or a student’s major.
Degree: BA in Economics
Learn more about the program here!
6. Iowa State University
Iowa State University offers a bachelor’s degree in economics that gives students the ability to focus on a long-term goal. The economics program allows students to choose from three concentrations: economics, business economics, or agricultural economics. Since students can focus on a specific aspect of economics, it allows students to focus on the area of the economy that fits their long-term goals for a career.
Iowa State University stands out by allowing students to obtain a specialized degree in economics. It does not limit students to the fundamentals that apply to all areas of the economy. Instead, it allows students to focus on business, agriculture, or the economy as a whole. That focus ensures that students are able to learn the theories and application of theories that apply to their specific areas of interest.
Highlight: Iowa State University allows students to enhance their degrees with a double-major or a minor.
Degree: Economics — 3 concentrations
Learn more about the program here!
7. University of Iowa
The BA in Economics from the University of Iowa prepares students to work in a fast-paced environment. The degree program uses a combination of math tools, economic theory, and the application of theories in the field to give students a strong foundation that allows them to work in challenging situations. It provides the skills students need to gather appropriate information, evaluate the details, and then use statistics and math to apply a theory to a task in a real-world setting.
The University of Iowa allows students to choose from two concentrations in economics: policy and business. The business concentration focuses on the application of theories to a business environment. Students learn about the use of economic theories within a company or firm, as well as the way the broad economy may impact businesses. The concentration in policy focuses on the way government policies may impact the economy, businesses, or even individuals. It allows students to work in a government position or to address concerns about new policies within corporate or business environments.
Highlight: The University of Iowa is AACSB-accredited and meets the high standards of education to maintain accreditation.
Degree: BA in Economics
Learn more about the program here!
8. Georgia State University
Georgia State University offers three programs for students who want to study economics: a bachelor of arts, a bachelor of science, and a bachelor of business administration. Students are able to focus on a degree program that fits with their long-term career goals. For students who want to emphasize social sciences, the bachelor of arts offers the opportunity to focus on the application of economic theories to social situations or groups. Students who want to focus on theories, research, or the science behind economics may find that the bachelor of science fits their goals. The bachelor of business administration emphasizes the use of economic theories in a business environment.
Georgia State University stands out by allowing students to focus on a specific area of economics through different degree programs. That ability to choose a program that fits a student’s personal interests and goals ensures that students are able to obtain a career that works with their plans. It gives students a flexible solution to focus on their needs.
Highlight: Georgia State University offers research opportunities to students in the school’s economics programs.
Degree: BA, BS, or BBA in Economics
Learn more about the program here!
9. University of Florida
The University of Florida offers a BA in Economics that gives students a strong foundation in economic theories and the application of theories to a real-world environment. It develops student observational skills and teaches students to use data from their observations of behavior to make decisions. It offers a strong foundation in social science as well as economics to prepare students to work in government or business environments.
The University of Florida emphasizes economic decision-making skills based on data and statistics, as well as the allocation of resources for optimal economic growth. It also gives students a strong foundation in mathematics to ensure that they are able to read and understand statistical data before using the information to make decisions.
Highlight: The University of Florida encourages students to spend one semester abroad to gain insight into the ways economic theories are applied in different countries.
Degree: BA in Economics
Learn more about the program here!
10. East Tennessee State University
East Tennessee State University offers a BA and a BS in economics. The degree programs emphasize problem-solving skills and critical thinking skills to prepare students for the challenges they may face when working in a government or business environment. It recognizes that modern technology and tools contribute to a complex economic system that rapidly evolves and changes. That is why it provides a strong foundation in economic theories before helping students adapt to modern challenges.
East Tennessee State University prepares students to adapt through an education that prepares them for modern challenges associated with technology and the rapid shift in economic strategies. It also ensures that students are able to recognize changing behavior that may impact or influence economic policies.
Highlight: East Tennessee State University is AACSB-accredited for economics.
Degree: BA or BS in Economics
Learn more about the program here!
Is an Economics Degree a Good Investment?
A person may question whether getting an economics degree is worth it when comparing the cost of a degree versus the earning potential of the career options. First and foremost, if someone is asking is an economics degree worth it, he or she should know what can I do with econ degree. One answer to what can you do with a degree in economics is an investment analyst. Another answer to what can I do with an economics degree is becoming a financial analyst. On average, a person in this position can earn $85,660 per year.
Additionally, a financial advisor is another option for what you can do with a degree in economics. With this option for what to do with economics degree, a person earns an average of $63,120 annually. What can I do with an econ degree could also include a credit analyst, which earns an average of $82,300. A person could also choose to be a policy analyst.
What to do with economics degree could also incorporate the option of earning a master’s degree. As a choice for what can I do with an economics degree, this particular option can lead to a person becoming an economist. For this particular option for what do you do with an economics degree, an individual can earn over $100,000 per year. Once a person reaches a master’s degree level, what do you do with an economics degree also includes teaching economics or holding a management position.
As noted above from the earning potential of prospective career options, the answer to is an economics degree worth it is yes.
Can I Get a Job with Just a Bachelor’s?
Fortunately, the list of what jobs can an economics degree get you is extensive. Many of the best jobs with an economics degree are accessible with only a bachelor’s degree. In fact, one of the best jobs to get with an economics degree is a credit analyst. Another answer to what jobs can an economics degree get you include a financial analyst. As one of the best jobs with an economics degree, a credit analyst is the person responsible for deciding if a person is worthy of lending money to. They must evaluate credit information and assess the person’s risk. As one of the best jobs with an economics degree, a person could also work in supply chains, companies, and marketing departments to help with the business’ credit, which often entails the responsibility of making payments on time or decreasing the number of customer disputes.
Another option for the best jobs to get with an economics degree is a market research analyst. This person assists with researching marketing trends to determine the best products and services to offer. The person also evaluates the success of marketing efforts to determine strengths and deficits in a marketing plan.
How Much Can I Make with an Economics Degree?
The economics degree salary varies based on a person’s area and job. The degree in economics salary is higher for someone who takes on a role as a credit analyst as opposed to a market research analyst. For instance, the average economics degree salary for someone who wants to become a credit analyst is over $80,000. On the other hand, the economics jobs salary for someone who’s a financial advisor is slightly over $60,000. The degree in economics salary for a financial analyst is over $80,000 as well.
A person can also take on roles as an entry-level economist. The degree in economics salary for this role is slightly over $53,000. However, with experience or a master’s degree, a person can earn much more than the average starting salaries for economics majors. For instance, the economics jobs salary for an economist with experience is over $100,000 per year, much more than the economic degree starting salary for an economist.
Starting salaries for economics majors are lower than the national average. However, over time, a person can earn a much higher salary than the economic degree starting salary.
The economics bachelor degree salary can be higher if a person takes on a management position. However, to earn more than the economics bachelor degree salary, a person may need to earn a masters. In addition to a higher salary than the bachelor degree in economics salary, a person also has more job opportunities with a masters. For instance, a person can take on teaching roles, which of often have a higher salary than the average bachelor degree salary in economics.
Related Rankings:
25 Best Bachelor’s in Economics
