Economics

Economics is the study of human energy – how we organize our efforts to get what we want. Market exchange plays a central role in this process, but processes of conflict and coordination that take place outside of markets are also important. Economics contains two broad sub-disciplines: microeconomics analyzes the individual behavior of households, business firms, and governmental entities; while macroeconomics focuses upon aggregate economic performance of nations and their interdependencies in the global economy.

Undergraduate program options include a Bachelor’s degree, a minor, and multiple certificates.

Work in the SBS Pathways Center next year!

We’re hiring, and we’re looking for SBS majors like you to join our team for the fall and spring. These jobs are posted in Handshake. Click the links below for more information about the positions. Come join our SBS Pathways …

By Carol Sharick
Carol Sharick Exec. Director of Career and Professional Development, SBS
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New Salary Tool for UMass SBS Students: Labor Market Insights

The SBS Pathways Center is excited to share our newest resource for students with the introduction of our Labor Market Insights module.  In our virtual career center this tool will allow you to both explore and prepare for a potential …

By Emily Schuett
Emily Schuett
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It’s the SBS Career Cafe! Your One Stop Shop for career preparation.

Wednesday March 4th, 1-3:30pm at the Pathways Center and Thompson Hall Lobby

Join us at the SBS Career Café ☕ — an interactive experience designed to help you take your next career step!

Explore four zones focused on your growth:

✨ Bonus: The …

By Carol Sharick
Carol Sharick Exec. Director of Career and Professional Development, SBS
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Labor Market InsightsIn partnership withLightcast logo

Explore occupations by career categories and pathways and use real time labor market data to power your decision making.

Type in a keyword to select a relevant occupation. (If you'd like to see data for a specific location only, filter by state.)

Explore Outcomes

The SBS Office of Career & Professional Development annually surveys graduating seniors in order to provide a snapshot of their post-graduation plans.  The survey begins just prior to graduation, and continues until six months after graduation.  Our data collection process is guided by the industry standard put forth by the National Association of Colleges & Employers, and includes information collected by the SBS Office of Career & Professional Development, the Office of Institutional Research at UMass Amherst, and by various academic departments, as well as from information that is made publicly available by students. The SBS undergraduate outcomes knowledge rate for 2025 was 71%, though knowledge rate varies among departments.

The SBS Office of Career & Professional Development annually surveys graduating seniors in order to provide a snapshot of their post-graduation plans.  The survey begins just prior to graduation, and continues until six months after graduation.  Our data collection process is guided by the industry standard put forth by the National Association of Colleges & Employers, and includes information collected by the SBS Office of Career & Professional Development, the Office of Institutional Research at UMass Amherst, and by various academic departments, as well as from information that is made publicly available by students. The SBS undergraduate outcomes knowledge rate for 2025 was 71%, though knowledge rate varies among departments.

  • First Destination
  • Top Employers
  • Starting Salary
  • Job Titles
  • Employment Locations
  • Top Universities
  • Degree Types
  • Fields of Study

First Destination

SBS graduates pursue a range of plans after graduation, including employment, continuing education, and volunteering/service, among others.  This graph depicts what recent SBS graduates tell us they are doing within six months after graduation.

Featured Alumni

Melissa Sun’24, Economics

Alumni
  • Rhode Island
  • Budget Analyst Office of Management and Budget, State of Rhode Island
Meet Melissa

Stephanie Mullin’20, Economics

Alumni
  • Boston, MA
  • Application Sales Executive Oracle
Meet Stephanie

William Wright’22, Economics

Alumni
  • Seattle, Washington
  • Sr. Financial Analyst Amazon
Meet William

Becca Eige’18, Economics

Alumni
  • Business Intelligence Developer Massachusetts General Brigham Medical System
Meet Becca

Tom Aulenbach’19, Economics

Alumni
  • Washington, DC
  • Business Transformation Consultant IBM
Meet Tom

Trace Dodge’19, Economics & Political Science

Alumni
  • Washington, DC
  • Director's Financial Analyst Rotational Program Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Meet Trace
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Featured Resources

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Skill-Building With Linkedin Learning Classes

See below for skill-building classes – visit LinkedIn Learning for more.

Python for Students

Taught by Madecraft
There is no better time to learn Python than when you are young. Python is a powerful language for automation,…

Learning Data Analytics: 1 Foundations

Taught by Robin Hunt
Are you interested in pursuing a career in data analytics? In this course, instructor Robin Hunt brings you into the…

Excel Essential Training (Microsoft 365) (2018)

Taught by Dennis Taylor
Get up to speed with Microsoft Excel, the world’s most popular spreadsheet program. Follow along with Excel expert Dennis Taylor…

Six Sigma Foundations

Taught by Richard Chua
Learn how to apply Six Sigma to drive improvements in the performance of your processes, products, and services. Dr. Richard…

Data Visualization: Best Practices

Taught by Amy Balliett
Media and marketing efforts often rely on data visualizations to prove a point quickly. But poorly designed visualizations can be…

Learning Excel 2016

Taught by David Rivers
This beginner-level course will introduce new users to Excel 2016. Author David Rivers covers the interface, creating and opening workbooks,…

PowerPoint: Designing Better Slides (2017)

Taught by Heather Ackmann
Designed for non-designers, this course introduces average business professionals to key design components and requirements for purposeful PowerPoint slide design.…

Excel: PivotTables for Beginners (2018)

Taught by Dave Ludwig
PivotTables don’t have to be scary! This powerful Excel feature cuts the time you spend on formulas in half. In…

Learning Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrencies (2018)

Taught by Tom Geller
Bitcoin is a form of money that only exists online. While it’s making headlines around the world, many people don’t…

Cryptocurrency Foundations (2018)

Taught by Jonathan Reichental
View Jonathan’s LinkedIn Newsletter The digital revolution has impacted almost every aspect of our lives, including the way money is…

Outlook Quick Tips (2017)

Taught by Nick Brazzi
Get quick answers to your most urgent Outlook questions. These short tutorials help users work faster and smarter with Outlook,…

Financial Modeling Foundations (2018)

Taught by Michael McDonald
By distilling key information regarding cash flow levels and risks, financial modeling helps decision-makers make informed choices based on data…

Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Essential Training

Taught by Adam Wilbert
Master the fundamentals of SQL Server 2019, the industry-leading database management platform from Microsoft. In this course, instructor Adam Wilbert…

Understanding Capital Markets (2019)

Taught by Michael McDonald
Capital markets are a crucial area of finance—and investors aren’t the only ones impacted. Retirement, buying a house, and long-term…

Presentation Tips for Pitching to Investors

Taught by Jessica Chen
Landing a meeting with investors is a big opportunity—and a key test of your business. Investors ask tough questions. The…

SQL Essential Training (2019)

Taught by Bill Weinman
Knowing how to code and manage relational databases and database-driven applications is a valuable skill for any career in tech.…

Nano Tips for Using Excel with Miss Excel (2021)

Taught by Kat Norton
Welcome to our Nano Tips series, where LinkedIn Learning creators deliver impactful lessons in literally seconds. Here, join Miss Excel…

Business Analysis Foundations: Business Process Modeling

Taught by Haydn Thomas
When you’re trying to grapple with user demands and market changes, it can be difficult to mentally zoom out and…

Finance Foundations: Risk Management

Taught by Jason Schenker
Risk isn’t something we usually think about until it’s too late. Financial risk management allows you to prepare for the…

PowerPoint Essential Training (Office 365/Microsoft 365) (2020)

Taught by Jess Stratton
You don’t have to be a designer to create a great visual presentation. Learn how to use Microsoft PowerPoint for…
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Relevant Courses

SBS Pathways Careers Courses

SBS Pathways Careers Courses SOC BEHAV 250: College to CareersSOC BEHAV 490C: Pathways to Career Success SOC BEHAV 490C: Pathways…
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Research Opportunities

Economics Undergraduate Research Assistantship (EURA)

The Department of Economics has instituted a program of undergraduate research assistantships in which current students majoring in economics work …

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