What can you do with a Business Economics degree?

First, some facts. Of the Business Economics graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 118 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? On par with the average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 67%, Business Economics graduates have about the same likelihood of finding work in this field as the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 67%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 26% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Business Economics graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Business Economics graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 50%

We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2023 from UC Irvine with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Business Economics. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Consultant, Property Tax Complex
Ryan
Mar 2024 - Present
As a Consultant in Property Tax, the role may involve some analytical and economic reasoning skills applicable from the Business Economics degree, but it does not directly require specialized knowledge of property tax.

ABOUT

As a recent graduate from UC Irvine with a degree in Business Economics, I've always harbored a deep appreciation for data and its analytical potential. My ambition is to delve further into data analytics and how it can be used to solve practical challenges. I'm seeking an entry level role as a Data Analyst, Business Analyst, or Financial Analyst and hope to apply my acquired skills in these fields. Eager to collaborate with like-minded professionals and further my understanding to drive informed decision-making.For further discussions, you can reach me at [EMAIL REMOVED]

What jobs can you get with a Business Economics degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


Based on the various job roles listed for Business Economics graduates, a common trend emerges: these individuals frequently find themselves in roles that involve financial analysis, consultancy, and management. Positions like financial analysts, consultants, and roles within governance and auditing suggest that employers tend to favor graduates who can apply their understanding of economic principles to real-world challenges. In particular, many professionals gravitate toward careers in finance, banking, and consulting, where a deep comprehension of economics is inherently beneficial.

An important aspect of this analysis is how relevant each position is to the core principles taught in Business Economics programs. While many job roles align closely with the skills acquired during their studies, not all positions showcase direct application of economic analysis or theory. For example, roles in customer service or retail management often necessitate skills related to sales and client interactions rather than any analytical or theoretical foundations derived from a Business Economics degree. However, even within these jobs, there can sometimes be an overlap; aspects like market understanding and operational strategies can subtly draw from economic concepts. In contrast, jobs like Credit Analyst, Financial Consultant, and various Analyst roles tend to be directly relevant as they explicitly utilize statistical analysis and economic forecasting techniques.

In conclusion, while it's clear that many graduates are managing to steer their careers into areas where their Business Economics education is relevant, a sizable number of jobs they hold do not make use of their specialized knowledge on a regular basis. This discrepancy could stem from the broad applicability of business skills, which graduates find useful in a variety of roles, but it does raise questions about the effectiveness of degree application in a diverse job market. Though many graduates end up in fulfilling roles that leverage their economic understanding, there remains a significant portion whose jobs only tangentially relate to their academic background.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Business Economics graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Business Economics graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When looking at the career trajectories of Business Economics graduates, it's clear that there’s a wide range of paths taken, but some common themes emerge. Many of these graduates start out in roles that are directly related to their degrees, often finding positions in consulting, finance, or analytics shortly after graduation. For instance, graduates from UC Irvine frequently take roles as consultants or in strategic and analytical roles right after their degrees, which isn’t surprising given the analytical skill sets that come with a Business Economics major.

However, as we look five to ten years down the line, the picture starts to mix a bit with both success stories and more unexpected career shifts. For some, like a graduate from UC Irvine working their way up from an Audit & Assurance Intern to a Senior Associate at a major firm, the growth trajectory aligns well with their education and is a clear indicator of success in the business realm. Others, though, have moved into areas that are only tangentially related to economics or business, such as teaching or even unrelated sales roles - which might imply not everyone found success in positions directly tied to their field of study.

Interestingly, a number of graduates went into roles that require extensive problem-solving and analytical skills, even if they're not positioned in classic economics roles. Many ended up in finance, analytics, and consulting jobs that offer strong career paths and the potential for advancement. However, some individuals shifted into entirely different sectors or roles, which may reflect a broader job market trend where graduates might find themselves needing to pivot after realizing their degree didn’t align with their job goals. So, in overall honesty, while many Business Economics graduates are indeed finding remarkable roles relevant to their studies, there are also those who appear to veer off the beaten path into less relevant job markets, which can be seen as a mixed result for this degree path.

How hard is a Business Economics degree?

Honestly, a Bachelor degree in Business Economics can be a mixed bag when it comes to difficulty. It's not as hardcore as some engineering or pure math degrees, but that doesn't mean it's a walk in the park either. You’ll encounter some tough concepts, especially in economics and statistics, and you’ll have to wrap your head around both theoretical ideas and real-world applications. If you like numbers and can handle a bit of abstract thinking, you might find it manageable. Just remember, it takes consistent effort and good time management, so it's definitely not the easiest degree out there, but it isn't the hardest either!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Business Economics.

Do Business Economics graduates tend to make good money?

Looking at these graduates and their job histories, it seems like some of them have hit the jackpot while others are still climbing the ladder. For instance, the grad from UCLA who moved up to a Senior Tax Manager and then a Director position at Andersen is likely raking in a solid income, which is huge in the finance world. On the other hand, the person from UC Irvine who has been an Assistant Store Manager at Sprouts Farmers Market since graduation may not be making as much, especially since retail management can be hit or miss when it comes to salary.

Also, the grads who have moved into consulting and management roles with firms like Deloitte and Amazon are probably seeing decent paychecks, as these fields typically offer competitive salaries. However, those in jobs like teaching or entry-level roles in sales might not be earning as much, considering the starting salaries in those areas. Overall, it's a mixed bag—some are clearly in lucrative positions, while others may need a bit more time to reach their financial goals.

What buzzwords do Business Economics graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Business Economics. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Business Economics?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Business Economics (ordered by the average relevance score of their Business Economics graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
University of California, Irvine 76 11
UC Irvine 49 11