What can you do with a Business Economics degree from University of California, Irvine?

First, some facts. Of the Business Economics graduates from University of California, Irvine 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 11 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 76%, Business Economics graduates from University of California, Irvine have a higher likelihood (+9%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 76%
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 18% 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 from University of California, Irvine and our analysis:


Relevance score: 97%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2021 from University of California, Irvine with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Business Economics. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Teacher
Children of Light Academy Inc.-Garden Grove, CA
Aug 2021 - Sep 2021
Teaching at an academy does not require knowledge in Business Economics as the curriculum and content are typically unrelated to economic principles.

Credit Analyst
Bank of Hope
Oct 2021 - Feb 2024
As a Credit Analyst, the job directly applies economic analysis and financial evaluation skills obtained from a Business Economics degree, making it highly relevant.

Loan Officer
Bank of Hope
Mar 2024 - Present
The role of a Loan Officer requires substantial economic and financial acumen, making use of skills developed during the Business Economics program on a daily basis.

ABOUT

Commercial Lending & Portfolio Administration | C&I CRE International Standby L/C Personal

What jobs can you get with a Business Economics degree from University of California, Irvine?

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


After looking through the LinkedIn profiles of graduates from UC Irvine with a degree in Business Economics, it’s clear that a lot of them pivoted into roles within the banking and finance sectors. Many graduates landed positions like E-Banking Service Manager, Risk Analyst, and various accounting roles, which are closely tied to the principles learned in their degree. These jobs require knowledge about economic theories, financial management, and risk assessment, so you could say they’re pretty relevant to what they studied.

However, not all jobs aligned as neatly with their Business Economics background. Some graduates took on roles that veered more into creative fields or education, like artistic directors and teachers, which really don’t have a direct connection to economic concepts. Even positions in digital marketing, while they sometimes use strategy and analytical skills from business economics, mostly focus on execution rather than deep economic analysis. Overall, it seems that while many found good fits in financially-oriented positions, there’s a fair number who didn't fully utilize their degrees in their career paths.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Business Economics graduates (this is across all Business Economics graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of California, Irvine):

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

Okay, so let's break down what graduates from the University of California, Irvine with a degree in Business Economics have been up to since they tossed their caps in the air. It seems like many have kicked off their careers in finance-related roles, often landing positions in banks or financial institutions for their first jobs right after graduating. For instance, we see several individuals starting out as officers or analysts at banks and then climbing the ranks into management and specialized positions over time. They generally progress from roles focused on operations or client services to more strategic positions like risk management or project management in just a few years.

Fast forward five to ten years later, and many of these grads appear to have stayed within the finance and consulting realms, establishing themselves in respectable positions with increasing responsibilities. While not everyone follows a straight path, and a few have ventured into diverse fields like digital marketing or education, the overall trend shows that most have secured roles that are relevant to their Business Economics degree—often with significant upward movement in their careers. The numbers look promising, suggesting that graduates are predominantly succeeding in their careers, making use of their knowledge and skills in economics in practical and financially substantial ways.

How hard is a Business Economics degree from University of California, Irvine?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics at UC Irvine can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on your strengths and interests. The program mixes a lot of economics, business principles, and some math, so if you’re not a fan of numbers or economic theory, it might feel a bit tough. However, if you enjoy subjects like math, stats, and understanding how markets work, you might find it manageable or even enjoyable! Generally, I’d say it’s a bit on the harder side compared to some other majors, but with the right mindset and study habits, you can definitely handle it. Just be ready to put in some effort, and don’t hesitate to reach out for help when you need it!

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 from University of California, Irvine tend to make good money?

It looks like some of these UC Irvine Business Economics grads are doing pretty well for themselves, while others are still climbing the ladder. For instance, the folks who started out in banking and digital risk roles seem to have landed solid positions that likely pay decently—especially with titles like AVP and Digital Product Risk Owner under their belts. Meanwhile, there’s a mix of creative jobs and teaching roles that might not pay as much but could be rewarding in other ways. The graduates who ventured into tax and finance have also secured positions that often come with good salary potential, particularly in firms like KPMG. Overall, it seems like many of them are on a decent trajectory, but some might still be working their way up to that sweet paycheck.

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 is across all Business Economics graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of California, Irvine). 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