What can you do with a Economics degree from Michigan State University?

First, some facts. Of the Economics graduates from Michigan State University 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 33 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 69%, Economics graduates from Michigan State University have a slightly higher likelihood (+2%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 69%
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 24% 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 Economics graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Economics graduate from Michigan State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 21%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2016 from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Economics. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Management
Sherwin-Williams
Jun 2016 - Jan 2018
Management at Sherwin-Williams does not require specific economics knowledge or skills as core qualifications, focusing instead on general management tasks.

Store Manager
Sherwin-Williams
Jan 2018 - Jan 2021
The Store Manager position at Sherwin-Williams does not leverage any specific economics knowledge or skills, as it centers on retail management rather than economic principles.

Commercial / Fluid-Applied Roofing Representative
Sherwin-Williams
Jan 2021 - Mar 2024
As a Commercial/Fluid-Applied Roofing Representative, some skills from economics such as market analysis and sales strategies may apply, but they are not core qualifications for the job.

Commercial Sales Representative
Sherwin-Williams
Mar 2024 - Present
The role of Commercial Sales Representative may utilize general economic knowledge in understanding market dynamics, but it does not directly require economics as a core qualification for day-to-day operations.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Economics degree from Michigan State University?

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


Based on the profiles analyzed, graduates from Michigan State University with a degree in Economics have pursued a wide array of careers, predominantly in finance, consulting, and analytics. Many have taken roles like Financial Analysts, Financial Advisors, and various positions at financial institutions such as Quicken Loans and Fidelity Investments, where they actively engage with economic principles and financial analysis on a daily basis. In addition, a noticeable chunk of graduates has moved into operational roles and leadership positions, particularly in companies like ITC Holdings Corp. and ALDI USA. These roles often require more strategic decision-making, which can still be tied back to economic concepts, though the daily application may not always be as strict as in pure financial roles.

However, not all positions held by these alumni maintain a direct connection to their Economics degree. Some found themselves in jobs that leverage general skills learned in economics—like analytical thinking or market understanding—without necessitating in-depth economic knowledge. For example, roles in project management or customer-facing positions, like those at Sherwin-Williams or in various sales roles, often focus more on operational management or client relations than on core economic principles. Therefore, while many graduates effectively translate their studies into relevant job skills, others wind up in careers where the link to their Economics education is weak. Overall, it seems like there’s a solid foundation of economic application in many careers, but the relevance varies significantly depending on the job choice.

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

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

Graduates with an Economics degree from Michigan State University seem to have a pretty solid career trajectory overall. When looking at their first jobs after graduation, many started out in finance-related positions, such as financial analysts, advisors, or in corporate roles that leverage their economic knowledge. For example, there are folks who became financial advisors, hedge fund accountants, and various analytical roles within large companies. This early focus on finance or analysis shows that these graduates tend to land jobs that are both relevant to their degree and offer a pathway for growth.

Fast forward five to ten years, and many of these graduates are moving up in their careers, often transitioning into managerial or leadership roles. A considerable number hold positions like finance managers, directors, or even COOs in their respective companies. For instance, several graduates who started as analysts have moved up to senior roles or vice president positions. However, it's also worth noting that some graduates have taken non-traditional paths or shifted out of pure economics-focused roles into areas like project management or real estate. Overall, those who pursued careers closely tied to their Economics degree seem to have found solid opportunities, while some have diversified into other fields, proving that an Economics degree can be quite versatile.

How hard is a Economics degree from Michigan State University?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Economics at Michigan State University can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on your strengths and interests. The coursework involves a lot of math, statistics, and analytical thinking, which can be tough if you're not already comfortable with those subjects. Generally, it’s considered about average in terms of difficulty compared to other majors, but if you're really into understanding how the economy works and enjoy problem-solving, you might find it more rewarding than hard. Just be ready to tackle some heavy concepts and maybe do a bit of extra studying, especially in quantitative classes!

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 Economics.

Do Economics graduates from Michigan State University tend to make good money?

Looking at these Michigan State University grads, it seems like most of them are doing pretty well in terms of making decent money. Many of the older graduates have climbed up the corporate ladder into roles like Chief Operating Officer and Director, which usually come with a nice paycheck. Even those who started in internships or entry-level positions, like at Quicken Loans or with financial consulting firms, have transitioned into management or specialized roles that typically pay well over time. Some even ventured into high-stakes careers, like financial advising and commercial real estate, which can be lucrative. The newer graduates are still in the early stages, but they're getting into promising positions too. Overall, it appears they’re on a solid path to financial success!

What buzzwords do 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 Economics (this is across all Economics graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Michigan State University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Economics?

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

College Score Count
University of Chicago 83 22
Northwestern University 80 26
Middlebury College 79 13
Davidson College 79 11
Miami University 78 10
Columbia University in the City of New York 78 10
University of Notre Dame 75 11
University of Maryland College Park 74 32
Villanova University 74 14
Dartmouth College 74 16
Indiana University Bloomington 73 15
University of Michigan 73 51
University of California, Berkeley 73 56
The University of Texas at Dallas 73 12
Boston College 73 33
Harvard University 73 20
The Ohio State University 72 26
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 72 26
Binghamton University 72 18
Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick 71 11
Hillsdale College 71 13
Penn State University 70 51
Clemson University 70 17
University of Utah 70 19
University of Minnesota 70 13
Duke University 70 13
The University of Texas at Austin 69 44
Michigan State University 69 33
The University of Georgia 69 12
University of Pennsylvania 69 18
Yale University 69 15
Florida International University 68 18
Hamilton College 68 14
University of North Texas 67 14
Brigham Young University 67 26
University of California, Los Angeles 67 44
Colorado State University 67 15
Boston University 67 13
University of Massachusetts, Amherst 67 10
Vanderbilt University 67 19
Arizona State University 66 30
UC Santa Barbara 66 19
William & Mary 66 11
University of Massachusetts Boston 66 10
College of the Holy Cross 66 17
University of South Florida 65 15
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 65 24
James Madison University 65 11
University of Colorado Boulder 65 26
University of Southern California 65 24
University of Maryland 65 23
Syracuse University 65 11
University of California, San Diego 65 15
Fordham University 65 15
Stanford University 65 12
University of Wisconsin-Madison 64 48
University of Houston 64 19
San Diego State University-California State University 64 13
University of Florida 63 35
New York University 63 37
University of Virginia 63 30
University of Connecticut 63 23
University of California San Diego 63 11
Texas A&M University 62 46
University of Pittsburgh 62 20
Northeastern University 61 16
Cornell University 61 18
University of Miami 61 14
University at Albany, SUNY 61 18
University of California, Davis 60 33
University of California, Santa Cruz 60 11
University at Buffalo 60 16
Virginia Commonwealth University 59 11
Texas Christian University 59 16
Tufts University 59 10
Spelman College 59 12
Occidental College 59 11
Florida State University 58 37
University of Oregon 58 24
UC Irvine 58 13
Stony Brook University 58 10
The George Washington University 58 14
Emory University 58 11
University of Iowa 57 13
Santa Clara University 57 11
University of Washington 56 29
Rutgers University 56 15
Loyola Marymount University 56 11
University of Central Florida 55 12
University of Arizona 55 16
University of Hawaii at Manoa 55 12
Southern Methodist University 55 13
Georgia State University 54 17
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 54 16
Denison University 54 13
California State University-Sacramento 53 19
George Mason University 53 22
University of Delaware 53 11
San Diego State University 51 17
Northern Illinois University 51 12
University of California, Irvine 51 10
University of Georgia - Terry College of Business 51 10
Queens College 50 16
The University of Texas at Arlington 48 12
University of California, Riverside 48 14
North Carolina State University 46 10
San Jose State University 45 16
University of Nevada-Las Vegas 44 10
Baruch College 44 11
Wake Forest University 44 11
University of South Carolina 38 10
Temple University 35 11
United States Military Academy at West Point 23 15