What can you do with a Economics degree from Stanford University?

First, some facts. Of the Economics graduates from Stanford 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 12 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 65%, Economics graduates from Stanford University have a slightly lower likelihood (-2%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 65%
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, 41% 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 you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Economics graduate.

See the details:

View a random Economics graduate from Stanford University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 31%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2014 from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Economics. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Associate Consultant
The Concord Group, LLC
Aug 2014 - Apr 2016
The position of Associate Consultant does not require specific knowledge or skills from an Economics degree as it focuses more on general consulting abilities and problem-solving rather than economics principles.

Manager
The Concord Group, LLC
Apr 2016 - Jul 2016
As a Manager at The Concord Group, the role necessitates the application of economic concepts in strategic decision-making and project management, directly aligned with the knowledge gained from an Economics degree.

Manager
The Concord Group, LLC
Jul 2016 - Jun 2017
This Manager position involves similar responsibilities to JOB #1, emphasizing the relevance of applying economic analysis and strategies, making it directly connected to the individual's academic background.

Analyst
Vrde Partners
Jul 2017 - Jan 2020
As an Analyst at Vrde Partners, while some economic analysis may be applicable, the position oscillates between finance and economic roles, making economics a beneficial but not central qualification.

Senior Analyst
Vrde Partners
Jan 2020 - Oct 2020
The Senior Analyst role at Vrde Partners may utilize some economic knowledge, particularly in analysis, but it is likely more focused on financial contexts where economics is not a primary requirement.

Vice President
Prime Finance
Sep 2021 - Present
The Vice President position at Prime Finance primarily centers on financial management and investment strategies, which do not require an Economics degree as a core qualification, even though a general understanding might be advantageous.

ABOUT

[NAME REMOVED] is currently a Vice President for Prime Finance in San Francisco, CA focusing on commercial real estate originations. He was previously a Senior Analyst at Vrde Partners in Minneapolis, MN and a Manager for The Concord Group in Atlanta, GA.He graduated from Stanford University with a bachelors degree in Economics. [NAME REMOVED] has taken classes in finance, accounting, decision modeling, social psychology and mathematics. Being born and raised in the Philippines with dual-citizenship, [NAME REMOVED] has set a professional goal of utilizing his experience and knowledge of Southeast Asia and his passion for real estate and finance to be a truly global investor.

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

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


Looking at the job landscape for graduates with a degree in Economics from Stanford University, it seems like there's quite a mix! Many of these alumni have found their way into roles in education, primarily as math teachers, which highlights how deeply rooted math is in economics. Other notable professions include various positions in marketing, project management, and strategic roles. While some of these jobs, such as those at companies like Goldman Sachs and Amazon, align closely with economic principles, many others in creative or administrative fields seem less tied to economics but still benefit from analytical skills developed during their studies.

Overall, it appears that while some Stanford Economics grads are nailing jobs that resonate directly with their degree—like financial analysts and research analysts—many end up in roles that don't require heavy economic expertise but rather rely more on general analytical skills or creativity. This isn't to say these jobs aren't valuable or interesting; it just shows that an Economics degree can lead to various paths, some more closely connected to the field than others. So, if you're thinking about studying economics, keep in mind that it opens doors to many career options, some directly linked to economics and others that branch out into different domains, sometimes requiring just the analytical thinking and problem-solving skills you've learned along the way!

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 Stanford University):

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

When you look at the career trajectories of Stanford Economics grads, you see a diverse blend of paths, particularly early on after graduation. Many graduates tend to land first jobs in roles that are analytical or research-oriented, like research analysts or marketing specialists. These jobs often serve as a stepping stone into more strategic roles later on. For instance, one graduate went on to work as a Digital Marketing Manager at Stripe and now heads partnerships at various tech companies. Another began as an analyst at Goldman Sachs and quickly moved up to roles like Director of Strategy, showcasing a common trend of rapid advancement in finance and consulting sectors for those who get their foot in the door.

Fast forward five to ten years, and you'd see these grads generally thriving in industries that relate well to their Economics background, often stepping into managerial or senior positions. Many stick with finance and consulting but also venture into tech, healthcare strategy, and partnerships. While there are some who have taken routes in teaching or other creative fields like art direction, the majority seem to gravitate towards positions that leverage their analytical skills and economic training. Overall, it seems like Economics graduates from Stanford land solid jobs relevant to their degree, providing a foundation for fruitful careers, rather than straying too far from their educational roots.

How hard is a Economics degree from Stanford University?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Economics at Stanford is definitely challenging, but it’s not just about the difficulty—it’s the intensity and the environment that make it a unique experience. The coursework can be pretty demanding, with a lot of quantitative analysis, complex theories, and rigorous problem-solving involved. If you’re someone who enjoys math and critical thinking, you might find it more manageable, but for others, it could feel pretty overwhelming at times. Since Stanford attracts some of the brightest students from around the globe, the competition can be fierce, which adds another layer to the challenge. Overall, it's not necessarily harder than other elite programs, but it definitely has its moments where you'll need to buckle down and really work for that degree!

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 Stanford University tend to make good money?

Looking at these Stanford grads, it definitely seems like some of them are raking in decent cash, while others are still on their way up the financial ladder. For example, the ones working at big-name companies like Goldman Sachs, Amazon, or Coinbase likely have pretty hefty salaries now, especially as they’ve moved into senior roles. On the flip side, some folks started off as teachers or in internships, which typically don’t pay as much, and they might still be building their careers. Overall, if these grads stick with their paths and keep climbing the ladder, I'd say they have potential to make some solid money in the future!

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 Stanford 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