First, some facts. Of the Economics graduates from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 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 16 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 54%, Economics graduates from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities have a much lower likelihood (-13%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 25% 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:
Relevance score: 90%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2010 from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONLoan Administration AssistantWestern Bank Jun 2010 - Oct 2011 Accountant/Financial Analyst Western Bank Oct 2011 - May 2013 Financial Analyst Convergys May 2013 - Jul 2014 Senior Financial Analyst Convergys Jul 2014 - Dec 2014 Accountant/Financial Analyst III - Credit Reporting TCF Bank Dec 2014 - Jul 2015 Accountant/Financial Analyst III - External Reporting TCF Bank Aug 2015 - Feb 2017 Financial Analyst IV - Residential Mortgage TCF Bank Mar 2017 - Sep 2018 AVP, Transaction Manager - Portfolio Sales and Acquisitions TCF Bank Sep 2018 - Oct 2021 Vice President, Transaction Management Pretium Oct 2021 - May 2022 Vice President, Transaction Management Mill City Asset Management May 2022 - Dec 2023 Vice President, Investment Operations AB CarVal Jan 2024 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at jobs held by graduates of the Economics program at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, it seems like a mixed bag. Many of the roles fall into finance and analysis categories, such as Financial Analyst or positions involving economic research. These positions often directly apply economic theories and data analysis skills that students learn throughout their degree. In particular, roles like Senior Financial Analyst or any title with "Transaction Management" resonate well with the economics curriculum, as they require a solid understanding of market dynamics, financial principles, and economic strategies.
However, there are also several positions that are pretty far removed from Economics. For instance, many graduates found themselves in roles like Digital Merchandise Planner or Sales Manager, which, while they may occasionally use some analytical skills borrowed from economics, generally don’t involve the core concepts of economic theory. In fact, some roles like the Talent Acquisition Associate or positions in media sales seem to rely more on soft skills or administrative functions rather than critical economic principles. So, while many graduates are indeed landing relevant jobs, a fair number are also ending up in positions that don't fully capitalize on their Economics education. It’s a good reminder that not all career paths taken by economics majors are strictly tied to what they studied – it all depends on how they leverage their skills and knowledge in the job market!
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 University of Minnesota-Twin Cities):
Graduates from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities who've studied Economics tend to embark on pretty promising career trajectories. Right out of college, many of them land their first jobs in financial analysis, data analytics, or similar roles that leverage their analytical skills. For instance, those who graduated in 2010 and 2011 often started in roles like financial analysts or assistants in banking and retail, which are clearly related to their Economics degree. As they gain experience, they typically move up the ranks to senior analyst positions or even managerial roles, showcasing a solid progression in their careers. It’s evident that many of them are finding jobs that not only relate to their studies but also contribute to significant advancements in their careers over time.
If we look at what they are doing five or ten years after graduation, it’s clear a lot of these individuals stay in the finance and analytics fields, sometimes progressing into higher-level roles like vice presidents or directors. Graduates from more recent years are steadily climbing the ranks in various sectors like banking, consulting, and tech, indicating strong career stability and growth. Although there are some exceptions, like a few opting for unrelated fields, most are leveraging their Economics background to build successful careers in roles that require strong analytical and financial skills. Overall, these graduates reflect a positive outcome regarding their degree, demonstrating that an Economics education from this university generally opens doors to solid, relevant career paths.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Economics at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities can be a pretty challenging experience, but it's not impossible. The coursework tends to involve a lot of math and analytical thinking, especially with classes like microeconomics and statistics, which can trip up some students who aren't super comfortable with numbers. That said, if you enjoy problem-solving and understanding how the economy works, you might find it engaging rather than overwhelming. Compared to some other majors, like engineering or physics, it might feel a bit more manageable, but it still requires a solid commitment to studying and keeping up with the material. So, if you’re ready to put in the effort and you have an interest in the subject, you can definitely handle it!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Economics.
Based on the job pathways of these Economics grads from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, it looks like many of them have landed solid gigs that probably pay pretty decent money. The first grad climbed all the way to a Vice President role in investment operations, which usually means they're raking in a pretty good salary. The others, especially those working up the ranks at well-known companies like Kohl's, JPMorgan Chase, and even SpaceX, likely aren't doing too shabby either. Some, like the grad who's been a Senior Financial Analyst at DaVita or the one in Project Management at a reputable consulting firm, are probably pulling in competitive salaries for their roles. Of course, there are a few who may be starting out or not advancing as quickly, but overall, it seems like they're on a path to make a good living, especially if they keep pushing forward in their careers.
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 University of Minnesota-Twin Cities). This may or may not be useful:
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: