Online Economics Degrees

Do you enjoy working in a business environment and have a deeply analytical mind? Then a degree in economics can help you set the stage for a fast-paced, rewarding career.

From working as an information analyst to managing sales or business consulting, an economics degree offers a valuable set of skills that are marketable across a variety of professional occupations.

Careers in Economics

A degree in economics prepares you for a wide range of professional careers, including work in market research, finances, and business operations.

In the table below, we have put together a short list of various job opportunities in the field of economics as well as their median annual salaries according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

From the information above, it is easy to see the diversity of an economics degree. With advanced skills in management, technology, and research, you may be able to work your way up the corporate ladder to top-paying positions within a company.

While you may make more or less than the numbers listed above, all of the careers listed offer wages above the national average across all occupations.

Types of Online Economics Degrees

With the advancement of technology over the last several years, many accredited universities and colleges have begun offering economics degrees through online learning platforms.

Typically, those interested in pursuing this professional business field begin their education with a bachelor’s level degree program.

Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Economics

The goal of an online bachelor’s degree in economics program is to help you develop the skillset necessary to describe society and businesses from an analytical point of view. By studying society through the lens of mathematics and statistics, you will be able to help businesses become more efficient and contribute to the growing body of research surrounding the field of economics.

During the course of your bachelor’s degree program, you will learn valuable skills that are useful in a variety of professional environments. The courses that you take will focus on many key learning objectives, including:

• Forecasting market trends
• Understanding pricing policies
• Evaluating the economic environment
• Advising management on strategic decisions
• Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data

After successful completion of your online economics degree, you will have the opportunity to pursue entry-level employment in a variety of careers, including work as an economist, financial examiner, and operations research analyst.

Online Master’s Degrees in Economics

There are several advantages to taking your education to the next level with a graduate degree in economics. Through innovative online platforms, you will work towards learning advanced skills that are valuable for management positions or for working within the public policy environment. There are also several ways that you can customize this degree by specializing in a number of different economic concentrations.

You will take several advanced level courses in order to successfully graduate from an online master’s in economics program, including:

• Financial econometrics
• Behavioral and international economics
• Law and economics
• Microeconomics theory
• Game theory

To earn your master’s degree in economics, you will typically be required to complete around 30 credit hours over 2 years. Through online learning, you may also have the opportunity to accelerate your degree program to finish your coursework in a shorter timeframe than traditional, on-campus students.

Economics Career Outlook and Salary Information

With the changing economic marketplace and continued integration of technology across a number of industries, those who are interested in working within the field of economics are seeing a rise in the number of jobs available.

As the career opportunities for economics majors are varied, we recommend using data from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics to make an informed decision on your future career goals.

According to the BLS, professional economists can expect to see a 13% increase in employment over the next 10 years. However, Operations Research Analysts are projected to grow 25% as technology advances and companies seek efficiency and cost savings. Market research analysts are projected to see 22% growth as the need for data and market research increases across many industries.

Although economists can expect only average employment growth over the next 10 years, their annual median salary is reported at $105,630.

View our list of the top 40 Economics careers to compare jobs and salaries in this field.

Is an Online Degree in Economics Right for me?

There are many reasons why students choose to pursue their economics degrees online. For some, they enjoy the opportunity of taking accelerated courses to get on the fast track to graduation. For other students, having the convenience of flexible scheduling is essential to balancing their career or family obligations.

Regardless of your reason for pursuing your degree online, it is important to understand that economics degrees involve the same rigorous course work whether you are a traditional or virtual student. Those who excel in online learning are typically students who are self-motivated and have strong organizational skills and a desire to learn.

While online degrees have their challenges, there are also many advantages to pursuing your economics degree online. A few of the popular reasons why students enjoy an online education environment include:

• Ability to choose when and where you log on to your classes
• Opportunities to specialize in a number of different economic fields
• Exposure to advanced technology and educational platforms that help build a unique skillset
• Potential for lower tuition costs

While traditional college is often considered an opportunity to build your social network, you can still make connections with classmates and instructors through online learning.

Through the use of live lectures, discussion boards, and collaborative projects, you will have the chance to connect with economics professionals and fellow students from around the country.

Comparing Top Economics Degree Programs

Choosing a university is the first major decision many students have to make on their educational journey. While the majority of online economics degrees are offered through virtual programs out of accredited, traditional colleges, it is still important to consider the following factors when choosing a school that is right for you.

Accreditation

Accreditation is the process in which a higher education institution has its curriculum independently reviewed by one of the recognized accrediting agencies. By choosing an economics degree program that is accredited, you have the peace of mind that your education is of high quality and respected within the professional arena.

The U.S. Department of Education recognizes several national and regional accreditation agencies. For a full list of the agencies that are respected throughout the field of economics, take a look at the U.S. Department of Education’s website.

Student to Faculty Ratio

Small class sizes in economics courses benefit both the students and the instructors by increasing student engagement and allowing professors to provide more one on one support. When colleges make a commitment to keeping low student-to-faculty ratios in their online degree programs, students have a greater chance of reaching their full potential.

Economics is a specialized field, and it is important that the instructors at your school have a strong background in the courses that they will be teaching.

Academic Advising and Student Services

Successfully completing your economics degree online takes a great amount of dedication and students often have the opportunity to be further supported by their school’s student services programs.

While working towards your degree in economics, there are many different ways that your college can advise and support you throughout your education, including:

• Peer mentorship and online tutoring programs
• Opportunities for internships and job-shadowing in a variety of economic fields
• Extensive online resources for students to complete research projects and coursework
• Virtual career and academic advisement services to keep your Economics degree program on track
• 24/7 technical support to help you get the most out of your online learning

If you have a mathematical mind and a passion for business, research, and the study of society, then an economics degree may be the perfect fit for you. By completing your economics degree online, you have the unique opportunity to further your education in a field with exceptional potential for lucrative salaries and future growth.