B.S. in Economics

The Department of Economics at Iowa State University offers a Bachelor of Science Degree in economics through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS). Economics is widely recognized as a solid background for many jobs and professions in business, government, and the law and also provides excellent preparation for advanced study in law, international affairs, business, and economics. The economics program of study at Iowa State allows you to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in four years. You may choose electives in areas that are complementary to economics course work, such as pre-law, general business, agricultural business, finance, international affairs, sales and marketing, advertising, journalism, environmental studies, or public administration. Our students have been successful in both attaining employment and in further pursuing their academic interests at the graduate level. A significant number of our undergraduates continue their studies in graduate programs, while others have become gainfully employed in such areas as marketing, sales, research, finance, and teaching. Career Opportunities ISU Economics majors receive training in Mathematics, Statistics, Humanities, other Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences. Advanced courses in such areas as International Economics, Environmental & Natural Resource Economics, Law and Economics, and Public Finance, provide the main structure of the program. Also, as a joint department with agricultural economics, our graduates have the added benefit of taking complementary courses related to the economics of Agriculture. Students obtaining employment immediately upon graduation are usually those with the best college records and a willingness to relocate to a find a job. Some of these jobs may require education beyond a bachelors' degree. Examples of career opportunities include: Federal, State, and Local Government Private Industry Research Business Management Finance Banking Marketing Public Administration International Affairs Loan Officer Sales Teaching Commodity Broker Insurance Law School Graduate School Self-employment Personnel Management Management Relations Merchandising and Retailing Regional Economic Development and Planning