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Department of Economics

Become Great Decision-Makers

Our department prepares students to explore current events, sharpen analytical skills, create and evaluate arguments about economic issues, analyze public policies and identify chains of cause and effect.  Students learn key economic frameworks for making choices and apply those frameworks to all sorts of situations.

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What Sets Us Apart

Four reasons to study economics at Radford University

  • Strong career trajectories

    Estimated starting wages near $73K, with long-term earning potential reaching $115K — and a placement rate above 95%.

  • Multiple pathways

    B.B.A., B.S. with two concentrations, and two minors — a program tailored to your goals.

  • Teaching-focused faculty

    Small classes, accessible professors, and more than 70% of courses with zero textbook cost.

  • Sustainable development concentration

    Economics meets environmental policy and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

 

Career Outlook: Where Can an Economics Degree Take You?

  • $73.2K

    Estimated starting wage for economics graduates

  • $115.5K

    Long-term earning potential

  • >95%

    Graduate placement rate among reporting Radford University Economics alumni

  • 41.6%

    Economics graduates who go on to earn advanced degrees

  • 7%

    Projected job growth through 2032 (BLS)

  • $121K+

    Top median salary among economics-related careers

Wage estimates based on 2010–2024 labor market data for economics degree holders. Earning potential reflects national median for mid-career economics professionals (Federal Reserve Bank of New York, 2026). Placement rate reflects reported outcomes among graduating Economics majors.

An economics degree opens doors across virtually every sector of the economy. Our own alumni have landed careers in information technology, cybersecurity, and consulting (27%); corporate and large business sectors (20%); finance, banking, and insurance (18%); public service and government (10%); and graduate and professional programs (12%).

Nationally, economists, data scientists, statisticians, market research analysts, and policy researchers all rank among the top career destinations for economics graduates — with median salaries ranging from $63,000 to over $121,000. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects steady 7% job growth in economics-related fields through 2032, with strong demand in finance, government, consulting, and healthcare.

More than 41% of economics graduates nationally go on to earn advanced degrees — reflecting both the intellectual rigor the field builds and the doors it opens for law school, MBA programs, and graduate study in economics and public policy.

Find Your Program

Economics is one of the most versatile degrees you can earn. Whether you are drawn to business, public policy, technology, finance, or sustainability, there is a path designed for you. The B.B.A. pairs naturally with other degrees in the Davis College of Business and Economics. The B.S. lets you go deep into economic analysis or focus your studies on sustainability and environmental policy. And if you are already pursuing another degree, our minors in Economics and Economic Forecasting offer powerful complements to virtually any field of study. The bottom line: an Economics degree teaches you to think. Thinking clearly, analytically, and critically is something every industry needs.

  • B.B.A. in Economics

    Business-focused. Pairs naturally with other degrees in the Davis College of Business and Economics. Develop the analytical and quantitative skills employers in finance, consulting, and industry actively seek.

  • B.S. in Economics

    Economics Concentration

    Rigorous and flexible. Develop your ability to analyze markets, evaluate policies, and think through complex problems with clarity and precision. Graduates pursue careers across finance, government, technology, consulting, healthcare, and beyond.

  • B.S. in Economics

    Sustainable Development Concentration

    Environmental policy meets the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Prepares you to work at the intersection of economics, policy, and social change — in government, nonprofits, international organizations, and the private sector.

  • Minor in Economics

    Sharpen your analytical toolkit alongside any major. A powerful complement to degrees in business, political science, criminal justice, public health, and many others.

  • Minor in Economic Forecasting

    Quantitative methods for a data-driven world. An ideal pairing for students in business, finance, data science, or any field where understanding what comes next provides a competitive edge.

 

 

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