Business Economics

Oakland University business economics degree turns the community into your classroom.

Located in one of the nation’s most dynamic economic regions, Oakland University provides business economics majors with extraordinary opportunities. You won’t simply learn business economics out of textbook. You’ll get a real-world education, earning a business economics degree that includes first-hand interaction with major corporations, civic organizations, policy makers, academic researchers, and other community agents. Our business economics major is flexible enough to put you on almost any career path you choose, yet rigorous enough to earn national recognition from the scholarly journal Economic Inquiry. You’ll graduate with an elite business economics degree and hands-on experience that stands out on your resume or grad-school application.

Located in one of the nation’s most dynamic economic regions, Oakland University provides business economics majors with extraordinary opportunities. You won’t simply learn business economics out of textbook. You’ll get a real-world education, earning a business economics degree that includes first-hand interaction with major corporations, civic organizations, policy makers, academic researchers, and other community agents. Our business economics major is flexible enough to put you on almost any career path you choose, yet rigorous enough to earn national recognition from the scholarly journal Economic Inquiry. You’ll graduate with an elite business economics degree and hands-on experience that stands out on your resume or grad-school application.

Business Economics Degree: The Oakland University Advantage

Oakland University’s partnerships in the public, private and nonprofit sectors add tremendous value to your business economics degree. You’ll establish connections with organizations and people who lead today’s global industries, as well as pioneers who are driving innovation in autonomous vehicles, renewable energy, high-tech health care and other industries. Few business economics majors enter the job market with this type of experience on their resume.

Our business economics degree also stands out for its:

  • Unique research opportunities. The Economics Department houses the Southeastern Michigan Economic Data Center, a world-class resource that serves corporations, government agencies and media outlets throughout the region. You’ll get valuable experience with advanced data research, trend analysis, business economic forecasting and more.
  • Meaningful internships. Our business economics majors are heavily recruited for internships because they’re prepared to contribute immediately. You’ll get challenging opportunities, real mentorship, and the chance to showcase your talent.
  • Postgraduate success rate. Graduates of Oakland University’s business programs have an exceptional rate of postgraduate success. According to our most recent survey (from the Class of 2017), 95 percent of business majors went directly into jobs or advanced-degree programs upon graduation.
  • Exceptional faculty. Our business economics program is led by nationally recognized experts who’ve distinguished themselves as scholars, business leaders, and policymakers. With small class sizes and attentive instructors, we provide a high degree of one-on-one faculty guidance.
  • Academic excellence. We’re among the handful of business schools (fewer than 1 percent worldwide) to hold accreditation in both accounting and business from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). And our business programs have earned national rankings from US News & World Report, CEO Magazine, Princeton Review, and other leading publications.

What can you do with a business economics degree?

Business Economics Careers

Our business economics degree equips you with adaptable skills that have value in every industry, including writing, research, data analysis, and team collaboration. This degree lends itself to many different career paths.

If you’re interested in graduate school, a business economics degree can be an excellent springboard to an MBA, law degree, master’s in public administration, doctorate in economics, or other advanced degree.

Whether you go directly into the workforce or continue your education, the business economics degree offers a strong foundation for a wide range of career areas, including:

  • Banking
  • Finance
  • Corporate leadership
  • Public administration
  • Nonprofit leadership
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Academic research

Business Economics: What You’ll Study

The business economics major covers a broad range of subject matter. You can customize the business economics degree up to a point by choosing electives and independent projects to focus on areas of particular interest. Courses address a wide array of topics, including:

  • Macroeconomics
  • Microeconomics
  • Public finance
  • Environmental economics
  • Consumer behavior
  • Management
  • Metrics and data analysis
  • Health care
  • International trade and economic development
  • Human resources
  • Market analysis
  • Economic history
  • Risk management
  • Urban economics
  • Market analysis