School of Economic Sciences

Economic Sciences

Economists study how people use resources, respond to incentives, and make decisions.

Explore the Possibilities

With an economics major, you will thrive on intellectual curiosity and be motivated to positively impact the world around you.

You will study how decisions regarding business strategy, finance, health, climate policy, transportation, or agribusiness are made. They are equipped with lifelong analytical skills to add value and influence change—skills that are transferable around the world.

Economic Sciences offers an array of personally and financially rewarding career opportunities for students who seek strengths in analytical thinking and strategic decision making. The degree is STEM certified. Economics graduates are well-paid, earning a higher median entry salary than all business majors.

Major Options

 You may choose from these degree specializations: 

  • Agricultural Economics
  • Agriculture & Food Business Economics
  • Business Economics
  • Environmental & Resource Economics
  • Economics, Policy & Law
  • International Economics & Development
  • Financial Markets
  • Quantitative Economics

Career Opportunities

  • Agribusiness & Food Business Management
  • Consulting
  • Data Analytics & Big Data
  • Econometrics & Forecasting
  • Energy Management & Policy
  • Environmental Management & Damage Assessment
  • Finance
  • Gaming & Sports Economic Analysis
  • Government Economist
  • Marketing
  • Pre-Law
  • Supply Chain Management
Students gathered around a computer.

Quick Facts

$62,000 Average starting salary of economics graduates (Payscale, 2022)
#4 Best Online BS degree
8:1 Student to faculty ratio
$60k+ Awarded in scholarship

Major Requirements

Minimum Total Credits: 120 credits

Your program may include different courses. Consult with your advisor about the best combination and order of courses for you. Visit the WSU Catalog for a list of required courses for this major and course descriptions.

General Education Requirements: 40 credits

Economics Core Requirements: 34 credits

  • ECONS 101 Fundamentals of Microeconomics – 3 credits
  • ECONS 102 Fundamentals of Macroeconomics – 3 credits
  • ECONS 301 Intermediate Microeconomics – 3 credits
  • ECONS 302 Intermediate Macroeconomics – 3 credits
  • ECONS 311 Econometrics – 3 credits
  • ECONS 490 Economics Capstone – 3 credits
  • ECONS 497 Internship or ECONS 499 Special Problems or ECONS 483 Study Abroad or ECONS 495 Instructional Practicum – 3 credits
  • ENGL 402 Tech & Prof. Writing – 3 credits
  • MATH 201 Math Bus/Econ (3 cr) or 220 Intro Linear Algebra (2 cr)
  • MATH 202 Calculus for Bus/Econ or 171 Calculus I – 4 credits
  • STAT 212 Intro Stat Methods or MgtOp 215 Statistics – 4 credits

Economics Option Requirements (depends on option): 24–33 credits

Electives Outside the Major (depends on option): 13–22 credits

During my WSU education, I was strongly supported and encouraged by the SES staff and faculty and had ample opportunity to apply what I learned to the real world. Obtaining an economics degree has made me marketable in a variety of career fields. 

Hayley Hohman, Sr. Business Intelligence Analyst, Nordstrom.
Hayley Hohman.