Economics
Economics is, first and foremost, a conceptual approach — a way of thinking about policies, decisions and their implications. We prepare our students for a wide variety of career options, by providing them with a set of analytical skills that can be broadly applied in business, government, consulting and research.
Recent economics majors work for Kohler, Oshkosh Corporation, M&I Bank, U.S. Bank, Thrivent Financial, Fidelity, the U.S. Census Bureau and the USDA, along with a number of private consulting and investment management companies. Average starting salaries for economics majors are among the highest in the College of Business.
Economics is also about research. Our majors take Econometrics, a course requiring them to develop and complete their own research project. Many of our majors have been hired specifically for their research skills. Several have gotten undergraduate research grants to strengthen their research skills, and a number have made presentations of their research at the Midwest Economics Association meetings, the Wisconsin Economics Association meetings, and various undergraduate research forums throughout the state. Five students have published their research in the Oshkosh Scholar.
Econometrics isn't the only class where students gain quantitative and research skills. Students in Urban and Regional Planning conduct in-depth analyzes of the local economic environment in cooperation with Chamco, a local industrial development organization. Students in Macroeconomic Forecasting learn both the technical aspects and art of generating macroeconomic forecasts based on the quantitative assessment of data and evaluation world events. These students present their work to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago each fall.
Most lawyers believe that a major in economics, with its emphasis on logical thinking, is the best preparation for law school. It is also an appropriate major for students considering graduate work in business, sociology and political science, as well as economics. Our economics majors have been accepted into programs at Indiana University, North Carolina State U., Syracuse U., UC Berkeley, UC Davis and UW-Milwaukee. We have also had economics-finance majors accepted into graduate programs at Florida State and Virginia Tech.
Distinctions
- Average starting salaries in 2008: $47,326
- Students participate in the Fed challenge
- Research and project-based experience though Econometrics course
Career Opportunities
- Banking
- Corporate finance
- Government
- Consulting
- Research
Thinking about Graduate School? This document will provide answers to many questions and concerns.
Additional UW Oshkosh Economics information – Who has earned their degree in economics? What can I do with an economics degree? How do I get a job with an economics degree?
Economics Curriculum Information
Planning sheet for economics courses
