Economics
Orfalea College of Business
Economics is the study of how people choose to use resources and respond to incentives. It’s a way of thinking, which you can apply to nearly any aspect of the world including business strategy, public policy and philanthropy.
San Luis Obispo, California
Economics majors may either complete a degree in general economics or choose a specific concentration.
Economics majors can either complete studies in General Economics or choose one of nine different concentrations:
Accounting
With an accounting concentration, you will gain a thorough knowledge of accounting and tax laws and how to apply them in practical business scenarios. Accounting Area graduating classes often reach 100 percent employment.
Consumer Packaging
The packaging program blends technical packaging courses with a marketing and entrepreneurship curriculum to allow you to learn how to conceptualize packaging designs that meet customer needs and validate designs with data and customer insights.
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Entrepreneurship
The entrepreneurship concentration immerses you in a variety of business activity—strategy, marketing, sales, people management, technology, finance, accounting and more— to provide you with all the skills necessary to help businesses prosper. With an entire spectrum of resources available through the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), including mentorship, pitch competitions, training and more, you have the opportunity to turn vision into reality.
Financial Management
A financial management concentration gives you the knowledge and insight to manage anything from income securities to personal portfolios. You will work with the latest technology and focus on computer science, accounting, economics and more.
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Information Systems
The information systems concentration combines the study of people, organization and technology and trains you in the technological skills and business strategies they influence. Information technology is highly valued, so IS students are in high demand among tech firms, consulting firms, startups and many other companies.
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Management and Human Resources
The management and human resources concentration develops versatile leaders who are well-versed in organizational design, development and change, global business management and negotiation. The human resources portion of the curriculum facilitates practice in recruitment, staffing, training, development and compensation.
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Marketing
The marketing concentration produces agile, flexible marketers who understand how the puzzle pieces of data analysis, creative strategy and customer relations fit together. Graduates are prepared for technical careers in data science, creative careers in advertising, relational careers in sales, and much more.
Quantitative Analysis
A concentration in quantitative analysis gives you the ability to analyze market data and trends in a number of different industries, allowing you to become a data expert. Companies from a wide spectrum of industries recognize the growing value of data analysis and are eager to hire graduates with this expertise.
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Real Estate Finance
The real estate concentration will give you a broad background in all aspects of the real estate industry. The concentration helps prepare you for careers in real estate investment banking, consulting, insurance, brokerage firms and startups.
About the Program
A degree in economics provides a firm grounding in modern theories and teaches you to apply quantitative data, empirical research, and independent thought to economic and public policy's most engaging problems.
The program allows you to gain foundational knowledge in micro and macroeconomics, econometrics and research methodology, along with many opportunities for hands-on learning and real-world projects.
Students often major in economics to build a foundation in quantitative analysis and then concentrate in marketing, accounting, finance or management. As an Economics major, you have the option to choose to focus on general economics and/or any of the college’s nine different concentrations. The degree is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Learn by Doing
We encourage you to put concept into practice by participating in internships, competitions and class projects that reflect current business challenges. You will work with live data, consult with clients across California and engage in activities that fine tune your skills. By applying your knowledge to a variety of fields, you will develop the economic expertise and research skills that will benefit you after graduation.
Build an Economic Model
Our Graduates
An undergraduate major in economics opens many possibilities for employment.
A variety of large firms including banks, technology companies, consulting firms and manufacturing companies recruit economists in substantial numbers in areas such as forecasting, data science, industry analysis and litigation. There are also many opportunities for employment in government at the state, federal or international levels, and in education. The program additionally prepares you to undertake graduate study in economics, law, public policy and/or business administration.