With its blend of social studies, science, and humanities, understanding economics prepares you to lead in a range of relevant, in-demand fields—from government and marketing to academia and banking.
Our distinction is real-world learning, and we work hard to pair you with immersive experiences tailored to your career goals and personal interests. These experiences build upon fundamentals you gain in the classroom and encourage professional connections with influential leaders.

Projects

Among our many immersive opportunities, three stand out:

The Fed Challenge Competition gives economics students the chance to put their skills to the test, presenting forecasts and policy recommendations to the Federal Reserve, private sector, and academic economists.

The course involves an in-depth study of U.S. monetary policy, an important and highly relevant subject for the serious business student. The class culminates in the Fed Challenge each November in Chicago. Students present their analysis of current economic conditions in the context of a simulated Federal Reserve policy meeting.

You’re on the spot for 35 minutes, doing a real-world policy presentation in front of a judges’ panel of three highly trained economists. The competition draws some big name schools from our region, and the winner goes on to Washington, D.C., to compete against other regional winners from across the country.

For serious, well-prepared, hard-working students, the payoff is great. You’ll develop the capacity to apply economic theory, analyze economic data, and interpret financial and economic news like the pros.

How to Enroll

Before enrolling in the class, you must take ECON 202 and ECON 221, and gain permission from the Fed Challenge faculty sponsor, Nicholas Curott.

The Colloquium on Economics of Markets, Trade, and Exchange (ECON 495) is a one-credit hour immersive seminar that brings students and community members together to discuss scholarly economic texts.

Typically 10 students pair with five community members during this partnership with the E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center, which hosts the class.

Ball State's Center for Economic Education is one of a number of university centers in Indiana that work with the Indiana Council for Economic Education. The council offers training for economics teachers and community-based programs, targeting those who want a better understanding of how economics affect community.