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Quick Facts

  Next Start Date: January 6, 2025


National employment opportunities for economics degree holders are projected to grow by 5 percent over the next 10 years (Source: Lightcast™ – economicmodeling.com). Ball State University’s bachelor’s in economics will prepare you for this growth with high-demand skills that you can immediately apply to your current and future career.

You’ll gain a solid foundation of concepts, theories, and economic practices. Majoring in economics is a great choice if you plan on pursuing a master of business administration (MBA).

 What Skills Will I Gain?

An economics degree provides you with an opportunity to develop numerous skills that are needed to understand the ever-changing and increasingly globalized economy. These skills and insights will make you competitive in a demanding job market. The skills you gain in the classroom can be used the next day in your job. With an economics degree, you’ll gain skills in:

  • Critical thinking and reasoning
  • Data analysis
  • General business operations and trends
  • Writing and communication

 Career Outcomes

Earning your bachelor’s degree in economics will open career opportunities in a variety of sectors including government, law, banking, education, business, non-profit, and more. A sample of careers and job titles include:

  • Auditor
  • Economist
  • Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialist
  • Financial Advisor
  • Management Analysis
  • Market Research Analyst

The return on investment of an online bachelor's in economics remains strong. Recent analysis published in the "American Economics Journal: Applied Economics" showed a $22,000 increase (46%) in early career wages compared with other bachelor's degree recipients.

Grants for College

Good news for Indiana adult students! The Indiana Commission for Higher Education is offering college grants for adults returning to college, or even beginning their educational journey. The Adult Student Grant awards up to $2,000 to help pay for your college expenses and is renewable. This grant is available to Indiana residents, aged 25 and older, who are enrolled or will be enrolled in an undergraduate program.* Review the requirements below and learn if you qualify for the Adult Student Grant.

Learn More about the Adult Student Grant

*Additional requirements are listed on the Indiana Commission for Higher Education Adult Student Grant website.

 What Sets Our Graduates Apart

You’ll learn from skilled faculty who are experienced professionals in the business and economics fields. They take the time to get to know you and your career goals, and help you achieve them.  

You’ll experience hands-on learning that can be put into practice the next day at your current job. We encourage you to participate in internships and other real-world learning opportunities through such endeavors as the Federal Reserve Challenge Competition, and other key learning opportunities through the Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute and the Center for Business and Economic Research.

 Online Economics Courses

Ball State focuses on the student experience, placing emphasis on smaller class sizes, personal attention from faculty, and immersive learning. The commitment to student experience is the same whether you’re on campus or online. Curriculum for the bachelor’s in economics is comprised of:

  • University Core Curriculum
  • Business school foundation or liberal arts courses
  • Specialized economics courses
  • General electives

You can also pair your bachelor’s in economics with one of our many minors to tailor your bachelor’s degree and career even further.

View All Courses

Transfer Credits

Many adult students already have some college credit completed when they begin their studies with Ball State Online. In fact, more than 90 percent of bachelor’s degree seekers transfer some or all of their previous credits. If you fall under this category, contact your student success specialist to learn more about transferring your credits to Ball State.

Ivy Tech and Vincennes Graduates

If you have an associate of science degree in business administration from Ivy Tech Community College or Vincennes University, you can begin earning your Ball State bachelor’s in economics entirely online, and with a Junior status.

Meet Your Advisor

The role of your academic advisor is more than telling you which courses to take. For starters, they are student success specialists, and they are dedicated to your academic success. You’ll work with the same specialist from application to graduation.

Contact your Student Success Specialist, who can answer questions you have about the program.

Online Learning at a Glance

Our 100 percent online bachelor's degree is designed with the working adult in mind. Courses are asynchronous, meaning you can complete them at a pace that fits into your daily routine without worrying about being late to class. Many students take one or two courses at a time until they find the right balance between work, classes, and other responsibilities.

You’ll earn a reputable Ball State degree whether you’re taking classes in a physical or online classroom.

 Ready to Apply?

An application and all required application materials must be received two weeks prior to the start of classes for a given term in order to be considered for admission to Ball State. Our semester start dates can be found in Ball State’s academic calendar.

Whether you are transferring credits in from another university or have never taken college courses before now, we invite you to learn about Ball State's admission requirements and how to apply to this program.

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Students from Other States

Ball State is authorized by the U.S. Department of Education to accept online students from all U.S. states. However, if you are considering a program that leads to professional licensure, some states may have additional regulations. Review our state authorization website if you live outside of Indiana and contact us if you have questions.

Want to Learn More?

Do you have questions about this program or online learning? We’re here to help! You may request more information using our online form, or feel free to reach out directly to one of our staff.

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