Alumni will go on to successful careers a
- Account specialists
- Actuaries
- Business analysts
- Credit analysts
- Data analysts
- Economic forecasters
- Financial advisors
- Financial analysts
- SAP consultants
- Statisticians
Business Economics
- Bachelor of Science
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In This Section
Blending Business Insight and Economic Theory
At its core, economics is about problem-solving with the goal of improving quality of life. The business economics major is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in the corporate world directly after graduation. With an emphasis on mastering analytical and statistical tools and applying them to real-world problems, the program gives students a logical framework to understand the workings of the broader economy. These skills are widely transferable to a variety of fields in the corporate world and public sector. Students can pair their business economics degree with other majors such as finance, marketing, and management, as well as with the SAP Business One program, to develop a niche and enhance their marketability. Armed with analytical tools and a deep understanding of how economies function, business economics majors are empowered to make informed decisions that drive progress—paving the way for meaningful careers and purposeful lives.
Other degrees in economics include:
- Economics and Mathematics (BS) is specifically designed to prepare students to successfully complete a Ph.D. in economics.
- Economics (BS, minor) is designed to prepare students with a broad view of economics and is often paired with another major or minor.
Undergraduate Programs
Program Highlights
Where Theory Tackles Real-World Challenges
At Saint Vincent, economics students use Veconlab software to design experiments, analyze data, and explore issues like inflation, climate policy, and global trade. They turn their findings into journal-style articles and present their work at the Academic Conference. At Saint Vincent, you’ll gain practical skills that prepare you for impactful careers.
Internships That Open Doors
Students have pursued meaningful internships and careers where they apply classroom theory to real-world challenges at companies like including BNY Mellon, PNC, Morgan Stanley, Federated Investors, MGM Resorts International, Kennametal, Independence Health, Bechtel, and Booz Allen Hamilton. Whether analyzing market trends, supporting policy research, or working with financial data, you will gain hands-on experience, build professional networks, and develop in-demand skills that prepare you for careers in business, finance, government, and beyond.
Student Success at Top PhD Programs
Saint Vincent economics graduates have been accepted into elite Ph.D. programs at institutions such as Princeton, Georgetown, the University of Virginia, Indiana University, Ohio State, and Brandeis University—a testament to the program’s academic rigor and strong faculty mentorship.
Careers after Saint Vincent
Our students are well-prepared for careers or graduate study in economics, statistics, analytics, business administration, public policy, and law. With personalized mentorship from dedicated faculty and access to interdisciplinary resources, Saint Vincent graduates are well-prepared to excel in top-tier Ph.D. programs and diverse professional roles in the field of economics.
Our students have secured jobs and internships at a variety of companies in their field and enrolled in prestigious graduate schools such as:
- BNY Mellon
- Excela Health
- Federated Investors
- Kennametal
- MGM Resorts International
- Morgan Stanley
- PNC
- Brandeis University
- Georgetown University
- Indiana University
- Ohio State University
- Princeton University
- University of Virginia
Student Success Stories
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Alex Krieger, C'18
“I look back on my time in the Business Economics program with gratitude. The critical thinking and analysis skills I developed throughout the program have more than adequately prepared me for the real world. Furthermore, I had opportunities to interact with my professors and fellow classmates, which made me feel like I was part of a community. I could tell my professors were invested not just in my academic standing, but my career and development growth as well. I am very happy with my decision to be part of the McKenna School, and I believe my career will continue to benefit from it.”
Business Analytics Consultant Sr., PNC Bank -
Austin Slye, C'24
“I’ve met some of the nicest people at Saint Vincent College and the professors at the McKenna school challenge all their students to become a better version of themselves inside and outside the classroom. I love how the professors from the Economics department apply real-world problems and situations to their coursework to help students post-graduation!”Graduate student, Carnegie Mellon University - Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy -
RJ Kenna, C'24
“After realizing I wanted to study business in college, the decision to attend Saint Vincent was easy. From the people around campus to the professors in the McKenna School, this community truly lives out its Benedictine values. I love being able to study business economics because it provides the perfect combination of economic concepts and ideas with a real-world application to businesses and firms."Implementation Specialist, Stellar One Inc.
Required Curriculum
The business economics major is part of the Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics, and Government and supported by our core curriculum, where students delve into diverse academic subjects at both foundational and advanced levels to explore how different disciplines connect, fostering deeper self-understanding and proficiency in their chosen field of study.
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Major - Required Courses
The business economics major combines the business administration and economics degrees and has requirements in calculus, microeconomics, macroeconomics, and statistics as well as courses in environmental, labor, public and international finance, game theory, and experimental economics.
- BA 101 Financial Accounting II
- EC 200 Environmental Economics
- EC 201 Microeconomic Theory
- EC 202 Macroeconomic Theory
- EC 310 Labor Economics
- EC 331 Public Finance
- EC 353 International Finance
- EC 360 Econometrics
- EC 361 Econometrics Lab I
- EC 380 Game Theory
- EC 390 Experimental Economics
- EC 480 Senior Thesis
- BA 351/A Statistics and Analytics II & Excel II Lab
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Key Courses
Labor Economics: This course studies the interaction between workers and firms in the labor market. Topics include unemployment insurance, retirement, pension plans, unions, human capital development, compensation structure, wage versus fringe benefits, nondiscrimination rules, and discrimination in the job market.
Econometrics: This course is designed as a continuation of the Stats I and II sequence. It covers regression and correlation analysis, multiple regression, and related problems such as multicollinearity, serial correlation and heteroskedasticity. The course is balanced between theoretical development and applications.Game Theory: This course covers the strategic interaction of players (consumers, firms, the government, etc.) in situations where the outcome to one player depends on the actions chosen by others. The course exposes students to the concepts studied by game theorists as well as the set of analytical skills used in game theory.
Experimental Economics: This course focuses on laboratory experimentation as a research tool in applied economics. The course offers both an overview of general principles used in designing, conducting, and evaluating behavior in economic experiments and a review of current research in the field of experimental economics.
Program Distinctives
Scholarship
The Alex G. McKenna Economics Scholarship is awarded to incoming students (freshmen or transfers) who declare a major or minor in economics. Recipients are selected by the Economics Department based on superior academic credentials and potential, including high school (or previous college) academic performance and/or ACT/SAT scores. Selected recipients receive a $2,500 per year scholarship ($10,000 over four years). The scholarship is renewable for four years, assuming continued enrollment and satisfactory academic progress toward a major (or minor) degree in economics.
Interested candidates should email Andy Herr at andy.herr@stvincent.edu.
Accreditation
Our business economics degree is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
