Economics

Economics and Augustana's liberal arts? A great combo. Because in your field you’ll want to: 

• Communicate well.

• Understand the ethics and social impact of economics.

• Solve problems through research and analysis, and exposure to multiple perspectives.

As an economics major or minor, you’ll study macro- and microeconomics, and focus on topics such as development or environmental economics, international trade and finance. Many students double-major in accounting, business administration, data analytics or mathematics. Others broaden their education and future opportunities through a second major in a language or the natural or social sciences.

Outside of class

You’ll have many opportunities for professional experience, including:

• Student Investment Club, managing a portfolio of about $100K

• Business Club

• CFA (Chartered Financial Analysis) Institute Research Challenge 

• EDGE Entrepreneurial Center in CORE (Careers, Opportunities, Research, Exploration)

• Internships in the Quad Cities, around the country and internationally

Distinctions

• About 75% of Augustana economics majors continue on and excel in graduate programs — most in law school or MBA programs, others for economics, statistics, finance or public policy. Still others go directly into careers in government or industry.

• Home to more than four municipalities and more than 30,000 businesses — including Deere & Company World Headquarters, 3M, Arconic and the Rock Island Arsenal — the Quad Cities is a rich environment for economists.

• During the annual Business Day, a premier job-shadowing event exclusively for Augustana students, economics majors job-shadow with an employer they choose from among hundreds of area companies.

• Our students shine in the annual CFA Institute Research Challenge global competition, which tests college/university students’ analytic, valuation, report writing and presentation skills. In only our second year participating, Augustana won the silver in the Chicago region, ahead of the University of Chicago, among others.

Recent graduates

Joe Marcucci  '23 is pursuing a juris doctorate at the University of North Carolina School of Law.

Shadrick Muntari Whabyely '23 is pursuing a master's in environmental planning and management at the University of Illinois Springfield. 

Joseph McCoy  '23 is a multimedia journalist and on-air talent with WQAD News 8 in Moline, Ill.

Molli Naber  '22 is an economist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Allison Bandera  ’21 is studying environmental law at Marquette University.

Chandler Behrens  ’20 is a financial analyst at HNI Corporation.

Maggie Jokinen  ’20 earned a juris doctorate at Northwestern University's Pritzker School of Law and is working at Sidley Austin LLP in Chicago.

Jake Knox  ’19 is a math teacher at Bolingbrook High School In suburban Chicago.

Mitch Johnson  ’18 is a director and actuary at Horace Mann Educators Corporation in Springfield, Ill.

Sarah Funke  '17 is an auditor manager at Deloitte in Minneapolis.