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Study Economics

Explore how private interests, public institutions, and interest groups shape social issues. Make positive change through our economics program.

Program Snapshot

Undergraduate Bachelor of Arts

Major, Minor

124

4 Years

Salem Campus

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Our Economics Major & Minor

Navigate the complex world of decision-making. Major in economics and delve into social issues that impact our global society. Experience one-on-one support and hands-on learning to prepare for a career or graduate school.

Why choose Economics at Willamette?

  • Proximity to a strong career network. The State Capitol is just blocks away from campus. Find opportunities with the Legislative Revenue Office, Office of Economic Analysis, Department of Forestry, and other state agencies.
  • Hands-on learning. Through courses, internship options, and student groups, students gain real-world experience that will help them in the future.
  • Liberal arts foundation. We encourage students to study other topics and disciplines. Dive into other subjects to enhance your understanding of economics and its impact around the world.

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Alumni Stories

Our strong alumni network includes leaders in business, law, politics, education, finance, and public administration. Our students have analyzed international economics issues, changed public policies, and worked for consulting firms.

  • Emily Brixey ’15

    Emily Brixey ’15 credits Willamette for opening doors to her fulfilling career.
    Emily Brixey ’15 navigates education policy at KnowledgeWorks, advocating for personalized competency-based learning. Her career journey, from the Oregon State Senate to the Education Commission of the States, reflects her interdisciplinary approach.

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  • Jeremy Coste portrait

    Jeremy Coste ’17

    Jeremy Coste ’17 gives thanks to collaborative environments and close relationships with professors.
    A double major in Mathematics and Economics, Jeremy Coste ’17 became one of Bank of America's youngest directors at just 24. His journey started at Willamette, where he represented the university at the International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition.

Curriculum

Gain a solid foundation in economic theory, quantitative analysis, and critical thinking skills. Through small class sizes, you'll receive one-on-one attention and ample opportunities for engaging in discussions and collaborative projects. Apply economic and social science concepts to real-world problems.

  • ECON 115: Production, Distribution, and Power in Contemporary Economics

    Discover the factors behind wage disparities, the cost of basic goods, and the economic implications of climate change. You'll explore modern issues through a pluralistic framework, gaining insights into market institutions, government policies, and societal structures.

  • ECON 454 The Next System

    Explore alternatives to capitalism, where you'll engage with critical arguments from the production/conflict/labor theory of value tradition. Delve into the critiques of capitalism, analyze historical attempts at socialism, and investigate innovative proposals for future economic systems.

Program Requirements

Our Economics major requires 9 courses or 36 semester hours to complete the degree.

Students pursuing an Economics Minor will need to complete 20 semester hours.

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Financial Aid and Scholarships

Willamette University proudly offers generous merit scholarships and financial aid to our students. There is no separate application required to be considered for these scholarships. All admitted undergraduate applicants are automatically evaluated for merit-based scholarships, which start at $26,000 per year. These scholarships are awarded in recognition of academic excellence, taking into account cumulative GPA and SAT or ACT scores, if taken.

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FAQs

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Economics