Bachelor's in Economics

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

McDaniel College Budapest

Program Overview

McDaniel College Budapest offers a Bachelor's in Economics designed for students passionate about understanding global markets, policy-making, and business strategy in an international setting—perfect if you're curious about how economies shape the world and want hands-on skills for careers in finance, consulting, or government. You'll dive into core economic principles, data analysis, and real-world applications, all while benefiting from our Budapest campus's vibrant European location that attracts students from over 27 countries for a truly global perspective.

Curriculum Structure
Year 1: Building Foundations
In your first year, you'll establish a strong base in economic thinking and quantitative tools through courses like Principles of Economics and Mathematics for Economists, exploring how markets work and using math to model real economic scenarios. This sets the stage for analytical skills while introducing business basics, helping you see economics as the backbone of decision-making in everyday life.

Year 2: Core Theories and Applications
Year two ramps up with Intermediate Microeconomics and Macroeconomics, where you'll analyze consumer behavior, firm strategies, and national economies, plus Statistics for Economics to master data interpretation. These courses sharpen your ability to tackle complex problems like inflation or trade policies, blending theory with practical tools used by economists worldwide.

Year 3: Specialized Insights
By year three, dive into International Economics and Econometrics, studying global trade dynamics and using statistical models to test economic hypotheses on real datasets. You'll also explore Economic Policy Analysis, learning to evaluate government interventions, preparing you to think critically about issues like Brexit or emerging markets.

Year 4: Capstone and Integration
Your final year culminates in a Senior Capstone Seminar—a case-study intensive where you'll apply everything from business administration and economics to solve real business challenges, often with internships or study abroad. Courses like Advanced Economic Theory tie it all together, ensuring you graduate with a portfolio-ready project that showcases your expertise to employers.

Focus Areas
International trade, econometrics, economic policy, business strategy, and global markets—tailored for a connected world.

Learning Outcomes
Graduates gain skills in economic modeling, data-driven policy analysis, critical thinking for global challenges, and strategic business decision-making, ready to excel in dynamic careers.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
McDaniel College is fully accredited by the Commission on Higher Education, ensuring your Bachelor's in Economics meets rigorous U.S. standards, with seamless recognition across Europe via our Budapest campus.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)
As one of the original "Colleges That Change Lives", McDaniel boasts a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, 99% of faculty with terminal degrees, and strong outcomes—over 1,600 undergrads from 37 states and 27 countries land internships, research stipends, and jobs, with on-campus recruiting and high retention rates fueling top employability.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At McDaniel College Budapest, our Bachelor's in Economics program puts real-world practice front and center, so you're not just studying theory—you're building skills employers crave through hands-on projects, faculty-guided research, and global opportunities tailored to economics. You'll dive into experiential learning right from the start, using tools like the Handshake platform for internships and career connections, plus events like our department's annual Interviewing Day that bring top employers to you. With the Center for Experience and Opportunity guiding you every step, you'll gain that edge in economics through study abroad (including at our Budapest campus), collaborative research, and community projects that apply economic principles directly.

Here's how our program makes experiential learning come alive for economics students, drawing from McDaniel's commitment to getting you out of the classroom and into action:

- Internships and job fairs: Access thousands of opportunities via Handshake, including internships within 50 miles of campus, plus dedicated Economics and Business Administration department events like Interviewing Day for on-campus employer interviews.
- Study abroad and global exposure: Required or recommended advanced foreign language study or study abroad, with popular options at McDaniel Budapest and destinations like South Korea, France, Peru, Ireland, Chile, and Morocco to apply economics in international contexts.
- Faculty-student collaborative research: Join 10-week summer research programs or ongoing projects across majors, including economics-related analysis, with opportunities to publish, present, and build your resume—over 200 student-faculty projects last year alone.
- Jan Term intensive experiences: Three-week courses on and off campus, including study abroad tours that deepen economic understanding through real-world application.
- Career prep workshops and events: Series like Discover Paths Forward, Professional Pathways, and employer visits through the Center for Experience and Opportunity, plus National Security Fellows for economics students tackling real security risks with analytical skills.
- Community service and outdoor labs: Hands-on projects at the McDaniel Environmental Center (MEC), a 58-acre outdoor lab for economics-related conservation, agriculture, and community building research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

An International Business degree from McDaniel equips you with the global business knowledge and cross-cultural skills employers value most. Graduates are prepared to begin careers in diverse international roles such as business strategy, global marketing, and trade management, with opportunities for both corporate growth and leadership progression.

Typical careers you might pursue:
• International Business Analyst
• Global Marketing Manager
• Management Consultant
• Trade or Supply Chain Specialist

Career & Progression Highlights:

Supportive university services: McDaniel’s Office of Career & Professional Development offers career coaching, internships, resume review, and interview preparation to help you launch your career effectively. Students also have access to global networking, study abroad programs, and experiential learning opportunities guaranteed through the McDaniel Commitment.
Industry and academic partnerships: Students can accelerate their path through programs like the 4+1 joint degree with Johns Hopkins Carey Business School or preferred admission to master’s programs at Duquesne University Palumbo‑Donahue School of Business.
Real-world experience: Proximity to the Port of Baltimore and Washington, D.C. situates students near global trade hubs and employer connections that enrich internships and job placements.
Earning potential: Careers after graduation—such as marketing or financial management, logistics, and consultancy—offer strong earning potential, with many management and finance roles exceeding national median salaries for business graduates.
Accreditation value: The combination of a liberal arts foundation with specialized international business coursework provides a respected credential recognized across industries and around the world.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing your bachelor’s, you could continue with graduate study to deepen expertise and improve career prospects, such as pursuing Master’s degrees in International Business, MBA programs with a global focus, or specialized business master’s through McDaniel’s partner institutions. This can put you on a path toward executive or specialist roles.