Economics Major

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Franklin University Switzerland

Program Overview

The Economics major at Franklin University Switzerland equips you with a solid foundation in economic theory, policy, and real-world applications, perfect for students curious about how global economies tick amid issues like globalization and tech shifts—especially if you're drawn to analytical thinking and diverse cultural perspectives. You'll blend economics with humanities and social sciences for an ethical, international edge, building skills for careers in business, finance, policy, or grad school, all while enjoying our unique Academic Travel that brings learning to life across Europe.

Curriculum Structure

First Year
You'll kick off with the essentials of economic principles, diving into ECN 100 Macroeconomics to grasp national income, business cycles, and employment dynamics, alongside ECN 101 Microeconomics for a clear view of markets and decision-making in capitalist systems. Paired with foundational math like MAT 181 Math for Everybody and writing courses, plus your first Academic Travel adventure, this year sets you up to think critically about economies from day one, all in our stunning Swiss setting.

Second Year
Building momentum, you'll tackle intermediate tools like MAT 282 Intermediate Statistics and ECN 200 Calculus to sharpen your data analysis for economic modeling, while ECN 256 Managerial Economics shows how firms, consumers, and governments interact in real markets and regulations. Courses like ECN 325 Money, Banking & Financial Markets explore financial systems' inner workings, complemented by more Academic Travel—imagine applying these concepts on-site in European hubs, making theory feel alive and relevant.

Third and Fourth Years (or Accelerated 3-Year Option)
Upper-level electives deepen your expertise with gems like ECN 319 Behavioral Economics, revealing why people make "irrational" choices, and ECN 204 History of Economic Thought to contextualize big ideas from thinkers across time. You'll cap it with advanced seminars, a writing-intensive capstone, and global travel courses that tie everything to policy design and ethical challenges, launching you as a confident economist ready for the world—our 3-year track even fast-tracks high-achievers with advanced standing.

Focus Areas
Global Political Economy, Behavioral Insights, Financial Markets, Managerial Applications, and Policy Analysis with a cultural twist.

Learning Outcomes
Master analytical reasoning, empirical methods, critical evaluation, and problem-solving; interpret global economic complexities with an ethical, interdisciplinary lens.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
Fully accredited in both the United States and Switzerland, ensuring your degree holds weight worldwide for careers or grad programs.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)
Franklin ranks highly in the WURI (World's Universities with Real Impact) for student mobility and employability, with Economics grads landing roles in business, finance, consulting, NGOs, and international orgs—our global focus and dual accreditation give you a serious edge.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Franklin University Switzerland, our Economics major dives deep into experiential learning that turns theory into real-world skills, like analytical reasoning and strategic decision-making, all while leveraging our prime location in Lugano for global insights. You'll build practical expertise through small seminar-style classes (average 16 students) with multinational peers and faculty who bridge classroom concepts to careers in finance, policy, and beyond. A standout part is our signature Academic Travel courses, included every semester, where you apply Economics directly—like exploring international markets or economic systems on-site across Europe.

Here's how our program equips you with hands-on tools and opportunities tailored to Economics:
- Academic Travel Courses: Integrated into your curriculum (e.g., alongside Macroeconomics in year 1 or advanced electives later), these field trips let you witness economic principles in action, from global trade in Europe to cultural influences on markets.
- Capstone Projects and Group Work: Culminate in ECN 496W Senior Capstone in Economics & Finance, a writing-intensive project involving strategic analysis, often collaborative, plus courses like ECN 320 Games and Strategic Decision Making for team-based simulations.
- Kaletsch Campus Facilities: Study in modern classrooms, the Grace Library for research, and Nielsen Auditorium for seminars and guest lectures on economic topics.
- North Campus Villa: Access offices for advising, group study spaces, and conference rooms ideal for Economics project meetings or career prep.
- Seminar-Style Learning with Tools: No specific software listed, but courses like ECN 325 Money, Banking & Financial Markets and MAT 282 Intermediate Statistics emphasize data-driven tools and models taught in our 9:1 student-faculty ratio environment.

This approach has 75% of grads landing full-time jobs within 6 months—imagine you doing the same in consulting or international orgs.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Within a few years of graduating, students with an Economics degree from Franciscan University go on to careers where they apply strong analytical and decision‑making skills in business, finance, public policy, and beyond: think roles such as Economic Analyst, Financial Consultant, Policy Advisor, or Business Strategy Specialist. The program’s foundation in both theory and practical skills prepares you to enter the workforce confidently and pursue meaningful opportunities with ethical grounding.

Progression & Future Opportunities:

• Career Services support you from day one — the Career Services Office provides career counseling, job search workshops, networking events, résumé and interview preparation, and on‑campus career fairs to help position you for success. Students also benefit from employer visits and targeted career planning to align your economics training with real industry needs.
• Internships and experiential learning are strongly encouraged — students may earn academic credit for internships, and many complete hands‑on professional experience through departmental and Career Services support, giving you a professional head‑start before you graduate.
• Employment outlook and earning potential — economics graduates typically move into roles such as Economic Analyst, Market Research Analyst, Financial Consultant, Data Analyst, or Policy Specialist, where median salaries for bachelor-level professionals are often around $70,000 per year, with variation depending on industry and location.
• Accreditation and professional credibility — the Economics curriculum is delivered by a department accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, confirming its quality and helping your degree stand out with employers who value rigorous, accredited training.
• Real graduation outcomes — university data shows graduates often feel confident in their career prospects, with solid median income in the years soon after graduation, reflecting the value of practical, real-world skills.

Further Academic Progression:
After earning your bachelor’s in Economics, you can continue your academic journey with graduate studies in related fields such as a Master’s in Economics, an MBA, Public Policy, Finance, or even professional programs in Law or Data Science. Many students pursue advanced degrees to move into higher-level economist, researcher, or leadership roles, where further specialization opens broader career pathways.