Quantitative Business Economics BS

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Purdue University West Lafayette

Program Overview

Purdue University’s Quantitative Business Economics (QBE), BS combines economics, business strategy, statistics and analytical methods to help students understand markets, forecast trends and make data-backed decisions. It is particularly suited to students interested in finance, consulting, data analytics or public policy who want to apply economic models and quantitative tools to real-world business and societal challenges.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build their quantitative and economic foundation through Applied Calculus I (MA 16010), Microeconomics (ECON 25100) and Data Visualization and Inference (ECON 26000). They also develop communication and professional skills through Written Communication, Oral Communication, Foundations of Business Ethics (MGMT 25500) and Career Readiness & Exploration (MGMT 29500).

Year 2: Students progress into more advanced economic reasoning with Intermediate Microeconomic Theory (ECON 34000) and Intermediate Macroeconomics (ECON 35200), while Econometrics (ECON 36000) introduces quantitative methods for examining economic relationships using data. Strategic Business Writing (MGMT 33500) further develops the ability to communicate analytical findings in a business environment.

Year 3: Students customize their studies through economics, business and analytics selectives. Options include Game Theory (ECON 45100), Industrial Organization (ECON 46100), Computational Economics (ECON 37300), Advanced Data Analysis & Machine Learning (ECON 46300), Python for Business (MGMT 38800), Data Mining (MGMT 47300) and Predictive Analytics (MGMT 47400).

Year 4: The final year emphasizes advanced application and independent analysis, culminating in Economics Capstone Research (ECON 49900). Students can also use their remaining major selectives and electives to deepen areas such as financial data analysis, marketing analytics, international economics, operations management or management information systems.

Focus areas

Quantitative economics, economic theory, econometrics, statistical analysis, data visualization, business strategy, predictive analytics, data mining, computational economics, machine learning, financial data analysis, market research, public policy and business decision-making.

Learning outcomes

Students develop the ability to analyze economic and business data, apply quantitative and statistical methods, interpret economic trends, build analytical models, communicate evidence-based recommendations and use economic reasoning to address real-world business, policy and market problems.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The QBE program is offered through Purdue's Mitch Daniels School of Business, whose business-school accreditation history dates to 1967, when the school received AACSB accreditation. The curriculum also integrates economics, business and quantitative analysis, supporting preparation for analytical roles across business, finance and policy.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Purdue reports that its undergraduate business programs were ranked #21 in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report in 2024 and lists an average starting salary of $68,740 on the QBE admissions page. Purdue's Daniels School of Business also reports that the university was ranked #4 among U.S. public universities for career success by LinkedIn News in 2025.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

QBE gives students opportunities to apply economic theory and quantitative methods to real problems rather than limiting their learning to classroom exercises. The program specifically highlights a senior Economics Capstone Research experience, while Purdue's economics centers provide opportunities to conduct research, analyze datasets, work with faculty and investigate policy and business questions.

Students can build practical experience through:

Economics Capstone Research (ECON 49900): The required senior capstone allows QBE students to apply their economic and analytical training to research problems.
Purdue University Research Center in Economics (PURCE): Students can participate in research focused on how laws, regulations and government programs affect markets and society.
Undergraduate Research Assistantship (UGRA): Selected students work with economics professors on real research projects and develop skills in research design, quantitative data analysis, database management and presentation.
Stata and quantitative data work: PURCE undergraduate research assistants work with datasets in Stata, build policy databases, prepare data, translate hypotheses into testable models and create tables and figures.
Vernon Smith Experimental Economics Laboratory (VSEEL): Undergraduate students can assist with research in an experimental economics laboratory and gain exposure to how economics and management experiments are conducted.
Data-focused coursework: Students can select courses including Python for Business, Data Mining, Predictive Analytics, Financial Data Analysis & Modeling, Advanced Spreadsheet Modeling & Simulation and Advanced Data Analysis & Machine Learning.
Case competitions and internships: The QBE plan of study specifically encourages students to participate in case competitions and pursue internships, alongside opportunities for study abroad.
Purdue Economics Association: Students can connect with peers and professionals, discuss economic trends and policies, and develop their understanding beyond formal coursework.
Economic research centers: The Economics Department provides access to centers including the Center for Behavioral Economics, Experiments and Public Policy, Center for Inflation and Price Research and PURCE.

Progression & Future Opportunities

QBE prepares graduates for analytical careers where economics, business and quantitative reasoning are combined. Purdue specifically identifies business analyst, data scientist, financial analyst, market research analyst, policy analyst, risk analyst and supply chain analyst as possible career paths, while recent QBE internships include consulting, private equity, algorithmic trading, investment banking and corporate consulting roles.

Typical job roles include: Business Analyst, Data Scientist, Financial Analyst, Market Research Analyst

Students can further develop their career prospects through:

Career coaching: Daniels School students receive personalized career coaching and access to employer connections, career resources and professional development opportunities.
Employer experience: Purdue lists recent QBE-related internships including Analysis Group, Aurum Equity Partners, FinSentinal, IBM and UBS, covering consulting, private equity, algorithmic trading and investment banking.
Research-to-career experience: PURCE gives selected undergraduate students paid research opportunities involving policy databases, quantitative datasets, economic models and research presentations.
Employment outcome: Purdue's QBE admissions page reports an average starting salary of $68,740.
Professional development: Students can participate in learning communities, case competitions, internships, study abroad and student organizations while completing the degree.
Long-term professional value: The degree combines economics with business and quantitative capabilities, while the Daniels School's AACSB accreditation provides an established quality framework for its business education.
Graduate and employer pathways: Daniels School students can add concentrations or minors and pursue master's degrees, with Purdue stating that these options can sometimes be completed without adding extra time to the undergraduate journey.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS in Quantitative Business Economics, students can pursue graduate study in economics, business analytics, finance, data analytics, public policy or related quantitative fields. Purdue's Daniels School also offers master's-level pathways, allowing students to continue developing advanced analytical, business and research expertise.