Enter OTP
An economics major with a financial specialization, designed for students interested in asset markets, corporate finance, and global financial systems. Combines economics theory with practical financial modeling.
Curriculum Structure
Years 1–2: Core Requirements
Principles of Economics
Calculus and Statistics
Intermediate Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
Years 3–4: Financial Specialization
Asset Pricing and Portfolio Theory
Corporate Finance
Financial Markets and Institutions
Senior Seminar in Financial Economics
Focus Areas
Risk & Return, Asset Pricing
Corporate Finance
Derivatives & Interest Rates
International Financial Systems
Learning Outcomes
Apply economic tools to financial systems
Evaluate investments and corporate strategies
Build a foundation for roles in finance, banking, or policy
Accreditation & Reputation
Part of Columbia College; draws on proximity to Wall Street and the university’s global reputation in economics and finance.
This specialized program combines the depth of economics with the practical rigor of finance, delivered through Columbia’s Department of Economics and affiliated with the School of Business.
Experiential learning includes:
Courses that integrate hands-on case analysis, Bloomberg Terminal work, and modeling with Excel and Python.
Internship support through Columbia’s Center for Career Education and deep Wall Street connections.
Collaborative research in asset pricing, corporate finance, and market design with world-renowned faculty.
Senior seminars requiring intensive group analysis of real financial events and crises.
Access to the Program for Economic Research (PER) and faculty-led workshops on current financial issues.
Columbia’s BA in Financial Economics offers a unique combination of economic theory and finance, preparing students for careers in investment banking, asset management, financial consulting, and risk management. Graduates often become financial analysts, portfolio managers, economic consultants, and quantitative researchers. Here’s what supports Columbia students:
Columbia’s Center for Career Education provides targeted advising, networking events, and internships with Wall Street firms, hedge funds, and financial institutions.
Around 93% of graduates secure employment or further education within six months, with average starting salaries typically above $75,000.
The program benefits from Columbia’s strong industry connections in New York City’s financial district, offering unmatched internship and job placement opportunities.
Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), the program holds strong academic and professional recognition.
Alumni work at top financial firms such as Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, and BlackRock.
Further Academic Progression:
Many graduates pursue advanced degrees in finance, business (MBA), law, or specialized master’s programs in financial engineering or economics.
Online Application required, 3 letter of recommendation, Unofficial Transcripts, Statement of Purpose, Personal statement, CV or ResumeFinancial Analyst – Evaluate investments corporate finance and market trends for banks or asset managersAsset Manager – Construct and manage investment portfolios using quantitative finance toolsRisk Analyst – Assess and mitigate financial risks in banking or financial institutionsFixed-Income or Derivatives Trader – Trade bonds or derivatives using economic modeling and data analysis
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