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Cornell’s Bachelor of Science in Economics (offered by the College of Arts & Sciences) delivers a thorough, rigorous education combining economic theory, quantitative methods, and empirical research. The program targets students aiming for careers in economics, finance, public policy, or academia by building strong analytical and theoretical foundations.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1: Foundations in Economics and Mathematics
ECON 1110: Introductory Microeconomics — Basics of individual and firm behavior
ECON 1120: Introductory Macroeconomics — National income, inflation, unemployment
MATH 1110: Calculus for Life and Social Sciences (or equivalent) — Mathematical foundation for economics
Year 2: Intermediate Economic Theory and Statistics
ECON 3030: Intermediate Microeconomic Theory — Deeper exploration of consumer and firm behavior
ECON 3040: Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory — Economic aggregates and models
ECON 3110: Intro to Probability and Statistics or ECON 3130: Introduction to Econometrics — Basic empirical methods
Year 3: Advanced Econometrics and Specialized Electives
ECON 3120/3140: Econometrics / Advanced Econometrics — Intensive training in econometric analysis
Electives covering financial economics, international trade, behavioral economics, etc.
Year 4: Capstone and Research
ECON 4900: Honors Thesis (optional) or other advanced electives
Emphasis on independent research and applied economic problem-solving
Focus Areas
Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics, Financial Economics, International Trade, Behavioral Economics, Economic Policy
Learning Outcomes
Graduates will:
Demonstrate mastery of economic theory and its application
Be proficient in statistical and econometric analysis
Conduct independent economic research and effectively communicate findings
Professional Alignment (Accreditation): Program is part of Cornell’s College of Arts & Sciences, maintaining rigorous academic standards and broad recognition.
Reputation & Employability: Cornell Economics is consistently ranked among the top U.S. programs, known for its distinguished faculty and strong ties to industry and government.
Experiential Learning Opportunities
Undergraduate Research: Faculty-mentored research projects in empirical and theoretical economics
Honors Thesis: Independent research project showcasing original economic analysis
Internships: No formal department internships, but students leverage Cornell’s Arts and Sciences Career Development Office for placements in finance, consulting, government, and tech
Study Abroad: Programs to study economic systems and policies in global contexts
Collaborative Projects: Group assignments fostering practical problem-solving and teamwork
Facilities and Resources
Uris Hall: Dedicated home of the Economics Department with classrooms, faculty offices, and seminar rooms
Undergraduate Economics Lounge: Social and study space for peer interaction and faculty engagement
Library & Databases: Extensive access to economic literature, journals, and data
Computing Labs: Equipped with Stata, SAS, Excel, and other statistical software
Career Development & Outcomes
Career Support: Personalized advising, workshops, alumni network access through Cornell Career Services
Employment Stats (Class of 2024):
92% employed or in graduate school within 6 months
Median starting salary: ~$85,600
Key sectors: Financial Services, Technology, Consulting/Professional Services
Industry Connections: Strong ties with leading firms, facilitating internships and job placements
Graduate & Further Academic Progression
Common advanced degrees include economics PhDs, MBA, JD, public policy, often at top institutions like Harvard, Stanford, LSE
Alumni enter academic research, finance, consulting, policy-making, and data science roles
Summary
Cornell’s BS in Economics balances a rigorous curriculum with experiential learning and strong career support. The program prepares graduates for competitive job markets and advanced studies, with a proven record of high employment and salaries relative to peers.
SAT/ACT Update: Cornell University will require standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) for undergraduate applicants starting with the Fall 2026 admission cycle. Cornell University’s SAT code is 2098, and our ACT code is 2726.English Language Proficiency Requirements (ELP) – All students must demonstrate strong English proficiency through one of the following: U.S. Citizen/Permanent Resident Native English speaker English as the primary language of instruction in secondary school Applicants who do not meet these criteria must submit TOEFL (100+), IELTS (7.5+), or Duolingo (130+) scores. Self-reported scores are accepted via the Common App or Cornell’s ELP Form. Official scores are required upon enrollment.SAT Score Reporting: If you plan to apply to one of our test-recommended colleges/schools, you are welcome to submit unofficial test scores to Cornell University. Should you be admitted to and enrolled at Cornell, we will require official test scores sent from the testing agency at that time.SAT Superscore: Applicant results will be superscored to combine your highest subsections. For the SAT, you can use Score Choice, but Cornell recommends sending all SAT scores.Recommendations: School Report Required, Counselor Recommendation- Required, Mid Year Report- Required, Final Report- Required, Teacher Evaluation(s): 2 Required, 1 Optional, Other Evaluation(s): 0 Required, 3 OptionalEconomist – Analyze economic data and trends to advise government agencies private corporations or consulting firms on policy markets or business strategyInvestment Banking Analyst – Support capital raising mergers and acquisitions and financial transactions by building detailed financial models and conducting valuations at investment banksData Analyst or Data Scientist – Use programming languages like Python R and SQL and statistical techniques to analyze large datasets and provide actionable insights for business or policy decisionsActuary – Combine economics statistics and mathematics to assess and manage financial risks for insurance companies pension funds and financial service firmsManagement Consultant – Advise organizations across industries on operational efficiency market entry and strategic challenges to improve overall performanceFinancial Analyst – Evaluate company financial statements market conditions and investment opportunities to guide corporate finance portfolio management or banking decisionsPolicy Analyst – Research and assess public policies related to economics labor health or education for think tanks NGOs or government agenciesQuantitative Analyst or Econometrician – Apply advanced quantitative methods and econometric models to forecast economic outcomes and guide investment or policy decisionsCertified Public Accountant CPA – Provide auditing tax planning and financial consulting services combine economic understanding with regulatory compliance in accounting firms or corporationsEconomic Researcher – Conduct academic or applied research for universities government bodies like the Federal Reserve or Bureau of Labor Statistics or international organizationsMarketing Analyst – Analyze consumer data and market trends to optimize pricing strategies product launches and promotional campaigns for corporationsFinancial Risk Analyst – Identify and quantify financial risks in banking insurance or corporate finance to develop risk mitigation strategiesInternational Development Specialist – Work on economic development projects focused on poverty reduction trade or policy reform for international agencies like USAID or the World BankFederal Reserve Analyst or Central Banker – Support monetary policy economic research and financial regulation to promote economic stability and growth at regional Federal Reserve Banks or the Board of GovernorsEntrepreneur or Startup Founder – Leverage economic principles to build businesses especially in sectors like fintech healthtech or analytics-driven platforms
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