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The BA in Economics at Duke University combines rigorous training in quantitative methods with a deep exploration of economic theory and real-world applications, ideal for analytically driven students keen on understanding markets, policy, and global finance. You’ll engage in a dynamic curriculum that bridges theory and data, preparing you for careers in finance, consulting, government, or graduate study.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1
Your first year builds a solid foundation—Principles of Microeconomics and Principles of Macroeconomics introduce core economic concepts, while Introduction to Econometrics begins your journey into quantitative analysis. You’ll also take Calculus for the Social Sciences, equipping you with the mathematical tools essential for economic modeling.
Year 2
In your second year, you’ll study Intermediate Microeconomics and Intermediate Macroeconomics, deepening your understanding of consumer behavior, firm strategy, and macroeconomic indicators. Intermediate Econometrics sharpens your empirical skills, and Economic History provides context on how economic systems evolve over time.
Year 3
This year is more specialized: you’ll select advanced electives such as Labor Economics, Game Theory, Public Economics, or Financial Economics. You’ll also have the opportunity to undertake Research Methods in Economics, laying the groundwork for independent study or a capstone project.
Focus areas:
“Microeconomic theory, macroeconomic policy, quantitative methods, empirical research, applied fields like labor, finance, and public economics”
Learning outcomes:
“Graduates will be able to model economic systems, analyze data using econometric techniques, critically evaluate policy impacts, conduct independent research, and effectively communicate quantitative findings.”
Accreditation):
Duke’s Economics department is accredited through Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, and its curriculum satisfies prerequisites for leading graduate programs, and offers strong preparation for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) pathway and government economic analyst roles.
Reputation:
Duke consistently ranks among the top 10 U.S. universities for both economics and post-graduate employability, with graduates frequently hired by Goldman Sachs, the Federal Reserve, consulting firms, and top-tier PhD programs.
At Duke’s BA in Economics, students don’t just study theories—they actively apply them. You’ll build practical skills through research, data analysis, and real-world projects, supported by state-of-the-art facilities and strong faculty mentorship:
Undergraduate Research Assistantships
Through the Allen Starling Johnson Jr. Distinguished Research program, students collaborate directly with faculty on cutting-edge economic research, earning paid positions each semester.
Duke Economic Analytics Laboratory (DEAL)
This lab matches students with faculty-led projects, providing hands-on experience with real data, econometrics, and research teamwork.
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UTA) Roles
Upperclassmen are invited to support ECON 101 and ECON 201D classes, gaining valuable teaching experience, presentation skills, and deeper subject mastery.
Capstone Honors & Davies Fellowships
For those in the Honors track, the Davies Fellowship funds summer research under faculty supervision—perfect for independent thesis projects.
DevLab@Duke (Development Economics Lab)
Work alongside faculty on international development experiments. Tasks include data collection, survey design, field coordination, and econometric analysis.
Conference, Travel & Data Grants
Presenting research? Duke offers grants for conference travel and access to premium datasets for thesis and independent study.
Internships via Centers & Labs
Students often intern at places like the Center for Advanced Hindsight, gaining psychology and behavioral economics research experience through structured, faculty-led summer programs.
Equipment & Digital Tools
Use advanced statistical software—STATA is common in labs like DevLab, plus Python/R in DEAL. ACE labs are equipped for survey deployment, data cleansing, GIS, and statistical modeling.
Facilities & Libraries
Access Duke’s robust academic infrastructure: the Perkins, Bostock, and Rubenstein Libraries; computing clusters; and research hubs such as the Levine Science Research Center for interdisciplinary collaboration.
Quick Overview of Duke’s Experiential Resources:
Faculty-led research with paid assistantships and honors-level mentorship
Undergraduate TA roles to refine teaching and presentation skills
Dedicated labs: DEAL, DevLab, Behavioral Economics Centers
Grant funding for travel and data access
Use of STATA, R/Python, GIS, survey platforms, and more
Internships through specialized centers like CAH
Libraries and multi-disciplinary research centers boosting learning and cross-field projects
Graduates of the BA in Economics at Duke University are highly sought after for their analytical rigor and strategic thinking. Many go on to thrive in roles such as financial analysts, economic consultants, policy advisors, and data strategists in both private and public sectors. Their training opens doors across industries: from Fortune 500 companies to major government agencies and global nonprofits.
Here’s how Duke helps you get there:
Career Center Services: Duke’s Career Hub offers personalized coaching, resume reviews, mock interviews, and connects students with internships via exclusive platforms like Duke’s Handshake and CareerConnections.
Employment Outcomes: According to Duke’s latest career survey, 94% of economics majors secure full-time employment or enroll in graduate programs within 6 months of graduation, with starting salaries typically ranging from $70,000 to $90,000, depending on the role and industry.
Industry Partnerships: The program collaborates closely with major employers including Goldman Sachs, McKinsey & Co., the Federal Reserve, and Google, offering networking events, company treks, and on-campus recruiting.
Accreditation & Reputation: A degree from Duke’s Trinity College of Arts & Sciences holds long-term value, backed by Duke’s consistent top-10 national rankings and global academic reputation.
Capstone Opportunities: Economics students can participate in faculty-mentored research, Duke in DC programs, and internships that count toward their degree, giving them real-world exposure before they graduate.
Cummulative Grade,essays,Experiences.Economist – 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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