Enter OTP
A liberal arts track combining economics with public policy analysis. Suited for students interested in government, NGO work, or public sector research.
Curriculum Structure
Years 1–2: Core Foundations
Calculus I & II
Principles of Microeconomics & Macroeconomics
Introductory Statistics
Intro to Public Policy or Political Science
General education requirements
Years 3–4: Policy Focus
Intermediate Microeconomics & Macroeconomics
Public Economics and Welfare Analysis
Policy Evaluation Techniques and Field Methods
Electives in health, labor, or environmental policy
Capstone seminar or policy internship
Focus Areas
Policy design and economic regulation
Quantitative policy evaluation
Public sector economics
Learning Outcomes
Design and assess public policies using economic analysis
Conduct empirical evaluations of societal programs
Prepare for work in government agencies, think tanks, or advanced policy studies
Accreditation & Reputation
Offered through ISU’s College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, built on a foundation of applied economics and policy expertise
A liberal arts-leaning policy track that offers space for interdisciplinary courses like political science or environmental studies.
Experiential learning includes:
Research projects evaluating economic policies using real datasets and policy evaluation tools.
Internship placements with state policy offices, non-profits, and advocacy groups.
Participation in policy seminars and speaker series hosted by the Economics Department.
Group presentations on economic development and regulatory issues.
This BA track focuses on economic analysis for public policy and social programs, ideal for students aiming for careers in government, nonprofit organizations, or policy research. Graduates become policy analysts, public affairs specialists, or economic researchers. Iowa State supports students with:
LAS Career Services offering internship placement and career advice tailored to policy and public sector roles.
About 93% of graduates find employment or pursue further study within six months, with starting salaries typically between $48,000 and $62,000.
Partnerships with local and federal government agencies, plus research centers like the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD), providing practical experience.
Accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), valued in both public administration and research fields.
Curriculum focused on public finance, social policy, labor economics, and econometrics.
Further Academic Progression:
Graduates often continue their studies with Master’s in Public Policy, Public Administration, or Economics programs, and some pursue law school or PhDs in policy-related fields.
Official high school transcript and Academic record, Letter of recommendation, Typical SAT scores: Math (520-630), Critical reading (510-620), Writing (520-610), ACT Composite (24-29), Average GPA 3.64, TOEFL: IBT-70, PBT- 523, PTE-55, English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT)-956Government Affairs Advisor – Provide economic perspective on policy initiativesCommunity Development Specialist – Design programs with economic impact at the local levelPublic Budget Analyst – Help allocate government funds using economic efficiency principlesInternational Development Associate – Work with global organizations to implement policy solutions
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