Enter OTP
Designed for students interested in public policy and economic regulation. Merges economic modeling with public sector and community-based analysis skills.
Curriculum Structure
Years 1–2 – Core Foundations
Calculus, statistics, and econometrics
Foundations of microeconomics and macroeconomics
Introductory public policy or political science
Years 3–4 – Policy Focus
Public economics and welfare analysis
Policy evaluation and applied field methods
Electives in labor, health, or environmental policy
Capstone or internship in policy analysis
Focus Areas
Policy design and economic regulation
Quantitative policy evaluation
Public sector and social impact economics
Learning Outcomes
Design and evaluate economic policies
Analyze public programs using data
Prepare for roles in government, policy, or graduate study
Accreditation & Reputation
Part of ISU’s NECHE-accredited establishment; strong reputation in applied economics and policy coursework
Experiential learning includes:
Policy simulation coursework and group debates around trade, labor, and environmental policy.
Training in data analysis and policy evaluation using Stata and R.
Research roles in projects under CARD (Center for Agricultural and Rural Development).
Internships with government bodies and nonprofit policy organizations.
Faculty-guided policy briefs and impact assessments.
Iowa State’s Policy Economics track within the BS in Economics program is designed for students interested in shaping public policy through data-driven economic analysis. Graduates pursue careers as policy analysts, legislative aides, public economists, or research associates at government agencies, NGOs, or think tanks. Here’s how the university supports your future:
LAS Career Services helps students target internships in policy, government, and research, while the Ivy College of Business Career Center connects students to applied economics roles in both the public and private sectors.
Approximately 93% of graduates are employed or in graduate school within six months; starting salaries for policy-focused roles average between $50,000–$65,000.
Iowa State’s strong links with government agencies like the USDA, as well as research centers such as CARD (Center for Agricultural and Rural Development), offer hands-on experience and future job opportunities.
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), ensuring lasting academic credibility across policy and government sectors.
Courses emphasize public finance, development economics, labor policy, and quantitative methods used in policy evaluation.
Further Academic Progression:
Graduates frequently pursue Master’s in Public Policy (MPP), Master’s in Economics, or joint JD/MPP programs for careers in law, governance, or international development.
Typical SAT scores: Math (500-640), Critical reading (460-620), ACT Composite (22-28), TOEFL: IBT-71, PBT-530), IELTS-6.0, PTE-48Policy Analyst – Evaluate the impact of government policies using economic toolsPublic Economist – Conduct research for public sector efficiency and resource allocationRegulatory Affairs Specialist – Analyze economic implications of laws and regulationsThink Tank Researcher – Contribute to policy recommendations through economic research
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