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Program Overview
The BA in Economics at Stony Brook offers a solid mix of economic theory, empirical methods, and applied courses, preparing you to analyze markets, policy, and global economic systems. It’s perfect for students who are curious, analytically minded, and eager to explore careers in finance, public policy, or graduate school.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1
You'll kick off with ECO 108 (Introduction to Economics)—covering supply and demand, market structures, inflation, and growth—alongside foundational Calculus (MAT 125/130). These classes build the bedrock understanding and quantitative skills needed for the major.
Year 2
This year dives deeper: ECO 303 (Intermediate Microeconomic Theory) and ECO 305 (Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory) sharpen your modeling of economic behavior and aggregate dynamics. Add in ECO 320 (Mathematical Statistics) and ECO 321 (Econometrics) to develop strong statistical and regression analysis skills.
Year 3
You’ll explore upper-division electives tailored to your interests—choose from ECO 322 (Data Science & Machine Learning in Economics), ECO 323 (Applied Microeconomics), or courses in growth, finance, and international trade. These electives fuse theory with hands-on data work.
Year 4
This is your chance to specialize. You’ll take five more upper-level ECO electives (up to two can be from other departments), complete the upper-division writing requirement through ECO 359 (or choose a thesis via ECO 487/ECO 459), and may opt for a honors thesis or internship credit (ECO 488) to round out your degree.
Focus Areas
Microeconomic & macroeconomic theory
Mathematical statistics & econometrics
Applied economics: data science, machine learning, finance, policy analysis
Learning Outcomes
You’ll learn to model economic behavior; apply statistical and econometric tools to real-world data; critically evaluate policies and market outcomes; conduct independent research or professional internships; AND produce rigorous written and data-driven analyses.
Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
Stony Brook is accredited by MSCHE and recognized as an AAU member. The program equips you with strong analytical and writing foundations, preparing you for roles in finance, consulting, government, and academia—and is a solid base for graduate or professional schools.
Reputation (Employability Rankings)
Stony Brook is a flagship SUNY institution ranked #58 by U.S. News (overall) and #88 for its Economics undergraduate program. Nearly 95% of grads enter careers or further studies in fields like finance, research, and policy, with alumni working at places like Citi, Bloomberg, and the U.S. Treasury.
BA Economics – Stony Brook University
At Stony Brook University, the Economics program focuses heavily on developing practical skills through data analysis, research projects, and real-world applications. You’ll benefit from specialized labs and faculty-led initiatives that encourage hands-on learning, preparing you for careers in government, business, or further study.
Here’s what experiential learning looks like at Stony Brook:
Access to the Quantitative Research Lab equipped with software like Stata, R, and SAS for data-driven economic analysis.
Group projects that involve policy analysis, market research, and economic forecasting.
Opportunities for internships through Stony Brook’s connections with Long Island businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits.
Participation in the Center for Survey Research and Economic Development, offering real-world data collection and research experience.
Use of the Frank Melville Jr. Memorial Library with its extensive resources in economics and social sciences.
Access to faculty research seminars that expose students to current economic challenges and methodologies.
This hands-on learning ensures you develop the skills needed to analyze and interpret economic data effectively while gaining practical experience.
Stony Brook’s Economics program prepares graduates for careers in economic analysis, financial planning, market research, and public administration. The program combines strong theoretical foundations with applied skills.
Why Stony Brook is a great choice:
Career Support: The Career Center offers personalized advising, internship placement assistance, and job fairs connecting students to regional employers.
Employment & Salary: About 85% of graduates find jobs within six months, with starting salaries averaging around $55,000.
Industry Partnerships: Collaborations with local businesses and government agencies provide hands-on experience and networking opportunities.
Accreditation: The program is accredited and respected regionally for its comprehensive curriculum.
Graduate Outcomes: Alumni work as economic analysts, financial consultants, policy assistants, and data analysts.
Further Academic Progression:
Graduates often pursue graduate studies in economics, business administration, or public policy at Stony Brook or other institutions to specialize and advance their careers.
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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Stony Brook University SUNY
