Econ vs. Finance as a major

thegirl1
Sat, 08 Mar 2025 20:10:10 +0000

Hi! I’m a senior and I was between this issue too when applying. Finance is definitely tougher with competition and more math-based content – in the business school. Economics is more theory and obviously a social science – varies from school but usually in the liberal arts school.

In terms of figuring out, I suggest taking an economics class as well as a investing/finance class if your school offers that. I personally took investing & personal finance in freshman year, then economics, and then AP microeconomics.

Even though I did economic research too (which I LOVE) I decided to become a finance major because of the career outcomes & wide variety of options (pun unintended). However, even moderately selective state schools are usually harder to get into as a finance major.

It’s usually easier to go in as a finance major and switch to economics rather than the other way around. Something else to consider is that some schools have a special program where you can get a minor in finance or even dual degree as an economics major. ALSO, private schools tend to have economics-data science dual degree paths if that interests you.

I wouldn’t let the competitiveness hold you back for finance, though. Overall, try to explore the content of both majors to the best of your ability and check out the general expectations to get directly admitted into the business school + difficulty to transfer internally into the business school for the colleges you’re considering.