Economics BA
- Major
- BA
- In-Person
- Greeley
- Liberal Arts
- Business
- Environmental Policy
- International Economic Policy
4 Years
Spring, Summer or Fall Semester
Economics Overview
As an economics major, you’ll learn to read the story behind the numbers—and tell it in ways people actually understand. You’ll discover how goods, services and resources flow through our world: who makes them, who gets them and why it matters.
In the BA in Economics program, you’ll tackle the critical issues shaping our lives—poverty, unemployment, inflation, and the forces driving economic inequality.
The question isn’t just what you’ll study—it’s where you’ll make your impact.
Some economists dive deep into specialized fields like public policy or environmental sustainability. Others apply their economic thinking to business, nonprofits, or their own communities.
120 total credits required for graduation.
Liberal Arts Curriculum: 31 credits
- Written Communication: 6 credits
- Mathematics: 3 credits
- Arts & Humanities, History, Social & Behavioral Sciences, U.S. Multicultural Studies [MS], and International Studies [IS]: 15 credits
- Natural & Physical Sciences: 7 credits
Required Major: 43 credits
- Core major courses: 25 credits
- Concentration/elective courses: 18 credits
University-Wide Credits: 46 credits
- Complete additional credits to achieve the minimum credits needed for this degree at UNC; for this program, that will typically be 46 credits.
This plan is a recommended schedule to complete this bachelor’s degree in 4 years. Courses are subject to availability. Students must consult with their major advisor for information on any additional graduation requirements and course sequence guidance.
Year 1: 31 credits
- Fall: 16
- Spring: 15
Year 2: 29 credits
- Fall: 15
- Spring: 14
Year 3: 30 credits
- Fall: 15
- Spring: 15
Year 4: 30 credits
- Fall: 15
- Spring: 15
A minor in Economics is a strong complement to many majors, including Anthropology, Business, Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Geography and GIS, Mathematics, Political Science and Sociology.
With this minor, you’ll be required to complete 18 credits, including:
- Principles of Macroeconomics and Principles of Microeconomics
- Intermediate Microeconomics or Macroeconomics
- Nine credits from 300 to 400-level ECON courses such as ENST 335, ENST 356, ENST 378, ENST 382, MIND 286 or MIND 286
What you do as an economics major:
- Apply theory to reality. You’ll take economic concepts from class and use them to solve real problems — from analyzing market trends to evaluating policy decisions.
- Learn from experts who’ve done this work. Our award-winning faculty bring experience from government, industry and research. They don’t just teach economics — they’ve lived it.
- Gain hands-on experience. Pursue internships, lead research projects, and engage in service-learning that builds your resume and clarifies your path.
- Launch the career you want. Our graduates work in marketing, finance, public policy, healthcare, nonprofits and beyond. Wherever your passion leads, economics opens the door.
Concentrations
Focus on statistical analysis, market analysis, and critical thinking to forecast in business and institutional environments.
Students in this concentration are encouraged to consider a minor or double major in a foreign language, and/or one of the following areas:
- Africana Studies
- Applied Statistics
- Asian Studies
- Environmental Studies
- Geography
- Geographic Information Science (GIS)
- History
- Leadership Studies
- Mathematics: Liberal Arts
- Mexican American Studies
- Political Science
- Public Policy
Work as a business economist or enroll in graduate business programs. This emphasis includes courses in entrepreneurship and applied economics with a focus on business. Ideal for students majoring in business who are considering a double major.
Pursue interests in environmental and sustainability issues. Explore topics in environmental economics, including renewable and non-renewable natural resources, water resources, ecosystems, land use and biodiversity.
Students in this concentration are encouraged to consider a minor or double major in Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Geography, Geographic Information Science (GIS), Political Science, or Biology.
See full requirements for Environmental Policy concentration
Bring your skills and expertise to the diplomatic service (typically as an economic attaché) or to multilateral economic organizations. Explore international economic policy as it relates to work in the private sector, government and nonprofit sector.
Students in this concentration are encouraged to consider a minor or double major in Political Science, Public Policy, or a foreign language.
See full requirements for International Economic Policy concentration
What Our Alumni Say
ALUMNI
“My degree in Economics from the University of Northern Colorado fully prepared me to get my Master of Public Policy degree at one of the top policy schools in the nation—The Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.”
Charles Miles, MPP
Economics BA ’09
Data Science Manager, Baltimore Health Analytics
Why Economics Majors Thrive Everywhere
Economics majors don’t just crunch numbers—they tell the story behind them. You’ll master the art of turning complex data into clear, compelling insights that drive decisions. You’ll learn to research deeply, think critically, and build arguments that hold up under scrutiny.
But here’s what sets economics apart: versatility. The skills you develop—analytical thinking, data interpretation, strategic communication—transfer everywhere. Business, government, nonprofits, tech, healthcare. Whatever direction your career takes, you’ll be ready.
Economists don’t get locked into one path. They can adapt, pivot and thrive across industries. That’s the power of economic thinking.
Your Leadership Journey
The economics program at UNC provides an immersive education focused on economic literacy. You graduate with a deeper understanding of the world we live in.
You must achieve an overall cumulative GPA of 2.25 to be admitted to the Economics BA program. We can admit first-year, first-semester students and transfer students on a probationary basis. They must achieve an overall cumulative GPA of 2.25 after their first semester to continue in this major.
During your first two years as an economics major, you take core courses such as Principles of Microeconomics, Principles of Macroeconomics, Intermediate Microeconomics and Intermediate Macroeconomics.
After these courses, you choose from a wide selection of elective courses, such as:
- Contemporary Economic Problems
- Economics of Entrepreneurship
- Labor Economics
- Energy Policy and Economics
- Economic Geography of the Industrialized World
- Economics of Gender
Your senior year brings it all together. Two capstone courses give you the chance to synthesize everything you’ve learned so you are ready to:
Make a meaningful impact. You’ll gain an understanding the economic forces shaping society and the environment — and know how to develop solutions that matter.
Build persuasive arguments. Ground your ideas in solid economic theory and data. When you speak, people will listen.
Think analytically, decide strategically. Apply rigorous thinking to complex problems — for yourself, your organization, and the people you serve.
Communicate with confidence. Whether you’re writing policy briefs, presenting to stakeholders, or making your case in a meeting, you’ll know how to make your ideas clear and compelling.
The economics internship program takes you beyond theory and into the real world. You’ll see how economists actually work — analyzing data, advising decisions and solving problems that matter. We’ve built partnerships with dozens of organizations to give you hands-on experience:
- Government agencies: City & County of Denver, City of Loveland, Upstate Colorado Economic Development
- Insurance: Auto-Owners Insurance, GEICO, Mutual of Omaha, Northwestern Mutual
- Banking: America AgCredit, CoBank, Edward Jones, ENT Credit Union, First Bank, Federal Reserve Bank Kansas, Pulte Group Mortgage, TIAA Bank, US Bank
- Finance: Ares Wealth Management Solutions, Centennial State Financial, Charles Schwab, Chatham Financial, City Wide Bank, Colorado PERA, Fidelity Investments, JP Morgan Chase, T. Rowe Price, Wealth Strategies Group
- Transportation: Denver International Airport, Frontier Airlines
Join the economics honor society that connects you globally. Omicron Delta Epsilon (ODE) has 535 chapters worldwide, and UNC’s Zeta chapter of Colorado gives you access to this prestigious network of economics scholars.
You’re eligible if you’ve:
- Completed at least 12 credit hours of economics courses
- Earned a B average or higher in your economics classes
- Maintained an overall GPA of 3.0 or better
ODE membership distinguishes you on graduate school applications, opens doors to scholarships and connects you with economists making an impact across industries.
Going Beyond
Mark Eiswerth, PhD, Environmental Economics Expert
Economics Professor Mark Eiswerth seeks solutions to complex — and sometimes contentious — environmental issues by considering human values and motives.
Questions raised by the topic of environmental economics, which Professor Eiswerth defines as “the study of how environmental resources are — and should be — allocated among competing demands,” make for engaged discourse in his classroom. He poses environmental conundrums and then gives his students free rein to dissect, discuss, explore and debate the options.
Cesar Alejandro Rosales Cordova
Cesar Alejandro Rosales Cordova is a queer, first-generation Latinx student born and raised in Colorado with a passion for helping others. He graduated in May 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and two minors, the first in Mexican American Studies and the second in Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy.
At UNC, Cesar worked for the Office of Health Promotion, Earth Guardians, Student Affairs, Student Government and the College of Performing and Visual Arts.
Cesar aims to earn his master’s degree in public health and continue to help and empower his community
Feaven Abel: A 2024 McNair Scholar
Feaven Abel was named a 2024 McNair Scholar for her research on “Post-COVID 19 Healthcare Supply Chain: Evaluating Supplier, Inventory & Technology Changes for Effectiveness and Improvement.”
This prestigious award program prepares undergraduate students for doctoral studies by involving them in research and other scholarly activities. Her mentor was Dr. Milad Talebzadehosseini.
Feaven graduated in December 2024 with a double major in Economics and International Affairs.
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Economics
If you’re interested in solving major problems in society—like poverty, unemployment, and why prices go up, and the causes and effects of economic inequality—studying Economics at UNC could be a great choice. This program teaches you how to think clearly and logically about these important issues.
- Economics@unco.edu
- (970) 351-2707
- Candelaria 1281