Department of Economics

https://www.uvm.edu/cas/economics

Economics is the study of how people and societies meet their material needs — and it turns up everywhere. From boardroom strategy to courtroom arguments to the design of public policy, economic thinking shapes how people understand and navigate the world.

As an economics major at UVM, students will engage with some of the most pressing questions of our time: What drives economic growth? How do trade and technology reshape labor markets? How do laws and institutions structure economic life? What roles do race and gender play in economic outcomes? How do global markets connect — and sometimes destabilize — national economies? How does the economy shape health outcomes and access to care? How can environmental stability be balanced with economic development? These are not abstract puzzles — they're live debates with real consequences for human welfare.

The Economics program builds the analytical toolkit students need to participate in those debates. Students develop skills in quantitative empirical analysis and econometric modeling, historical and institutional analysis, and conceptual and theoretical reasoning — equipping them to work across a wide range of professional and academic settings.

Two Pathways, One Strong Foundation

UVM offers two routes to an economics degree, depending on student's goals and interests:

The B.A. in Economics is a liberal arts-oriented pathway that pairs economics with a minor and allows room for electives. It's well-suited for students interested in law, public policy, business, or the social sciences more broadly. (CIP 45.0601)

The B.S. in Quantitative Economics is a STEM-designated track for students who want to go deeper into mathematics, statistics, and econometric methods. It includes additional coursework in math and science, a dedicated econometrics sequence, and a capstone advanced quantitative course — ideal preparation for graduate study in economics or data-intensive careers. (CIP 45.0603)