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Student taking notes on paper during class

Economics

Economics is the study of how society uses its scarce resources. The goal of the department is to promote an understanding of economic aspects of society and to develop each student's ability to reason about economic issues - that is, to provide a basis for intelligent, responsible participation in modern society. The major is comprised of eight, four credit economics classes with accompanying course work in history and mathematics. View more information about the major.

Department Highlights

Expert to Present Land Grabs, Deforestation and the Effects on Human Health in Cambodia

Ian Luby ’13 will present “Land Grabs, Deforestation, and the Effects on Human Health in Cambodia” a 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, in Humanities and Social Studies Center, Room N3118.
Iowa landscape at CERA

Getting to the Meat of the Matter

If you drive to Grinnell on Interstate 80, you might be inclined to think Iowa’s economy is heavily agriculture-based. Your eyes might deceive you, says Jack Mutti, professor emeritus of economics.

When Research Interests Overlap and Intersect

As an economics and political science double-major, Lucy Bales ’18 is “especially interested in the potential policy applications of economic theory.” She took Economics of Crime with Logan Lee, assistant professor of economics, and Law and Economics with Brad Graham, associate professor of economics.

Why Major in Economics

people adding items to a giant recycle bin

Because Econ Is Awesome

Cora Touchstone ’19, a transfer student from Georgia, lights up when asked what she likes about econ. “It's awesome,” she says with a grin. “It’s this cool dynamic — a social science infused with STEM that allows you to create mathematical models of society.”

illustration of people working with giant gears

To Combine Disciplines

Pranjal Drall ’20, from New Delhi, India, was into physics and math when he first stepped on campus. But he was also interested in public policy, so during the second semester of his first year, Drall took Intro to Economics.

illustration of money and a bar graph going up

Investing, Investing, Investing

Henry Gray ’20 wakes up thinking about investing and goes to sleep thinking about investing. Since high school, he knew he’d major in economics. But one of the ways he learned about Grinnell was through reading about Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway in Omaha, Nebraska.

What It’s Like to Do Research in Economics

If you’re thinking about studying economics, make sure you take a look at the economics seminars Grinnell offers. Not only do you have a wide range of topics to choose from — 2 are required for majors — but in each seminar, you’ll do a deep dive into a research project of your choice, with your professor right there beside you.

We checked in with 2 econ majors, recent grads, about their seminar research experiences.

Student walking up to Burling Library

Finding a Research Focus

Of the 8 different economics seminars offered during the 2017–18 school year, the Seminar in Economic Development, taught by Tamara McGavock, assistant professor of economics, was Duy Duong ’18’s first choice. “I've always been interested in global development issues,” he says. “How to frame that in an econ context is something that I'm particularly interested in.” 

Students studying in Burling Library

When Research Interests Overlap and Intersect

As an economics and political science double-major, Lucy Bales ’18 is “especially interested in the potential policy applications of economic theory.” She took Economics of Crime with Logan Lee, assistant professor of economics, and Law and Economics with Brad Graham, associate professor of economics.

Economics Career Outcomes

First Destinations

  • 79% Employment
  • 12% Graduate School
  • 2% Post-Graduate Service
  • 2% Fellowships
  • 0% Continuing Education
  • 5% Other

Employment

101%
Positions related to Career Goals

Positions Related to Career Goals

This graph illustrates the extent to which our graduates' first job is aligned with their career goals. It's one thing to find a job; it's an entirely different thing to land the job you want!

Employer

  • Bloomberg LP
  • BNY Mellon
  • Federal Reserve Bank of New York
  • Future of Humanity Institute
  • International Monetary Fund
  • McKinsey & Company
  • Morningstar
  • NERA Economic Consulting
  • RAND Corporation
  • Urban Labs, University of Chicago

Graduate Schools

88%
88% Accepted to 1st- or 2nd- choice programs

Graduate School Acceptance Info

Of those who applied to and were accepted to at least one program, this chart illustrates the percentage of admitted students who were accepted to either their first or second choice program and institution.

Institutions

  • Brandeis University
  • Columbia University
  • Cornell University
  • Georgetown University
  • Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies
  • University College London
  • University of Michigan
  • Yale University
Explore More Graduate Outcomes

Department Chair

Bradley Graham

Department Information

Phone
(641) 269-4803
Fax
(641) 269-4985

Humanities and Social Sciences Center
1226 Park Street
Grinnell, IA 50112
United States

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