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B.A. in Economics

BA-Economics_0323
Promote human flourishing through the free market.

Grove City College offers an economics major that will prepare you to be a purposeful leader in economics, public policy, business, philanthropy, or law, among various other career options. Rooted in the rich tradition of Austrian economics, our economics degree program explores how wealth is generated in the free market and examines the driving forces behind human interaction, viewing man as a rational actor made in God's image. As you master mainstream economic theories, you will also develop a robust understanding of the market economy and its role in a good society to foster peace, prosperity, and free enterprise. With a B.A. in Economics from Grove City College, you will be equipped to creatively tackle economic and social problems with a big-picture perspective and solid Christian ethics. 

Program Distinctives
  • Rigorous education from a Christ-centered perspective.
  • Personal access to award-winning Christian faculty mentors who are active in publishing and build upon a common foundation rooted in the study of human action.
  • Opportunities to present and network at conferences hosted annually on campus.
    • The Austrian Student Scholars Conference brings together undergraduate and graduate students from around the world to glean wisdom from leading scholars and present their own research papers written in the tradition of the great Austrian School intellectuals such as Ludwig von Mises, F.A. Hayek, Murray Rothbard, and Hans Sennholz.
    • The Institute for Faith & Freedom (the College’s think tank housed on campus) hosts an annual two-day conference to provide a forum for education and discussion for the future generation of American leaders, recently exploring issues such as communism and socialism, the American family, citizenship, media, freedom of conscience, and World War I.
  • Research opportunities in and out of the classroom, including:
    • Senior Capstone Research Article developed under the guidance of professors and presented in class for peer review.
    • Research fellowships with faculty that often lead to publication.
    • Economics Working Group with The Institute for Faith & Freedom.
  • Study abroad program providing opportunities to explore economic conditions and challenges faced by different cultures and societies around the globe.
  • Internship opportunities with academic organizations like the Mises Institute, Independent Institute, Foundation for Economic Education, The Heritage Foundation, Atlas Network, and Mackinac Center, as well as companies like Bloomberg Financial, Wells Fargo, PNC Bank Corp., and non-profit organizations like the International Justice Mission.
  • Access to the 20,000-page archive of Ludwig von Mises’s manuscripts and correspondence. Mises was named by The New York Times as “one of the foremost economists of the 20th century” for having made three pathbreaking contributions in our understanding of money and banking, socialism, and business cycles.
  • Freedom to double major in complementary disciplines such as political science, history, finance, and more, widening your range of career opportunities upon graduation.
  • Vocation-enriching humanities core classes woven into your academic schedule that will cultivate greater empathy, critical thinking, writing and other communication skills, and a well-rounded understanding of the world and your place in it.
  • Potential to be inducted into Grove City College’s chapter of the Omicron Delta Epsilon international honorary society.
  • Award-winning debate team, law society, financial management association, philosophy club, and other student-led organizations in which you can participate and grow in servant leadership.
Career Opportunities & Outcomes
  • Career paths: economist, policy analyst, portfolio manager, professor, management consultant, financial manager, research analyst, and more.
  • If you are like 95% of Grove City College graduates, you will be prepared to compete for fulfilling positions in economics, business, commerce, philanthropy, law, education, market research, or public policy at leading companies and life-changing organizations such as Bloomberg Financial, Wells Fargo, PNC Bank Corp., Travelers Insurance, The Heritage Foundation, Atlas Network, International Justice Mission, Deep Springs, and Mackinac Center, among many others.
  • Our graduates often go on to earn master’s degrees to further specialize as economists in a variety of fields. If you choose to continue your education, you will be following alumni who have earned law degrees at top schools like Harvard, Chicago, Michigan, and Virginia, and Ph.D.’s in economics at standout institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania, The Ohio State University, Michigan State University, and the University of Pittsburgh.
  • No matter your career calling, you are sure to make an impact as a thoughtful problem solver with sharp critical thinking and analytical skills, a solid understanding of economic theory and human nature, and a strong ethic of care for your community.
Program Specifics
  • 58 major credit hours of rigorous coursework in which you will examine foundational theories, explore human tendencies, and conduct economic analysis to develop a comprehensive understanding of the role of economics in society. Economic thinking will challenge you to grasp its complex theoretical logic and master the application of its theories to understanding real world events. For detailed course descriptions, refer to the College Catalog.
    • Economics core requirements include Principles of Economics (Micro), Principles of Economics (Macro), Foundations of Economics, Intermediate Microeconomics, Intermediate Macroeconomics, Introduction to Econometrics, Economic Thought to 1870, Economic Thought since 1870, and Economics Colloquium.
    • Economics electives include courses such as International Economics, Public Finance, Money and Banking, Law and Economics, Environmental Economics, Urban and Rural Economics, Austrian Economics, Financial Markets and Institutions, and Labor Economics, among others.
    • Major-related requirements include Introduction to Philosophy, General Logic, math courses like Business Statistics and Business Calculus (or Calculus I), and Foundations of Applied Sociology.
  • If your interests lie in business studies, our B.S. in Business Economics could be an excellent fit for you — combining our economics core with social science and business courses in accounting, finance, global business, statistics, and more. Business economics applies economic theories to practical questions of daily decision-making in operating successful private enterprises, both business and charitable. Economic theories are also applicable to making prudent financial investments and stewarding financial institutions. 

Student & Alumni Stories

Sebastian Anastasi '23
B.A. in Economics

“Leaving Grove City College, I could not have been more prepared for law school and a career in the legal field. Because the economics program challenged me analytically and was research and writing intensive, it equipped me with the basic skills for legal practice.” — Claire Vetter ’15, B.A. in Economics, Minor in Legal Studies, Minor in Family Studies, Minor in Biblical and Religious Studies

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