Home > Degree Programs > College of Business > Business Economics

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Helpful articles and useful tips for adults considering a college degree.

Thank you for signing up for our newsletter!

You will soon receive an email
confirming your request.

Business Economics

Program banner: Franklin University's degree in Business Economics Program OverviewProgram DetailsWhy Choose Franklin

Identify and evaluate economic trends and their impact on business

From the world going flat to the Great Recession, many of businesses biggest challenges over the past decade have been economic ones.

Our Business Economics Major will equip you to navigate the major forces impacting business, and chart sustainable, go-forward growth strategies. The job outlook in this field is above-average with projected growth reaching 20% by the end of the decade.1

We’ve specifically designed our Business Economics Bachelor’s Degree Program to provide you with a flexible and attractive skill set employers are actively seeking in these key areas: econometrics and forecasting, managerial economics, economic development, global and emerging markets, and economic reporting and analysis.

Tailor your coursework around career interest areas

Because our Business Economics Major includes plenty of electives, you can customize and enrich the program around your areas of interest, with specialized tracks designed for those with career interests in business analysis, financial analysis, or investor relations.

You can also double-major in certain programs to increase your marketability and expand your career options. And, you’ll be preparing yourself with a solid base of knowledge that can go towards attaining one of these professional designations: Actuary, Certified International Investment Analyst, Certified Management Accountant, and Chartered Financial Analyst.

Graduates of this program have gone on to have careers with Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, IBM, U.S. Bank, and Huntington, as well as nonprofit and government organizations.

Get hands-on experience and exposure to key trending topics

Our coursework covers some of the latest economics trends of the day, and breaks down how they impact business. For example, you’ll explore the hot area of behavioral economics and work through its application to forecasting models. You’ll also be ready to balance the demand for sustainable economic growth and increased profitability with environmental stewardship—unique expertise that’s highly valued across a variety of industries.

Our capstone course, for example, focuses on sustainable economic growth. You’ll work on assignments related to different definitions and understanding of sustainability, following a variety of market arrangements and analyzing how profit maximization is affected by market conditions and sustainability requirements. You’ll be exposed to commonly used analytic tools such as Microsoft® Excel, and you’ll experience econometric model building first hand.

Earn your degree from a university built for busy adults

Earn your degree on your terms by taking classes 100% online or pursue available coursework at one of our eleven Midwest locations. Regionally accredited and nonprofit, Franklin was built from the ground-up to satisfy the needs of adult learners. Our seamless transfer process and team of academic advisors will help ease your transition to becoming a student, while our flexible course schedules help to balance your education with work, family, and life. Get started on your future today!

1Source information provided by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI)

Gain The Skills Employers Desire

  • Forecasting
    • Develop predictive and analytical models, and perform business improvement analyses in order to increase profitability and effectiveness
    • Perform market and industry research, providing economic analysis and insight on market behavior, trends, and other competitive factors
    • Conduct seasonality, trend and residual analysis, model evaluation, and selection
    • Research and compile data, and create and clean datasets
    • Use econometric methodologies and techniques to support research and development of innovative analytical solutions
  • Managerial Economics
    • Articulate potential effects of business, competitive, and global economic climates on business
    • Analyze trends, patterns, and behaviors to deliver business insights that help stakeholders identify strategic opportunities to reduce risk, contain costs, and improve quality
    • Review and analyze data to identify key performance indicators (KPIs) and cost-driving attributes
    • Perform different levels of trending, market and gap analysis in support of strategic business and operational solutions
    • Provide data-based support of organizational decisions to increase revenues and/or reduce expenditures
    • Evaluate pricing, customer, competitor, and economic data in order to contribute to strategic go-forward business planning that improves outcomes
    • Generate cost-effective, budget-impact models and other tools to advance sales opportunities
    • Provide analysis and economic counsel on strategic business objectives, such as growth and expansion
    • Prepare business growth research studies to validate areas of broader business strategy, including researching data sources, analyzing and interpreting relevant data, and developing recommendations for action plans
    • Analyze competitive environment using Porter diamond, supply/demand framework, cost structure, and comparative advantage theory
  • Economic Development
    • Analyze macroeconomic policies, trends, and programs, identifying emerging issues and providing analysis for formulation of strategies and alternative policy options
    • Build quantitative models of decisions by individuals, businesses, and government to determine economic impact and business outcomes
    • Research, analyze, quantify, and report economic impact of government actions and proposed regulations
    • Provide information, estimates, and recommendations to sustainable economic development and economic policymakers
    • Assess foreign economic policies and financial issues affecting domestic and international business operations
    • Convey the importance of sustainability in economic decision making
    • Analyze externals in order to close the loop in cost-benefit analyses
    • Differentiate between willingness to pay and willingness to accept frameworks
  • Global & Emerging Markets
    • Monitor and evaluate financial market development in emerging and newly industrialized economies
    • Collaborate with business units in the management of customer insights, market share, sizing and procedural analysis, and forecasting in emerging markets
    • Keep abreast of global developments and market trends, gather data, generate forecasts, and communicate actionable recommendations
    • Evaluate economic variables against forecasted trends, market influences, and global market landscape
    • Conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses, identifying trends and emerging risks, developing conclusions, and recommending response
    • Develop emerging markets strategies that contribute to development of deliberate approaches to serving global customers
  • Economic Reporting & Analysis
    • Write and issue economic reports on anticipated and enacted government actions, events, and potential legislative and regulatory outcomes
    • Produce written economic and policy analyses for journals, publications, blogs, and websites
    • Research and publish economic findings in professional journals and publications, and advise on economic outlook and policy issues
    • Communicate economic concepts and findings to special and broad audiences
    • Use graphical and other methods to summarize economic policy and regulations results
    • Develop and maintain a sophisticated working knowledge of economic subject areas, identifying risk factors, quantifying potential impact, and communicating findings to internal and external stakeholders
    • Leverage economic principles in crystallizing strategy and policy options
    • Collaborate in generating economic content and reporting business and industry economic news

Career Opportunities

  • Business Analyst

    Business Analysts conduct market research and analyze industry data to help improve organizational processes.

    View Salary Trends
  • Economic Development Specialist

    Economic Development Specialists plan, promote, and monitor efforts to attract new business and industry to a region or community.

    View Salary Trends
  • Risk Analyst

    Risk Analysts review financial documents and assess data in order to identify potential exposures and develop solutions to mitigate risk.

    View Salary Trends
  • Community and Business Developer

    Community and Business Developers look for opportunities and develop plans for creating or expanding business in local, regional, national, or international markets.

    View Salary Trends
  • Education Administrator

    Education Administrators lead the development, implementation, and management of educational programs for schools, businesses, museums, and other institutions.

    View Salary Trends
  • Financial Officer

    Financial Officers oversee the spending and funding of an organization, administering the financial system including budgets, benefits, payouts, and salaries.

    View Salary Trends
  • Industry Forecaster

    Industry Forecasters examine supply and demand in order to ascertain optimal production levels, sales, and fulfillment.

    View Salary Trends
  • Investor Relations Specialist

    Investor Relations Specialists communicate investment and share value details to investment stakeholders.

    View Salary Trends
  • Market and Research Analyst

    Market and Research Analysts compile and analyze research, study competitors, and assess macroeconomic conditions in order to inform business decisions.

    View Salary Trends
  • Operations Executive

    Operations Executives oversee organizational strategies and policies, ensuring profitability, and productivity.

    View Salary Trends

Employment Outlook

From 2010-2020 jobs in Business Economics are expected to increase by 20%.

Source information provided by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI)

Our Recipe For Your Success

Academic & Industry Experts

Classes are taught and designed by credentialed professionals with real-world experience.
 

  • Programs are designed by combining the insight of industry leaders with the academic expertise of our faculty, ensuring what you learn translates into on-the-job success.

  • Academic concepts and theories are brought to life through our teaching faculty’s professional expertise, and can be immediately applied in your career.

  • Faculty with industry experience teach our courses, not graduate students or life-time academics, so you learn not only the theories behind the practice but also how to apply them in real-world situations.

Relevant & Consistent Curriculum

What you learn is a reflection of the program you choose, not the format in which it’s applied.
 

  • All programs are designed for learning outcomes to flow from the program level into actual coursework.

  • This top-down approach allows credentialed professionals to customize assignments based on trending industry topics without deviating from a program’s core outcomes.

  • Regardless of your professor or the format of your class, you receive the same quality education.

Hands-On Learning Experience

Franklin's coursework teaches not only theories and concepts, but also how they apply to practical situations.

 

  • Professional course designers ensure that class activities such as learning simulations, case studies, interactive videos, and group exercises are relevant and appropriate.

  • A curriculum development team is dedicated to making sure all courses are intuitively designed so content is taught in a logical manner that facilitates your success in the classroom and beyond.

Continuously Evolving Programs

Consistent program reviews ensure our programs stay at the forefront of industry trends.
 

  • Survey results and feedback from student and faculty assessments are reviewed regularly so that our programs are always improving and up-to-date.

  • A structured review process helps identify industry gaps that guide curriculum enhancements allowing our academic and industry experts to regularly implement new industry trends.

  • Regular assessment provides hard data that is used to improve student learning and teaching methods.

Get the details

Read course descriptions, learn about degree options, and meet program faculty.

View Program Details