Careers, Outcomes & Salaries

A July 2005 Wall Street Journal article finds that the number of degrees awarded in Economics in 2004 was nearly 40% higher than five years earlier. It notes that "economics and business majors ranked among the five most desirable majors in a survey of employers,” and concludes that "many students see economics as the best vehicle for a job promising good pay and security. And as its focus broadens, there are even signs that economics is becoming cool."
According to CNN.Com, 2008 college graduates “have something else to smile about come commencement day: bigger starting salaries when they enter the work force.” Stating that “Career options for economics majors vary from private consulting for businesses to working for government agencies,” it finds average starting salaries for Economics majors at $52,926.

An economics major is excellent preparation for post-graduate education. A 1998 Wall Street Journal article states that "Economics also is viewed by more students as a ticket to the nation's top business and law schools. ‘Of all the majors, economics ranks in the top four or five consistently year after year for both applicants and offers made,' said Edward Tom, director of admissions at the UC – Berkeley law school. 'Logical reasoning and analytical skills' are critical to legal studies. In addition to numerous MBA programs, Xavier graduates have entered:

PhD programs at Cornell, Vanderbilt, Southern Methodist, Michigan State, Washington Ohio State, and Indiana Universities; and the Universities of Maryland and Virginia

Law schools at Harvard University, Georgetown, University of Chicago, University of Kentucky, and the University of Cincinnati