How will an undergraduate business degree in finance compare with a degree in economics from schools that do not offer undergraduate business majors like top ranked ivies?
As a senior in high school I've applied primarily to business schools interested in pursuing a degree in finance and/or information systems. However, at many "elite" universities like the Ivy Leagues, undergraduate business degrees are not offered. The closest equivalent seems to be economics, econometrics, or something of the kind. How does this effect career paths and competitiveness? Would I be better off attending a undergraduate business school even if I was accepted to schools like these? Any insight on the matter would be great! #finance #financial-services #degree-selection #business
3 answers
Yanfei’s Answer
On my freshman year, I tried economics major and didn’t enjoy it much. Economics focuses more on theories so in my opinion it is boring. Many other business majors like accounting and finance have tighter connections to real life. I switched to accounting and finance and enjoyed them much more. And career fair I found that there are more jobs available for those majors compared with economics as well. But if you treat studying in ivies as your dream, go for it.
W Elliot’s Answer
Ann Gianoglio Burk, MBA
Ann’s Answer
Hi Alexander,
Some schools, such as Harvard or Yale, will offer economics degrees that they consider to be business degrees and are typically a prerequisite to their Masters in Business Administrations. I will say that economics is more theoretical and applies to the studies of how businesses operate within the economy. If you want to learn how to manage business operations, you will want to know how to run the business. You'll need to understand marketing, accounting, finance, human resources and management. You will not typically get all of this knowledge in an economics or accounting degree.
With that being said, I can't answer your question with any certainty. The right answer ultimately comes down to what type of career you want.
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