So, you’re interested in studying economics at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga — great choice. Economics majors consistently rank among the highest-earning graduates of any discipline, with mid-career salaries averaging over $100,000. But before you apply, there’s one decision worth thinking through carefully: do you want a Bachelor of Arts in Economics or a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Economics?
Both degrees are offered through the Gary W. Rollins College of Business at UTC, and both can take you far. The difference comes down to how you want to spend your four years and where you want to go after graduation.
What is the BA in economics?
The BA in Economics is a liberal arts approach to the field. It offers a broader theoretical foundation and includes requirements in foreign language, humanities, history and social sciences, giving you the flexibility to tailor your education across disciplines.
This degree is a strong fit if you are curious about the bigger picture — how economies shape societies, how policy decisions affect real people and how economic thinking applies across fields like law, politics and public service. The BA prepares students for a variety of careers including public policy and law school.
One of the biggest advantages of the BA is flexibility. You will be required to complete a minor, which means you can pair economics with political science, history, communications or nearly any other subject that interests you. You will not take the common business core courses required of BSBA students, which frees up room in your schedule for that broader exploration.
Who should choose the BA in economics?
The BA is likely the right fit if you:
- Are interested in law school, public policy or government work
- Want to pair economics with another field like political science or international studies
- Prefer a broader, interdisciplinary college experience
- Are considering graduate school in economics or a related social science
What is the BSBA in economics?
The BSBA in Economics offers a more specialized education. All BSBA students take common core classes within the Rollins College of Business before focusing on their major. The BSBA stresses quantitative rigor and analysis.
Consider the BSBA if you want to apply economics directly to business decisions — analyzing markets, forecasting trends, working in finance or stepping into corporate strategy roles right out of college. You will graduate with not just economic theory under your belt but also a working knowledge of accounting, management and business operations.
UTC also offers a BSBA in Economics with a concentration in Financial Economics for students who want to go even deeper into markets, investments and financial analysis.
Who should choose the BSBA in economics?
The BSBA is likely the right fit if you:
- Want to work in finance, banking or corporate strategy
- Are interested in data-driven business analysis
- Want to graduate with a well-rounded business education alongside your economics major
- Are considering an MBA or finance-focused graduate program down the road
Does it matter which degree you choose?
Here is something worth knowing: both degrees are perceived equally by employers. Neither is better than the other — they are just built for different goals. The question is not which one looks better on a resume. It is which one sets you up for the future you actually want.
What can you do with an economics degree?
Plenty. UTC economics graduates have gone on to careers in business, finance and banking, teaching and an array of graduate studies including law school, master’s degrees and doctoral programs. The field itself is growing, with faster than average employment growth projected over the next decade.
Whether you choose the BA or the BSBA, you will graduate with one of the most versatile and well-compensated degrees available — and you will have studied at an AACSB-accredited college of business in one of the Southeast’s fastest-growing cities.
Let’s see where business will take you. Visit utc.edu/economics to learn more.
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