By Iris Berkley
Choosing a college major is like curating your Spotify playlist—there are endless options, and each one sets a different tone for your future. If you’re caught between studying business administration and economics, you’re not alone. Both are popular choices for students who vibe with commerce, finance, and making a real-world impact. But while these majors seem similar on the surface, they can take you down different roads. Let’s break it down so you can figure out which one matches your strengths and preferences.

The Vibe Check: What Each Major Is About
Business Administration: Think of this as the practical, roll-up-your-sleeves major. You’re learning how to run the show in a company—whether that’s managing people, launching a marketing campaign, or keeping the numbers in check. The focus is all about doing.
Economics: Economics is like the philosopher’s take on money and resources. It’s about understanding the why behind markets, policies, and decisions. If you like diving into data and connecting the dots to see the bigger picture, this one’s for you.

What You’ll Be Studying
Let’s talk coursework. Both majors have their fair share of math (sorry, no skipping stats or calc),
but they come at it from different angles.
Business Administration Classes:
-Management and leadership strategies
-Marketing campaigns and branding
-Financial accounting and budgeting
-Operations management
-Entrepreneurship and innovation
-Business law (yes, you’ll know what “breach of contract” actually means)
Expect group projects, case studies, and internships to be part of the deal. It’s all about getting hands-on experience.

Economics Classes:

-Micro and macroeconomics (how individuals and big systems work)
-Econometrics (the math behind economic theories)
-Game theory (strategic decision-making)
-Behavioral economics (how psychology affects money moves)
-Public policy and global markets
Economics leans more on theory and data analysis. Instead of hands-on projects, you’ll spend a
lot of time making sense of graphs, models, and trends.

Skills You’ll Pick Up
If You Choose Business Administration:
Leadership: How to inspire a team and make big decisions.
Communication: Presenting ideas, pitching projects, and networking like a pro.
Strategy: Problem-solving in real-world scenarios, from launching a startup to streamlining supply chains.
If You Choose Economics:
Analytical thinking: Understanding complex systems and finding patterns.
Data skills: Crunching numbers, interpreting data, and turning it into actionable insights.
Policy analysis: Evaluating how decisions affect people, businesses, and economies.

Career Goals: Where These Majors Will Take You Business Administration Careers: You’ll be ready to jump into roles that require leadership and multitasking. Think:
-Marketing manager
-Financial analyst
-Human resources manager
-Entrepreneur (hello, Shark Tank dreams)
-Operations manager
-Economics Careers:

Economics grads often end up in more analytical roles or research-heavy jobs. These could include:
-Economist (predicting the next recession, anyone?)
-Data analyst
-Policy advisor
-Actuary (basically, a math wizard for risk assessment)
-Investment strategist
-Economics can also set you up for grad school if you want to dive -deeper into research, law, or public policy.

About the Author: Iris Berkley is a prominent College Admissions expert who started her own business CollegeBound Academics and wrote Everything Nobody is Telling You About College Apps. Iris is a strong role model for young entrepreneurs and more and it has been a pleasure to have her as a guest author. Thank you Iris!