This is an interdisciplinary major offered by the Department of Economics with the Department of Computer Science. This joint major is intended for the student who seeks comprehensive training in economic analysis alongside computing and programming techniques. It is particularly well-suited for students who wish to better understand the digital economy and are interested in pursuing an academic or professional career at the intersection of these two disciplines. Students pursuing this joint major will follow the theory track in economics.
Honors students are required to take twenty-three to twenty-four 4-credit courses (92-96 credits). A 3.65 overall GPA and a 3.65 average in both economics and computer science courses are required. Honors students must follow the theory concentration in economics, participate in a year-long research program in their senior year, and write a thesis under faculty supervision. Interested students must consult with the directors of undergraduate studies in both departments for advisement and for permission to enter the honors program.
New York Universitys Office of Undergraduate Admissions supports the application process for all undergraduate programs at NYU. For additional information about undergraduate admissions, including application requirements, see How to Apply.
The major in economics and computer science requires twenty-two courses (88 credits): nine courses each in economics and computer science and four in mathematics, all completed with a grade of C or better. This program is suited for well-prepared students who have earned Advanced Placement (or equivalent) credit in at least one of the following subjects: Computer Science A (equivalent to CSCI-UA 101); Macroeconomics (equivalent to ECON-UA 1); or Microeconomics (equivalent to ECON-UA 2). Students without any advanced standing credit must take 132 credits (instead of the minimum 128) to complete the baccalaureate degree and should discuss either: a) one summer course at NYU, or b) a major in one of these fields and a minor in the other with a departmental or CAS adviser.
Choosing a college major is an important decision that will set the trajectory for your future career. With so many options to choose from it can be overwhelming trying to decide which path is right for you. If you have an interest in both economics and computer science consider pursuing an economics major and computer science minor. This powerful combination provides diverse skills that make you highly employable across many industries.
In this article, I’ll explain the key benefits of majoring in economics and minoring in computer science. I’ll also provide examples of lucrative career paths this dual focus can lead to after graduation. By the end you’ll understand why this popular duo of majors creates well-rounded graduates with in-demand abilities.
The Value of an Economics Major
An economics major teaches you how different forces interact to produce, distribute, and consume goods and services around the world. The field combines social science, math, statistics, and business principles. Classes cover broad topics like trade policy, fiscal policy, international economics, and econometrics.
Graduates gain hard skills in data analysis, critical thinking, and statistical modeling. You also develop soft skills in communication, research, and problem solving. Economics provides great flexibility after graduation since related jobs exist in many diverse industries.
Here are some key reasons why majoring in economics is a smart choice:
- Learn how global markets operate and interact
- Understand labor markets, taxes, monetary policy, and more
- Acquire statistical analysis and data modeling skills
- Develop logic, critical thinking, and research abilities
- Pursue electives in business, finance, sociology, public policy, etc.
- Enjoy highly versatile career options after graduating
Overall, an economics major equips you with a powerful mix of technical abilities and real-world knowledge about economic systems. This versatile background leads to ample job opportunities.
The Strength of a Computer Science Minor
While a major in economics offers broad advantages, focusing your minor studies on computer science provides targeted technical skills. A CS minor complements an economics major beautifully.
Some of the most valuable skills gained through a computer science minor include:
- Coding in languages like Java, Python, C++
- Building databases and other organizational systems
- Understanding advanced statistics and data analysis
- Developing algorithms and system automation
- Improving complex problem-solving abilities
- Enhancing logic and critical thinking skills
A minor requires fewer credit hours than a major, so you can gain CS abilities without full double-major time commitments. Classes for a CS minor often include introductory programming, algorithms, database systems, and software project development.
Adding these technical abilities to an economics major opens up lucrative job opportunities. Your diverse skillset stands out compared to single-focus majors.
Lucrative Careers Supported by This Major and Minor
Combining economics and computer science prepares you for success in many growing career fields. Your mixed abilities in data analysis, critical thinking, programming, and system development are in high demand.
Here are some great jobs supported by this powerful major and minor combination:
Business Intelligence Analyst
These analysts use data to identify business opportunities and strategies. Economics provides broad context while CS skills help collect and interpret complex data pools. The average salary for business intelligence analysts is $68,000.
Data Scientist
Data scientists draw insights from vast data stores to aid business strategy. Economics supplies real-world business context while CS allows big data analysis. The average salary for data scientists is $98,000.
Financial Analyst
These analysts assess economic conditions to make strategic investment recommendations. Economics provides market fundamentals while CS aids data modeling. The average salary for financial analysts is $77,000.
Market Research Analyst
These analysts study market data to shape branding, marketing, and product decisions. CS improves data analysis while economics adds market context. The average salary for market research analysts is $65,000.
Management Consultant
Consultants use data and analysis to provide business advice across industries. Economics supplies business strategy fundamentals enhanced by CS data abilities. The average salary for management consultants is $93,000.
This list just highlights a few of the many possibilities. Whether you land in finance, marketing, consulting, or elsewhere, an economics major and CS minor provide versatile skills leading to high salaries.
Key Takeaways on Why This is a Powerful Major/Minor Combo
Choosing compatible majors and minors ensures your academic focus aligns with future career ambitions. Here are some key takeaways on why an economics major and computer science minor is such a strategic combination:
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Economics delivers broad real-world business context combined with analytical skills.
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Computer science provides specialized technical abilities like programming and data analysis.
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Mixing these two areas creates versatile graduates ready for diverse industries.
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You gain abilities high in demand for lucrative business careers in analytics, finance, and more.
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Employers need professionals who blend business strategy context with strong data analysis skills.
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Salaries for related roles like business intelligence analyst and data scientist are very high.
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Adding a CS minor avoids extra time commitments of a full double major.
College is a big investment, so majors and minors should be chosen carefully. An economics major paired with a computer science minor optimizes your learning and skills for exciting opportunities after graduation.
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Sample Plan of Study
Upon completion of program requirements, students are expected to have acquired:
- Skills in writing computer programs and designing software systems.
- An understanding of the foundational algorithms and data structures used in computer software.
- An understanding of what is going on “under the hood” of computer software in terms of the underlying computer architecture and operating systems.
- Advanced knowledge of some specific areas of computer science and its applications.
- Substantial knowledge of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics in both theory and application.
- The ability to analyze stylized problems using an economic framework and to extend these skills to the analysis of real-world applications.
- The skills to use statistical models that enable them to conduct quantitative analyses of a wide variety of economic problems.
- The ability to read, analyze, and clearly explain the economic theory underlying modern economic research.
- The skills to construct their own behavioral models for use in economics research.
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- The prerequisite for declaring this major is completion of either CSCI-UA 101 Intro to Computer Science or CSCI-UA 102 Data Structures (depending on placement) with a C or better.
- Only those students following the theory track in economics are eligible to pursue this joint major.
- A grade of C or better is necessary in all courses used to fulfill joint major requirements; courses graded Pass/Fail do not count.
University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
8 MINORS for Economics MAJORS
What can I do with a computer science minor in economics?
With a major in computer science and minor in economics, you build the knowledge you need to work in business, government, law, foreign service, and more. With a minor in economics, you show your future employers that you have a deep understanding of microeconomics, macroeconomics, labor, public policy, and industrial organizations.
What can I do with a minor in economics?
Computer Science, Economics, and Data Science (6-14) — Offered jointly with Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, applies methods derived from economic analysis, computing, optimization, and data science to real-world challenges. By completing a minor, you can explore the field of economics and combine these skills with your primary major.
What is the best minor for Computer Science?
For some students, the best minor for computer science is something unexpected, like psychology, economics, business, or creative writing. These minors offer students the opportunity to learn new skills. How to Make the Right Choice? You shouldn’t choose a minor on a whim. Instead, it is best to do some research.
Why do economists need a computer science degree?
These skills are an increasingly important part of work in many industries and may be especially helpful for economics majors for compiling economic and financial data and other statistics. A background in computer science can give students an introduction to the tools that economists use to collect and analyze data.
