The Field of Economics
Applying Economics to Other Fields
Suppose that you are considering something other than a career in economics. Would choosing to study economics help you?
The evidence suggests it may. Suppose, for example, that you are considering law school. The study of law requires keen analytical skills; studying economics sharpens such skills. Economists have traditionally argued that undergraduate work in economics serves as excellent preparation for law school. Economist Michael Nieswiadomy of the University of North Texas collected data on Law School Admittance Test (LSAT) scores for the 12 undergraduate majors listed most often by students hoping to enter law school in the class of 2008–9. Table 1.1 "LSAT Scores for Students Taking the Exam in 2008" gives the scores, as well as the ranking for each of these majors in 2008. Economics majors tied philosophy majors for the highest average score.
Table 1.1 LSAT Scores for Students Taking the Exam in 2008
| Rank | Major | Average LSAT Score | # of Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Economics | 157.4 | 3,047 |
| 1 | Philosophy | 157.4 | 2,184 |
| 3 | Engineering | 156.2 | 2,197 |
| 4 | History | 155.9 | 4,166 |
| 5 | English | 154.7 | 5,120 |
| 6 | Finance | 153.4 | 2,267 |
| 7 | Political science | 153.0 | 14,964 |
| 8 | Psychology | 152.5 | 4,355 |
| 9 | Sociology | 150.7 | 1,902 |
| 10 | Communications | 150.5 | 2,230 |
| 11 | Business administration | 149.1 | 1,971 |
| 12 | Criminal justice | 145.5 | 3,306 |
Here are the average LSAT scores and rankings for the 12 undergraduate majors with more than 1,900 students taking the test to enter law school in the 2008–2009 academic year.
Did the strong performance by economics and philosophy majors mean that training in those fields sharpens analytical skills tested in the LSAT, or that students with good analytical skills are more likely to major in them? Both were probably at work. Economics and philosophy clearly attract students with good analytical skills – and studying economics or philosophy helps to develop those skills.
Of course, you may not be interested in going to law school. One consideration relevant to selecting a major is potential earnings in that field. The National Association of Colleges and Employers conducts a quarterly survey of salary offers received by college graduates with various majors. The results for the summer 2011 survey for selected majors are given in Table 1.2 "Average Yearly Salary Offers, Summer 2011". If you are going for the big bucks, the best strategy is to major in petroleum engineering. But as the table suggests, economics majors as a group did quite well in 2011.
Table 1.2 Average Yearly Salary Offers, Summer 2011
| Major | Average Offer |
|---|---|
| Petroleum engineering | $80,849 |
| Chemical engineering | 65,617 |
| Computer engineering | 64,499 |
| Computer science | 63,402 |
| Electrical engineering | 61,021 |
| Engineering | 60,465 |
| Mechanical engineering | 60,345 |
| Information science | 57,499 |
| Economics | 53,906 |
| Finance | 52,351 |
| Accounting | 49,671 |
| Business administration | 44,825 |
| History | 40,051 |
| English | 39,611 |
| Psychology | 34,000 |
One's choice of a major is not likely to be based solely on considerations of potential earnings or the prospect of landing a spot in law school. You will also consider your interests and abilities in making a decision about whether to pursue further study in economics. And, of course, you will consider the expected benefits of alternative courses of study. What is your opportunity cost of pursuing study of economics? Does studying more economics serve your interests and will doing so maximize your satisfaction level? These considerations may be on your mind as you begin to study economics at the college level and obviously students will make many different choices. But, should you decide to pursue a major in economics, you should know that a background in this field is likely to serve you well.