Understand Economics and Finance

Finance Lab in Alger Hall

Easily Understand both Programs

If you are considering studying economics or finance at RIC, this basic information may provide you with a foundational understanding of these disciplines and why pursuing them at RIC is a great option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Economics is a quantitative, policy-oriented social science which studies human behavior at its core. Economic principles describe the process through which societies use scarce resources to achieve societal goals and predict the consequences of changes in those processes. Economics consists of

  • theoretical models
  • understanding behavior of decision-makers such as consumers, businesses and policy-making institutions
  • data analysis

While the study of economics can lead to many interesting career choices in finance, banking, law, government, and technology firms, the discipline increasingly offers many more potential career paths.

Our economics curriculum is designed to build on theoretical foundations of economics and applications of theory to various topics. Our flexible curriculum allows students to double major or minor in other disciplines. A small class size in economics courses promotes a high level of faculty-student interaction. All students conduct research in a senior thesis, which is a requirement for graduation.

The finance program at RIC helps students develop a firm understanding of the theoretical and practical issues in finance and guides them to become competent in using the quantitative tools of modern finance together with analytical thinking that lead to sound financial decisions. Finance is dynamic, exciting, and spans a wide array of applications extending from personal finance decisions such as those involving:

  • student loans and mortgages
  • corporate finance decisions such as project analysis and mergers
  • investment decisions such as valuation of securities and portfolio management.

RIC finance graduates are equipped to excel in this vast spectrum.

If you’d like to get a top notch finance degree from an:

  • IACBE accredited
  • CFA Institute Affiliated
  • Bloomberg Experiential Learning Partner

institution, with expert faculty who also bring professional experience and practical relevance to the classroom, all at an affordable tuition, there is no place like Rhode Island College.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes the Occupational Outlook Handbook, which contains some career paths for Economics and Finance Students. 

For those interested in economics, this video highlights careers in economics and was produced by the American Economic Association.

For those interested in finance, this video on finance related careers may assist you.

Additional resources for careers in finance:

Disclaimer: These links are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the Economics and Finance Department of any of the products, services or opinions of the corporation or organization or individual. The Economics and Finance Department bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.