Best Economics Programs in Nebraska for 2027

Nebraska offers economics through two colleges with identical required courses in calculus, macroeconomics, microeconomics and statistics. The College of Arts and Sciences route is flexible, with majors often adding a second major or several minors and receiving one-on-one career coaching. The College of Business route adds introductory courses in accounting, finance and analytics, and many business majors also complete finance. Research-minded students can become Bureau of Business Research Scholars or join one of five research and outreach centers in the department, where they prepare economic reports and policy analyses.

Two College Paths

Arts and Sciences or Business, same required math and economics courses

Research Access

Five department research and outreach centers and the Bureau of Business Research Scholars

Business Add-On

Empowered Professional Program in the College of Business

Program Sources: Economics Major | College of Business | University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Creighton lets economics majors choose a BA or a BSBA, and both teach how markets decide what gets produced, how to forecast economic conditions, and how to solve organizational problems such as estimating demand and setting prices. The distinctive piece is the Menard Center for Economic Inquiry, which supports student reading groups and research on markets and economic freedom through economics, ethics and entrepreneurship. The business school holds dual AACSB accreditation in business and accounting, and its Mindset Curriculum stresses ethical business. Career paths named include banking, investments, insurance, real estate and securities.

Degree Options

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Research Center

Menard Center for Economic Inquiry with student reading groups and research

Applied Skills

Forecasting economic conditions, estimating demand and setting prices

Program Sources: Economics Major | Creighton University

Omaha places the economics BS in the College of Arts and Sciences, with a C or better required in every major course. After the core, which includes introductory econometrics and a senior assessment, you choose 18 hours of economics at the 3000 and 4000 level, with at least six at the 4000 level. Optional nine-credit focus areas, Modern Business, International and Regional Policy, and Analysis and Applied Skills, point the electives at a career. They do not appear on the transcript, but the department recommends them.

Upper-Level Electives

18 hours at the 3000-4000 level, six at the 4000 level

Optional Focus Areas

Nine credits in a career-oriented cluster, not shown on the transcript

Core Pieces

Introductory econometrics and a senior assessment

Program Sources: Economics, Bachelor of Science | University of Nebraska Omaha Catalog

Nebraska Wesleyan treats the BA and BS in economics as academically equivalent, and notes that economics is traditionally viewed as a liberal arts major, so many students take the BA. The major runs 45 to 47 hours and requires a minor or a second major, which builds a second subject into every degree. A department-approved math course is required, and Calculus I is strongly recommended for anyone considering graduate school. The major draws on accounting, financial management and upper-level economics courses, so it sits comfortably alongside business coursework in the same department.

Major Size

45 to 47 hours, BA or BS

Second Field

A minor or second major is required

Math Advice

Calculus I strongly recommended for graduate school plans

Program Sources: Economics (B.A., B.S.) | Nebraska Wesleyan University

Nebraska's doctorate starts with technical training in economic theory and quantitative methods and then moves into applications in chosen fields. Faculty interests listed for advisers include labor economics, public economics, applied econometrics, education economics, urban and housing economics, state and local growth, infrastructure and industrial organization. Applicants need strong preparation in economics, mathematics and statistics, with a minimum TOEFL of 80 or IELTS of 6.5 for English proficiency, a personal statement about goals, and an optional writing sample. Graduates teach at colleges and universities or work in research and consulting.

Training Sequence

Theory and quantitative methods first, then applications in selected fields

Faculty Specialties

Labor, public, applied econometrics, education, urban and housing, industrial organization

Application Pieces

Personal statement, optional writing sample, English proficiency scores

Program Sources: Economics (PHD) | Graduate Studies | University of Nebraska-Lincoln