David A. Renelt Award
The David A. Renelt Award honors one outstanding rising senior economics major who best exemplifies the traits of growing intellectual curiosity, high ethical principles, enduring spiritual devotion and endearing congeniality.
Bachelor of Science in Economics - Mathematical Economics
How should we decide what to do with scarce resources in our fast-paced and rapidly changing society? The economics degree with a concentration in mathematical economics at the University of St. Thomas develops your analytical and critical thinking abilities for the modern workplace and graduate school while challenging you with rigorous, in-depth courses focusing on modern economic theory.
Why Study Economics at St. Thomas?
Our program offers a breadth of courses focusing on topics ranging from econometrics to game theory. We teach you to develop not only the quantitative skills you need to understand the information you work with, but also the qualitative skills to communicate effectively about strategic decisions. Many of our graduates go on to pursue advanced degrees in the discipline and are now college professors. Other alumni have chosen to pursue careers in areas such as consulting, public policy, international studies and data science.
Decisions, Decisions
Course Requirements
You complete courses providing the necessary foundations in economic theory and analysis while developing your quantitative skills with courses in mathematics and statistics. Plus, you choose your electives so you can pursue topics you find interesting.
Four-Year Plan
You start out focusing on macro and microeconomics, the foundational principles of economics. From there, you have the freedom to choose from courses based on your personal interests.
Other Economics Degrees Awarded
Internships
Local companies and organizations actively recruit economics majors at St. Thomas for internships, some of which have offered interns full-time employment after graduation. These include Medtronic, Target, General Mills, Allianz, Dorsey & Whitney, Merrill Lynch, and U.S. Bank as well government agencies like the U.S. Treasury and the Minnesota Department of Revenue. The Department of Economics forwards opportunities sent by alumni at these companies to current economics students!
Tutoring
The Department of Economics offers student tutoring services to any student in a Principles of Economics course. These tutoring options are complementary and done on a drop-in basis.
Course Requirements
Course Requirements
You complete courses providing the necessary foundations in economic theory and analysis while developing your quantitative skills with courses in mathematics and statistics. Plus, you choose your electives so you can pursue topics you find interesting.
Four-Year Plan
Four-Year Plan
You start out focusing on macro and microeconomics, the foundational principles of economics. From there, you have the freedom to choose from courses based on your personal interests.
Other Economics Degrees Awarded
Other Economics Degrees Awarded
Internships
Internships
Local companies and organizations actively recruit economics majors at St. Thomas for internships, some of which have offered interns full-time employment after graduation. These include Medtronic, Target, General Mills, Allianz, Dorsey & Whitney, Merrill Lynch, and U.S. Bank as well government agencies like the U.S. Treasury and the Minnesota Department of Revenue. The Department of Economics forwards opportunities sent by alumni at these companies to current economics students!
Tutoring
Tutoring
The Department of Economics offers student tutoring services to any student in a Principles of Economics course. These tutoring options are complementary and done on a drop-in basis.
Look Beyond the Numbers
We teach you to understand and communicate in-depth insights about data and problems in our world. Faculty, students and alumni are using their skills to address issues affecting us every day.
Paul Armstrong
Paul graduated from St. Thomas with a degree in mathematical economics and a minor in mathematics, while also majoring in philosophy and history. He earned his master’s in economics from University of Oxford, and now serves as a manager at KPMG in the United Kingdom. He leads their Competition Economics team, and advises clients with antitrust issues before the European Commission and other national authorities.
Anna Kate Nolan
Before her junior year, Anna Kate was one of 36 delegates (and the only student) to participate in Minnesota’s trade mission to Mexico. No one (especially her faculty research partners) was surprised the state chose her for the mission. She contributed to a Sustainable Communities Partnership between two economics courses and a local community partner. She is now a bank examiner with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
Dr. Deborah Rho
Dr. Rho is an applied microeconomist utilizing unique datasets to address questions involving employment outcomes in minority populations. She recently conducted a labor market experiment to study if Twin Cities employers discriminate based on race and religion. Students assisting Dr. Rho gained beneficial first-hand research experience in data collection, analysis and experimental design.
Career Paths
We give you the tools to analyze complex situations and make informed decisions, whether it is in the workplace or graduate school. Here are some paths our alumni pursued after graduating.
- Data Scientist – Ovative Group
- Attorney – Faegre and Benson, LLP
- Demand Forecast Analyst – Best Buy
- Business Operations Analyst – U.S. Bank
- Manager, Competition Economics – KPMG UK
- PhD program in economics (e.g. Michigan State University, University of North Carolina)
Scholarships
Economics Young Scholars
We solicit proposals from students pursuing undergraduate economics research projects and provide generous financial support. In addition, we offer limited financial assistance to students applying for graduate study in economics to help cover some of the costs of GRE fees, application fees and campus visit expenses.
MinneAnalytics Scholarship
This annual scholarship sponsored by MinneAnalytics is awarded to an undergrad student who display a passion for pursuing a career in analytics and a commitment to engaging with the community.
A Plethora of Opportunities
15
As the largest economics program out of the private colleges and universities in Minnesota, we have 15 dedicated faculty with a variety of expertise and strong interest in working with students.
$109K
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the median annual salary earned by economists in 2020 was $109,000.
Top 10
Economics is one of the best college majors according to Princeton Review.
Faculty With Real Dedication
Dr. Joseph Kreitzer
Dr. Kreitzer is investigating using artificial intelligence to teach students how to choose statistical methods that better predict the data.
Dr. Adam Check
Dr. Check develops statistical models to research how monetary policymakers’ decision-making changes over time and its impact on the economy.
Dr. Deborah Rho
Dr. Rho researches possible bias in hiring practices. She works frequently with student research assistants who help her collect and analyze data.
Get Involved
Research, student-run clubs and conferences—the possibilities are endless for getting involved at the university and beyond.
Our faculty are active researchers focusing on a variety of fields. They win government grants, are featured in the New York Times, publish in leading journals and present at global conferences.
The Economics Club facilitates economic exploration outside of the classroom. Activities include professionals presenting on how they use economics in their careers, and faculty discussing current economic events like tax reform.
We support students as they pursue research. There is financial assistance for engaging in research and presenting results at conferences. Faculty include students in their projects as research assistants or collaborators.
Unique Opportunities
We provide numerous opportunities for you to get involved with student-run clubs at St. Thomas, meet alumni who apply their knowledge on a daily basis and conduct research with our passionate faculty.
See the World
Our study abroad offerings analyze economic issues in a number of countries, including Australia, Botswana, China and Northern Ireland. We offer J-term courses, as well as embedded international travel during the semester over spring break.
Put Your Knowledge to Work
Our annual DataCom competition is one way for you to work with data and engage in economic research. We provide a data set for you to use in the development and testing of various hypotheses. The top teams win prize money!
Make a Difference Locally
Students and faculty apply economic skills to advance the common good through a variety of courses. We collaborate with the city of Delano, Metro Transit and the PLACE organization to improve the services helping people’s lives.
Get Connected
Our LinkedIn and Facebook pages, annual alumni panels and other alumni-faculty communication keep us connected to our valued graduates. In return, our alumni engage with current students and help future generations of Tommies.
Engaging With Your Peers and Faculty
Our annual Chili Fest sees the faculty become chefs while students are judges. We also say goodbye to our seniors with a Senior Send-Off Bowling event each year as well.
Practical Experiences
Economics students at St. Thomas have access to a diverse array of opportunities inside and outside of the classroom through research, competitions, dedicated faculty and more. Students use their skills and knowledge to make an impact in their communities every day.
Take the Next Step
There is more to learn about St. Thomas; including our ranking as a Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report, the many classroom and extracurricular activities that will be part of your student experience and so much more. Schedule a visit to see our beautiful campus or start your application today.