What's harder finance or economics?
As a finance degree heavily depends on financial analysis and modeling, students may find the material more difficult if they struggle with mathematical concepts. However, students seeking an economics degree might have difficulty understanding abstract ideas like economic theory and policy analysis.
Both finance and economics are excellent choices for someone interested in a career in the financial sector, but they do differ in focus and potential job opportunities. Finance is more practical and focused on the management of money, investments, and financial assets.
The earning potential and salaries are comparable between the finance and economics fields. While the professions are related to one another, they're also very diverse, and salary can range based on the type and level of the job. As candidates gain more experience, they can typically negotiate for higher salaries.
Finance degrees are generally considered to be challenging. In a program like this, students gain exposure to new concepts, from financial lingo to mathematical problems, so there can be a learning curve.
Just as any major has its challenging courses, economics requires the study of complex concepts that don't often have black-and-white solutions. Within the discipline there is a wide range of topics from macroeconomics (the study of economy-wide issues) to microeconomics (the study of individual behavior).
One thing that's for sure is the high amount of math you will need to study. Finance is a mathematical discipline, so if you aren't as comfortable with math as with other ways of thinking, you may find it more challenging. Additionally, finance also makes use of a vast, highly specific vocabulary.
Is Finance a Hard Major? Finance is a somewhat difficult major. The difficulty with finance comes down to its concepts that students would not have experienced before in their lives, the financial lingo in the field, and the concentration of math in the subject.
A college-level economics class can be challenging because you need to grasp new concepts like supply and demand, scarcity, diminishing returns, and opportunity costs. It requires you learn new vocabulary and to use critical thinking skills. But those theories, concepts, and terms build upon one another.
Economics-related roles tend to offer high-paying salaries to those with a relevant degree. Economics-related roles fall within the business and finance sectors. In 2021, the BLS reported that occupations within this category pay a national average salary of $76,570 annually.
- Economist. ...
- Market Research Analyst. ...
- Financial Analyst. ...
- Actuary. ...
- Business Analyst. ...
- Accountant. ...
- Data Analyst. ...
- Research Assistant.
Is finance hard if you're bad at math?
Believe it or not, mastery of advanced math skills is not necessary to have a career in finance. With today's technology, all math-related tasks can be done by computers and calculators.
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) ...
- Bachelor of Arts in Marketing. ...
- Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship. ...
- Bachelor of Arts in Human Resources Management. ...
- Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management.
Most universities with economics majors will require at least a basic level of mathematics. This, however, should not discourage anyone from pursuing an undergraduate degree in economics. With that said there are options for those who's strong-suit is not math but would still like to dive into the world of economics.
Getting your finance degree isn't easy—it takes time, dedication and hard work. But getting your degree is only the first step. Here are three things you need to know about differentiating yourself from the competition: The best way to learn is by doing.
College Major | Time Spent Preparing for Class per Week |
---|---|
1. Architecture | 22.20 hrs |
2. Chemical Engineering | 19.66 hrs |
3. Aero and Astronautical Engineering | 19.24 hrs |
4. Biomedical Engineering | 18.82 hrs |
Many economists work in the public sector, helping identify and address economic issues. But many private businesses and nonprofits need economists for their analytical skills to help them better understand their own markets or service areas.
Usually, if you're considering a finance major in college, it's suggested that you finish around three to four years of math during your high school years. The most advanced level you might need to reach varies based on the college you're interested in, but it could be as high as Algebra II or Pre-Calculus.
Finance degree jobs can provide relatively high pay, stability, opportunities for advancement and consistent demand projections. Careers in finance may also offer flexibility for employees by allowing them to work remotely or in hybrid environments.
As a finance major, you study finance-related topics, including math, economics, and statistics. You can expect to take several math classes like accounting, calculus, and business math.
- Business. Interested in an easy major with many career options? ...
- Communications. As a communications major, you'll study mass media, public relations, and journalism. ...
- Criminal Justice. ...
- Education. ...
- English. ...
- General Studies. ...
- Health Science. ...
- Liberal Arts.
Is finance high paying?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statics (BLS), careers in finance pay a median salary of $76,850 — 66% higher than the median salary for all occupations in the nation ($46,310).
Pros and Cons of Finance Jobs
They can include high stress, big responsibility, long working hours, continuing education requirements, and, in some cases, a lack of job security—the finance industry is generally quite cyclical.
The problem: why is economics so confusing? Economics is confusing to a lot of people because it deals with abstract concepts that are difficult to wrap your head around. In addition, the field of economics is constantly changing and evolving, which makes it hard to keep up with the latest thinking.
If you're interested in people, society, and numbers, pursuing an economics major is a great way to blend your passions. You're likely a good fit for the major if you have solid critical, analytical, and logical thinking skills and you're good with numbers.
Preparing you for an ever-changing world. The study of economics helps people understand the world around them. It enables people to understand people, businesses, markets and governments, and therefore better respond to the threats and opportunities that emerge when things change.