Do you want to use data to help people make smart money choices? If so, BYU-Idaho has four degrees that will help you reach your goals.
Each major focuses on a different way to study money and markets:
- Economics
- Financial Economics
- Finance
- Accounting
The Core Toolkit: What All Four Degrees Have in Common
These four degrees all start with the same foundation. No matter which one you pick, you will learn these core principles:
- Making decisions when time or money is limited.
- Studying why people and businesses act the way they do.
- Using numbers to solve big problems.
- Organizing and managing complex information.
- Studying how markets work and how goods move around the world.
- Explaining your findings so others can understand them.
Your Future Career: High-Impact Roles for Any Major
You can land some of the same high-paying jobs with any of these four degrees:
- The Financial Analyst: You organize data and build models to predict profits. Your goal is to tell the company, "Based on the numbers, here is where we should invest."
- The Budget Analyst: You work with team leaders to plan annual spending. You keep the company on track and find ways to fix problems.
- The Management Consultant: Companies hire you to fix big problems, like low sales or messy shipping. You’ll do fast research, travel, and present your ideas to the bosses.
- The Risk Manager: You find everything that could go wrong—from market crashes to storms—and figure out the cost. You create plans to keep the company’s money safe.
Finding Your Fit: Which Major Fits Your Goals?
These degrees use similar tools, but they study different things.
On one end, Economics studies why people do what they do. On the other, Accounting studies the management of money.
Whichever major you choose depends on whether you want to focus on big-picture ideas, market trends, business leadership, or accuracy.
Economics: The Strategic Thinker
Look into how money and human behavior change the world. You use math to make predictions about how money and humans will interact.
A Good fit for you if: You want to predict how laws or social trends change the world.
Financial Economics: The Market Expert
Focus on how big banks and global markets move money. You master the high-stakes theory of investment banking and global trading.
A Good fit for you if: You want to understand the engine of the stock market.
Finance: The Business Leader
Use data to make leadership, marketing, and money decisions for a live business. You create business templates and build your own models from a blank slate.
A Good fit for you if: You want hands-on experience leading a company to success.
Accounting: The Truth-Teller
Master complex rules to ensure that financial information is honest and legal. You practice math, honesty, law, and business.
A Good fit for you if: You love order, accuracy, and making sure systems work the right way.
Still Deciding? How to Start Your Journey
If you like one of these degrees, you’ll probably like them all. Here is how to find the right fit:
- Compare Classes: Look at the specific courses for each major to see what sounds most exciting.
- Mix and Match: If a class you want isn't in your major, you can often take it as a minor or a cluster. These degrees are very flexible.
You don't have to figure it out today. Pick the major that interests you right now. You can always adjust as you learn.
You have four great paths to choose from. No matter which one you pick, you'll be ready for a successful future.
Citations
BYU–Idaho — Accounting (B.S.)
BYU–Idaho Academic Catalog — Accounting Program
Wikipedia — Bloomberg Terminal
Bloomberg Professional Services — Bloomberg Terminal
CFA Institute — CFA Program Curriculum
BYU–Idaho — Department of Accounting
BYU–Idaho — Department of Economics
BYU–Idaho — Department of Finance
BYU–Idaho — Economics Student Resources
BYU–Idaho — Financial Economics (B.S.)
Wikipedia — Financial Economics
BYU–Idaho — Grad Planner
Investopedia — What Is a Bloomberg Terminal? Features, Costs & Competitors
BYU–Idaho Learning and Teaching — Bloomberg: A Teaching Innovation
Investopedia — Economy: What It Is, Types of Economies, Economic Indicators
Wall Street Oasis — Financial Economics
Investopedia — Financial Economics Definition
BYU–Idaho — Finance Student Resources