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Adjunct instructor in economics education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an adjunct instructor in economics. Adjunct instructors in economics usually study economics, business, or finance. 43% of adjunct instructors in economics hold a bachelor's degree, and 41% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 146 real adjunct instructor in economics resumes to see exactly what adjunct instructor in economics education sections show.

The most common colleges for adjunct instructors in economics are the Iona College and the Iona College.

There are also many online adjunct instructor in economics courses to help get the education required to be an adjunct instructor in economics.

What education do you need to become an adjunct instructor in economics?

What degree do you need to be an adjunct instructor in economics?

The most common degree for adjunct instructors in economics is bachelor's degree, with 43% of adjunct instructors in economics earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 41% and master's degree degree at 13%.
  • Bachelor's, 43%
  • Master's, 41%
  • Doctorate, 13%
  • Associate, 2%
  • Other Degrees, 1%

What should I major in to become an adjunct instructor in economics?

You should major in economics to become an adjunct instructor in economics. 30% of adjunct instructors in economics major in economics. Other common majors for an adjunct instructor in economics include business and finance.

Most common colleges for adjunct instructors in economics

Adjunct instructors in economics often get their degrees at Iona College, Tulane University, and University of Utah. Here are the most common colleges for adjunct instructors in economics in the US based on their resumes.
Adjunct instructor in economics common collegePercentages
Iona College7.89%
Tulane University7.89%
University of Utah7.89%
Auburn University Main Campus5.26%
Webster University5.26%

Best majors for adjunct instructors in economics

RankMajorPercentages
1Economics29.6%
2Business22.6%
3Finance9.6%
4Management4.3%
5Human Resources Management3.5%

Best colleges for adjunct instructors in economics

The best colleges for adjunct instructors in economics are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Carnegie Mellon University.

An adjunct instructor in economics with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for adjunct instructors in economics. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become adjunct instructors in economics.

1. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

2. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

3. University of Georgia

Athens, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,830

Enrollment

29,474

4. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA • Private

In-state tuition

$13,620

Enrollment

27,730

5. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

6. Ohio State University

Columbus, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$10,726

Enrollment

45,769

7. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, WI • Private

In-state tuition

$10,555

Enrollment

30,360

8. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

9. University of Connecticut

Storrs, CT • Private

In-state tuition

$15,730

Enrollment

18,830

10. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

20 best online courses for adjunct instructors in economics

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1. Introduction to Economic Theories

coursera

Wondering why economists have not predicted serious financial crises? Shocked by economic assumptions of human behavior as self-centered and focusing only on what can be measured? Asking yourself if there are no sensible economic alternatives to free markets? Then you are at the right place to learn economics! This is the first online course that teaches economics from a pluralist perspective. Economic pluralism means that a plurality of theoretical and methodological viewpoints is regarded as...

2. The Art and Science of Economic Policy

coursera

Economic policy affects every citizen. And economic policymaking is best done as a collaborative process with a wide range of stakeholders. This course brings an understanding of the relevance and impacts of economic policymaking in everyday life, and the ways for citizens to be involved in shaping economic policy, in an accessible and interesting manner. Taught by Dr. Vijay Kelkar and Dr. Ajay Shah, along with Aromar Revi, Director, IIHS, the course synthesises more than one hundred years of...

3. Econ 101: The Complete Intro to Economics For Beginners

udemy
4.5
(283)

Economics 101: Economics Made Easy For You! Become an Economics Pro With This Course...

4. Economics: Mastering Microeconomics 101

udemy
4.3
(491)

A comprehensive study aid for anyone studying economics...

5. China’s Economic Transformation Part 1: Economic Reform and Growth in China

coursera

In 1978, after nearly 30 years of socialist planning under Mao Zedong, China was one of the world’s poorest countries, saddled with an inefficient, inward-looking economy. Today, China is an upper-middle income country and the world’s largest trading nation, contributing more to global economic growth than any other nation. How could such a remarkable transformation take place? This course will examine in detail the reforms that have contributed to China’s economic development and the current...

6. Managerial Economics and Business Analysis

coursera

In the exceedingly fast-paced business world, growing business demands a clear grasp of how a firm obtains a competitive advantage in its operations, how the business cycle and monetary policies impact the firm’s ability to maximize shareholders’ wealth, and how to obtain and efficiently use data to develop actionable business strategies. The Managerial Economics and Business Analytics Specialization is targeted towards aspiring managers, senior managers, and business executives who wish to...

7. Microeconomics: A Comprehensive Economics Course

udemy
4.7
(517)

A Course Designed to Give You a Better Understanding of the World Around You--Perfect for University and Adult Learners!...

8. Economics: Market Forces of Demand, Supply and Equilibrium

udemy
4.5
(12,592)

Economics: Analyzing Demand, Supply and Market Equilibrium with real life case studies...

9. The Economics of AI

coursera

The course introduces you to cutting-edge research in the economics of AI and the implications for economic growth and labor markets. We start by analyzing the nature of intelligence and information theory. Then we connect our analysis to modeling production and technological change in economics, and how these processes are affected by AI. Next we turn to how technological change drives aggregate economic growth, covering a range of scenarios including a potential growth singularity. We also...

10. Business English: Finance and Economics

coursera

Do you work in finance or interact with finance professionals? Is it necessary to speak, write or understand English in your career? Follow the authentic characters in this course as they work through common business situations in finance and economics. Learn from your successes and failure, and think critically about your own communication options. After taking this course, you will be able to read and create efficient e-mails, reports, and impactful presentations with words and phrases...

11. (Oxford) Joint Diploma: Microeconomics and Business

udemy
4.3
(320)

Micro economics (Oxford Diploma) — Accredited; basic upwards (includes Business Microeconomics)...

12. Economics Decoded: 10 Essential Principles Shaping Our World

udemy
4.4
(729)

Master the application of 10 core economics principles to make informed decisions in both professional and personal life...

13. Earth Economics

coursera

After this course you will be an Earth Economist that can provide evidence-based advise on the best global policy. As an Earth Economist you will better understand the behavior and advice of economists, have become a better economist yourself and know where to find Earth's data and how to analyze these world observations. Our planet is too important: we need you to get engaged! Earth Economics offers a completely new angle to policy analysis by its focus on the truly global level and its...

14. Social and Economic Networks: Models and Analysis

coursera

Learn how to model social and economic networks and their impact on human behavior. How do networks form, why do they exhibit certain patterns, and how does their structure impact diffusion, learning, and other behaviors? We will bring together models and techniques from economics, sociology, math, physics, statistics and computer science to answer these questions. The course begins with some empirical background on social and economic networks, and an overview of concepts used to describe and...

15. Economics: Behavior of Buyers and Sellers & Product Pricing

udemy
4.2
(336)

The Easiest Beginner level Course on Economics with real life examples and graphic content. Perfect for Newbies!...

16. (Oxford) Master Diploma: Economics (Includes Macro/Micro)

udemy
4.6
(1,312)

NINETY HOURS : Micro/Macro/Global/Business/Behavioural Economics...

17. Globalization, Economic Growth and Stability

coursera

This Specialization aims to make economic concepts accessible to every learner, and to teach them to analyze current events using the toolkit of economics. It begins by explaining the basic parameters of the macroeconomy, and how governments can/should use both fiscal and monetary policy to influence growth, inflation and employment. It then moves on to the international arena, where countries interact, and explains the basic principles of free trade, exchange rates, the balance of payments and...

18. The economic model of emerging countries - Michael Spence

udemy
4.5
(6,582)

Understanding Economics. Learn how the world works and why it is the way it it...

19. Macroeconomics: A Comprehensive Economics Course

udemy
4.7
(757)

A Course Designed to Give You a Better Understanding of the World Around You--Perfect for University and Adult Learners!...

20. Introduction to Behavioral Economics & Consumer Psychology

udemy
4
(435)

Learn how to apply some of the most powerful principles from consumer psychology to increase conversions...

Top 10 most affordable universities for adjunct instructors in economics

The most affordable schools for adjunct instructors in economics are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and california state university - bakersfield.

If the best universities for adjunct instructors in economics are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for adjunct instructors in economics.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

2. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

4. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

7. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

8. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

9. USF St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,821

Cost of attendance

19,849

10. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for adjunct instructors in economics

The hardest universities for adjunct instructors in economics to get into are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Carnegie Mellon University.

Some great schools for adjunct instructors in economics are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for adjunct instructors in economics based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

3. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

4. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

5. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

7. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

8. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

9. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

10. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for adjunct instructors in economics

The easiest schools for adjunct instructors in economics to get into are University of the Incarnate Word, oklahoma wesleyan university, and university of baltimore.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an adjunct instructor in economics without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for adjunct instructors in economics.

1. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

3. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

4. The University of Texas Permian Basin

Odessa, TX • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,046

5. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

6. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

7. Midwestern State University

Wichita Falls, TX • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,033

8. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

9. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

10. Iona College

New Rochelle, NY • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,089

Average adjunct instructor in economics salary by education level

According to our data, adjunct instructors in economics with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $63,701 annually. Adjunct instructors in economics with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $51,940.
Adjunct instructor in economics education levelAdjunct instructor in economics salary
Master's Degree$51,940
Doctorate Degree$63,701

Adjunct instructor in economics education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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