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Economic developer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an economic developer. Economic developers usually study business, economics, or political science. 64% of economic developers hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 616 real economic developer resumes to see exactly what economic developer education sections show.
The most common colleges for economic developers are the Florida State University and the Florida State University.
There are also many online economic developer courses to help get the education required to be an economic developer.
What education do you need to become an economic developer?
What degree do you need to be an economic developer?
- Bachelor's, 64%
- Master's, 18%
- Associate, 9%
- Doctorate, 4%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become an economic developer?
- Business, 25%
- Economics, 11%
- Political Science, 10%
- Accounting, 6%
- Other Majors, 48%
Most common colleges for economic developers
| Economic developer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Florida State University | 10.67% |
| New York University | 6.67% |
| University of Utah | 6.67% |
| University of Georgia | 6.67% |
| University of South Carolina - Columbia | 5.33% |
Best majors for economic developers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 24.7% |
| 2 | Economics | 10.7% |
| 3 | Political Science | 10.0% |
| 4 | Accounting | 6.0% |
| 5 | Finance | 4.7% |
Best colleges for economic developers
The best colleges for economic developers are Harvard University, Northwestern University, and Carnegie Mellon University.
An economic developer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for economic developers. 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 economic developers.
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. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
5. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,620
Enrollment
27,730
6. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
7. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
8. Ohio State University
Columbus, OH • Private
In-state tuition
$10,726
Enrollment
45,769
9. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
10. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
20 best online courses for economic developers
Advertising disclosure
1. Managerial Economics and Business Analysis
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...
2. Introduction to Economic Theories
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...
3. Econ 101: The Complete Intro to Economics For Beginners
Economics 101: Economics Made Easy For You! Become an Economics Pro With This Course...
4. Economics: Market Forces of Demand, Supply and Equilibrium
Economics: Analyzing Demand, Supply and Market Equilibrium with real life case studies...
5. Earth Economics
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...
6. China’s Economic Transformation Part 1: Economic Reform and Growth in China
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...
7. Business Mind - Mastering Business Development
Master in Practice the Product, Sales and Marketing Perspective of Business Development...
8. Business Strategy Development: The Art of Differentiation
Learn 3 key business strategy tools. Improve your business innovation skills and drive profitable business development...
9. The Economics of AI
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. The Art and Science of Economic Policy
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...
11. (Oxford) Master Diploma: Economics (Includes Macro/Micro)
NINETY HOURS : Micro/Macro/Global/Business/Behavioural Economics...
12. Business Analysis: Developing Requirements
Master the methods involved in planning and gathering requirements and framing input into requirements documents...
13. Intro to Real Estate Development
Learn professional techniques and use investment-grade models to analyze real estate development deals...
14. Business analysis & Scrum with JIRA for Software development
Become a great Business analyst, Product owner & Scrum master with JIRA & Confluence. Business analysis & Scrum course...
15. Business Development For Startups and Tech Companies
Unlock massive growth using the business development channel. Learn pitching, BD strategy, cold emailing, & deal closing...
16. Business Analysis: Developing Irresistible Business Cases
Building the business acumen you need to promote your projects to management...
17. The economic model of emerging countries - Michael Spence
Understanding Economics. Learn how the world works and why it is the way it it...
18. The Real Estate Development Modeling Master Class
The Complete Guide To Building Real Estate Development Pro Forma Models From Scratch For Smarter Real Estate Investing...
19. Economics Decoded: 10 Essential Principles Shaping Our World
Master the application of 10 core economics principles to make informed decisions in both professional and personal life...
20. Executive Coaching and Business Case Development
The Guide to Executive Coaching and Business Case Development Success...
Top 10 most affordable universities for economic developers
The most affordable schools for economic developers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, california state university - bakersfield, and university of florida.
If the best universities for economic developers 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 economic developers.
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. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
5. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
8. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
9. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
10. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for economic developers
The hardest universities for economic developers to get into are Harvard University, Northwestern University, and Carnegie Mellon University.
Some great schools for economic developers 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 economic developers 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. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
4. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
5. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
6. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
7. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
8. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
9. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
10. Brown University
Providence, RI • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for economic developers
The easiest schools for economic developers to get into are University of the Incarnate Word, sonoma state university, and university of baltimore.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an economic developer 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 economic developers.
1. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
2. Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,072
3. University of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,020
4. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
5. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
6. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,060
7. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
8. The University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,035
9. Notre Dame of Maryland University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,069
10. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
Average economic developer salary by education level
| Economic developer education level | Economic developer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $50,509 |
| Doctorate Degree | $60,889 |
Economic developer education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025