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Economic research assistant education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an economic research assistant. Economic research assistants usually study economics, business, or finance. 73% of economic research assistants hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,027 real economic research assistant resumes to see exactly what economic research assistant education sections show.
The most common colleges for economic research assistants are the University of California - Davis and the University of California - Davis.
There are also many online economic research assistant courses to help get the education required to be an economic research assistant.
There are certain economic research assistant certifications that you should consider. These economic research assistant certifications include Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) and Bloomberg Market Concepts - Bloomberg Certification (BMC).
What education do you need to become an economic research assistant?
What degree do you need to be an economic research assistant?
- Bachelor's, 73%
- Master's, 18%
- Doctorate, 3%
- Associate, 3%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become an economic research assistant?
- Economics, 39%
- Business, 13%
- Finance, 8%
- Mathematics, 6%
- Other Majors, 34%
Most common colleges for economic research assistants
| Economic research assistant common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of California - Davis | 10.40% |
| New York University | 8.80% |
| Ohio State University | 6.40% |
| American University | 6.40% |
| Texas A&M University | 6.40% |
Best majors for economic research assistants
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Economics | 38.7% |
| 2 | Business | 13.3% |
| 3 | Finance | 7.9% |
| 4 | Mathematics | 6.2% |
| 5 | Political Science | 5.5% |
Best colleges for economic research assistants
The best colleges for economic research assistants are Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University.
An economic research assistant 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 research assistants. 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 research assistants.
1. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
3. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
In-state tuition
$53,399
Enrollment
7,356
4. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
6. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
7. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
8. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
9. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
10. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
20 best online courses for economic research assistants
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1. Earth Economics
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2. 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...
3. (Oxford) Master Diploma: Economics (Includes Macro/Micro)
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4. Econ 101: The Complete Intro to Economics For Beginners
Economics 101: Economics Made Easy For You! Become an Economics Pro With This Course...
5. 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...
6. Doing Economics: Measuring Climate Change
This course will give you practical experience in working with real-world data, with applications to important policy issues in today’s society. Each week, you will learn specific data handling skills in Excel and use these techniques to analyse climate change data, with appropriate readings to provide background information on the data you are working with. You will also learn about the consequences of climate change and how governments can address this issue. After completing this course, you...
7. 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...
8. Economics: Market Forces of Demand, Supply and Equilibrium
Economics: Analyzing Demand, Supply and Market Equilibrium with real life case studies...
9. 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...
10. 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...
11. Macroeconomics: A Comprehensive Economics Course
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12. Microeconomics: A Comprehensive Economics Course
A Course Designed to Give You a Better Understanding of the World Around You--Perfect for University and Adult Learners!...
13. Social and Economic Networks: Models and Analysis
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...
14. 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...
15. Economics: Behavior of Buyers and Sellers & Product Pricing
The Easiest Beginner level Course on Economics with real life examples and graphic content. Perfect for Newbies!...
16. The economic model of emerging countries - Michael Spence
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17. Globalization, Economic Growth and Stability
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. Introduction to Behavioral Economics & Consumer Psychology
Learn how to apply some of the most powerful principles from consumer psychology to increase conversions...
19. Economics: Mastering Microeconomics 101
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20. Economics: Macroeconomic Fundamentals for Managers 2023
Learn fundamental MBA-level principles for business: outsourcing/offshoring, fiscal & monetary policy + more from Eazl...
Top 10 most affordable universities for economic research assistants
The most affordable schools for economic research assistants are Baruch College of the City University of New York, brooklyn college of the city university of new york, and california state university - bakersfield.
If the best universities for economic research assistants 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 research assistants.
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. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
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 Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
7. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
8. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
9. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
10. Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$4,831
Cost of attendance
19,559
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for economic research assistants
The hardest universities for economic research assistants to get into are Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for economic research assistants 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 research assistants 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. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
5. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
6. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,520
7. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
8. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
9. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
10. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for economic research assistants
The easiest schools for economic research assistants to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, university of houston - downtown, and kean university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an economic research assistant 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 research assistants.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. University of Houston - Downtown
Houston, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,012
3. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
4. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
5. William Paterson University of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
994
6. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - Camden
Camden, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,086
7. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
8. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
9. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
10. Iona College
New Rochelle, NY • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,089
Average economic research assistant salary by education level
| Economic research assistant education level | Economic research assistant salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $73,692 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $57,604 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $60,842 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $64,509 |
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025