Do you have to be really good at math to major in economics or business administration?

Question

I want to major in Economics or Business Administration. Only problem is I have been told they are very math intensive and my mathematical skills are lacking. Could I get through those majors without being great at math?

Answer 1

Im actually in a unique possition to answer your question because I have a degree with a double-major in both Economics and Business Administration.

the answer is no, you dont have to be really good at math. you have to know calculus and business math (mostly calculus), you will also have to take a few statistic courses. In my case I ended up taking 3 statistics classes.

The bottom line for economics is you have to be good at logic. you have to see inter-relationship and correlations between different events that are sometimes not that closely related (at first glance). You also need to be able to figure out those correlations mathmatically. For example if you take a Business Cycles class you will have to figure out what part of the business cycle the economy is in, and that takes a bit of statistical math.

For business you need almost no math. You need calculus to understand the finance portion of the major. Chances are that you will be taking at least 2 accounting classes which will require a basic grasp of algebra, you will use some equations from calc in finance. other than that the business major centers around things like organizatinal behavior and those theories require no mathmatical ability. Hope that answers the question.

Answer 2

Basically, if you can tie your shoes, you can be a business major. Econ involves much more strenuous math (for instance, econometrics, micro, and macro), and logical thinking.

I would say that being an econ major is a more rewarding experience. While business majors are learning Microsoft Office, Econ majors learn how we can use economic policy to shape the world and solve problems.

If you do become an Econ major, though, take it upon yourself to learn Microsoft Office (esp Excel and Access) if you plan on getting a job in finance or the like. Also, it wouldn't hurt to take more than the required accounting classes.

Answer 3

I was an economics major. Much of it is theory and logic. But there is also much math intensive parts of it (Econometrics and Statistics) that will be requirements.

Answer 4

You'll be fine at an undergrad level; neither are incredibly math intensive at that level.

Answer 5

No, I sucked in maths and still have a busuness degree.