• <a href="/live/image/gid/67/width/650/86484_Econ_main_image.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image86484"> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/67/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86484_Econ_main_image.rev.1607646589.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/67/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86484_Econ_main_image.rev.1607646589.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/67/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86484_Econ_main_image.rev.1607646589.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(min-width: 501px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/67/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86484_Econ_main_image.rev.1607646589.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/67/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86484_Econ_main_image.rev.1607646589.jpg 2x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/67/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86484_Econ_main_image.rev.1607646589.jpg" alt="Econ students participating in a Federal Open Market Committee meeting simulation." width="720" height="690" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/67/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86484_Econ_main_image.rev.1607646589.jpg 2x" data-max-w="1634" data-max-h="1566" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </a><div class="hero-split_image_caption collapsable-caption"> Econ students  participating in a Federal Open Market Committee meeting simulation.</div>
  • <a href="/live/image/gid/67/width/650/95915_econ_dept.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image95915"> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/67/width/500/height/479/crop/1/95915_econ_dept.rev.1663882763.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/67/width/500/height/479/crop/1/95915_econ_dept.rev.1663882763.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/67/width/500/height/479/crop/1/95915_econ_dept.rev.1663882763.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(min-width: 501px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/67/width/720/height/690/crop/1/95915_econ_dept.rev.1663882763.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/67/width/720/height/690/crop/1/95915_econ_dept.rev.1663882763.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/67/width/720/height/690/crop/1/95915_econ_dept.rev.1663882763.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/67/width/720/height/690/crop/1/95915_econ_dept.rev.1663882763.jpg" alt="Professor Aine McCarthy teaches the Grossman Model of health investments in ECON 312 Global Health Economics." width="720" height="690" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/67/width/720/height/690/crop/1/95915_econ_dept.rev.1663882763.jpg 2x" data-max-w="2400" data-max-h="1818" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </a><div class="hero-split_image_caption collapsable-caption"> Professor Aine McCarthy teaches the Grossman Model of health investments in ECON 312 Global Health Economics.</div>

Why Choose a Degree in Economics?

Majoring or minoring in economics will help you develop an analytical toolkit for thinking critically about complex economic, political, and social issues. If you earn an economics degree at Lewis & Clark, you will be able to use economic theory to form rigorous hypotheses, collect relevant data, use empirical and quantitative methods to test and interpret those hypotheses, and communicate those analytical results in a range of formats. Students majoring or minoring in economics graduate with a BA and an excellent preparation for a variety of careers.

What You’ll Study

Our interdisciplinary curriculum begins with an introduction to the methods and questions of economics. Students are then encouraged to explore the range of electives and core courses offered, choosing one of three concentrations (international, public policy, or theory) or electing to pursue a general economics degree. We facilitate and encourage student research at all levels, including as research assistants in faculty research, as partners in student-faculty research collaborations, and as independent student researchers under the guidance of a faculty member. Many of our students earn course credit toward their economics degree while on an overseas program.

Outside the classroom, we offer robust experiential learning opportunities through internships that give our students the chance to put economic concepts to work in real job environments. Students in our program have interned at American Express Financial Advisors, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, Cadmus Group Portland, ECONorthwest, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, Oregon Center for Public Policy, Oregon Environmental Council, and Puma AG, among other businesses and agencies. We also host the annual Mattersdorff-Steinhardt lecture for the campus community, given by a distinguished economics scholar chosen by the faculty.

Curriculum

Complement Your Education With One of These Minors

The most popular minors for our economics majors are data science, entrepreneurial leadership and innovation, and mathematics.


What Students Are Saying About Lewis & Clark

  • Lewis & Clark is just what I want from college: a community with friendly peers and close student-faculty relationships.

    Iris Hu BA ’20
    Economics | Shanghai, China
    More about Iris
  • You aren’t going to reach a meaningful solution unless you think carefully and deeply.

    Amy Gore BA ’21
    World Languages and Literatures (Chinese and Spanish) | Seattle, Washington
    More about Amy
  • My favorite spot on campus would have to be this amazing sofa in Copeland Hall.

    Ary Hashim BA ’20
    Economics | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    More about Ary

What Can You Do With a Degree in Economics?

Our alumni use their BA in economics in a variety of careers in the private sector, government, and academia. Others transfer the rigor and creativity cultivated in their undergraduate experience into advanced degrees, competitive fellowships, Fulbright grants, and Rhodes scholarships.

Dedicated Faculty

Our expert professors are your expert mentors. You will learn directly from faculty (no graduate assistants here!) that are nationally recognized in their fields of study and who love to work with and learn from their students. Your professors will inspire you to be a thoughtful and passionate participant in a diverse world. Your small classes will support you as you explore new ideas, find your voice, and speak your truth.

Our economics faculty offer expertise in a variety of topics, including environmental economics, labor economics, game theory, financial markets, radical political economy, business cycles, public finance, poverty, international trade and finance, econometrics, development economics, economic history, economics of technology, and urban economics. Faculty have active research programs, have published articles in a range of outlets, and regularly speak at local and international policymaking gatherings and national academic conferences.

Meet the Professors

  • 15% 

    first-generation students at Lewis & Clark College

  • 1 of 7 

    L&C is one of seven Oregon schools to make the national Colleges of Distinction list in 2023–24.

  • 10% 

    of our students are from countries other than the U.S.

  • Equity 

    We are the only liberal arts school in Oregon on Colleges of Distinction’s “Best Equity and Inclusion” list for 2023–24.

  • Top 

    For the seventh time in 10 years, Lewis & Clark has been named a Fulbright U.S. Student Program Top Producing Institution for 2023–24.

Invest in Yourself

A private liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think. Last year, Lewis & Clark distributed over $74 million in assistance from institutional, federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, we’re so confident that our first-year students will graduate in four years with their bachelor of arts degree that if you don’t, we’ll cover the extra semester of tuition.

Find Your People

The Society of Economists is a student organization that welcomes all those interested in learning, debating, and pondering economics. Their activities include attending economic conferences, inviting speakers and comedians to campus, field trips, and movie nights. Sometimes they meet to explore a subject like game theory or behavioral economics, and sometimes they meet just to eat some pizza!


  • I’m planning on graduating with my MA in economics in spring of 2024. I also proofread and edit as a side job/hobby, and have my own website: roseproof.com

    Allison Behrens BA ’21
    Political Science and Economics
    More about Allison
  • L&C classes taught me critical-thinking skills and how to ask the right question in different situations. This is useful in my job at a manufacturing company in Southeast Portland.

    John Thoma BA ’21
    Economics | Yarmouth, Maine
    More about John
  • As a liberal arts school, Lewis & Clark prepared me for my career path by reminding me that there are endless opportunities one can explore instead of restricting oneself within a specific box.

    Uwella Rubuga BA ’19
    Economics | Computer Science | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
    More about Uwella

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