Wake Forest Economics Department

Economics is about understanding the behavior of people. In particular, economics seeks to address how the world can be understood based on the incentives that various economic agents face. In practice, the study of economics involves using both conceptual and empirical tools to examine how people make choices. This theoretical and data work is, in turn, crucial in informing policymakers how to make their decisions.

Our majors gain strong quantitative skills through their courses and end up working in a vast array of professions: consulting, healthcare, banking, finance, pharmaceuticals, and real estate, to name a few, while others find careers in non-profit and public sectors. We also send our students to graduate school in law, business, economics, or public policy to name a few. 

Our majors also tend to have substantial earning power based on their economics degree. According to the Wall Street Journal’s “Degrees That Pay You Back” data, economics majors have the highest mid-career median salary of any non-engineering major.

So, please come visit us in the department and talk to our many faculty about your future major in economics!

NEWS

• 
  Professor Strumpf Featured in CNBC on Election Prediction Markets
  Economics Professor Koleman Strumpf was featured in a recent CNBC article examining the millions of dollars traded on prediction markets during the 2026 midterm elections. Strumpf noted that while platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket performed well in forecasting election outcomes, they did not outperform the best traditional polling forecasts. His insights offer perspective on the […]
• 
  Professor Koleman Strumpf Weighs In on Predication Markets
  Prediction markets have experienced tremendous growth, but election-related trading isn’t keeping pace. A recent Bloomberg article explores why platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket haven’t seen the same enthusiasm surrounding the 2026 midterm elections as they did during the 2024 presidential election. Professor Koleman Strumpf, our expert on prediction markets, continues to bring valuable insight to […]
• 
  Professor Lakdawala Weighs in on Affordability and the 2026 Election
  Professor Lakdawala was featured in a recent WFMY News 2 article examining the role affordability played in Roy Cooper’s U.S. Senate victory. The article explores how concerns over everyday expenses influenced North Carolina voters and the challenges of turning campaign promises into meaningful economic relief. Read the full WFMY News 2 article

EVENTS