Deciding between Economics and Accounting for Bachelor's degree.

<p>You guys are missing the point: if you want to be an accountant, you will want to sit for the CPA exam, and you will save time and money doing an integrated program. The only thing that majoring in economics will change is that you will need to pay grad school tuition for another year and possibly study something you find less enjoyable for four.</p>

<p>This argument would make a lot more sense if it as Finance versus Economics, and even then it would need to be at different universities, because if a university has finance, it’s practically guaranteed to be more selective than the economics program and provide better employment opportunities.</p>

<p>I am a Bus Econ major. But if you plan to get a MS in accounting anyway, do your under grad in accounting. Because you will need to go back and take some 300 and 400 level accounting classes.</p>

<p>Hello, I’m new here but here is my question, and yes I have read all the previous posts in this thread, I’m also trying to decide the same issue, as I want to eventually be a CPA, but with a bit of a twist…</p>

<p>There are two state universities here locally (My husband is active duty military so local is key) Armstrong Atlantic State University and Savannah State University… according to google maps the difference in drive time is about 10 minutes, SSU being the further one. SSU is also slightly more expensive. I’m transferring from a CC in another state but due to a major change practically a freshman… SSU has the accounting degree and AASU has the economics degree. SSU is also a HBCU, me being new to the area and how southern politics may work, would anyone say that it would also be an issue me being a more waspy sort of white girl? Are there any benefits? I’m really stumped on which one to attend… Opinions Please!! Thank You!</p>

<p>Freeway, I would suggest you to do it the other way around, Bachelors in Accounting and Masters in Economics. With this combo you will be able to sit for the CPA exam, and while doing that, earn some money and be employed. My Accounting professor have this combo, and he is a CPA.</p>

<p>I think the key here is “CPA” because you need to meet the requirements to sit for the CPA exam. This usually means doing an MPA program, which good schools usually offer an integrated program for where you can start your grad classes as an undergrad.</p>

<p>I went to a state school (California State University, Chico) and decided on a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. My small college town area has very few job possibilities compared to the big city. I decided to stay in this area though and get some accounting education behind me to strengthen my job prospects. I really could not afford grad school, so I applied for Butte Community College within a couple years after graduating Chico State. I received a Certificate of Completion for Account Clerk and went to work at a local Walmart as a cashier. I have been there for almost 4 years now. Currently, I am studying through AIPB (American Institute for Professional Bookkeepers) to get my Certified Bookkeeper license. </p>

<p>This seems like a “backwards” route to go, but I think it is possible to have a “mind” for both economics and accounting. Like it was said earlier, economics is a lot of theory and accounting is more practical. I got tired of hearing the same old boring question, “You have a degree in economics? What can you do with THAT?!?” (usually during a job interview or when I am on the sales floor) Eventually, I dream of possibly getting an MBA or a CPA, but those take a ton of studying, time, and money. I am pretty happy where I am at right now even though I did not attend an “Ivy League” school. </p>

<p>-Matt</p>