I am looking to major in economics/mathematics or get into the ross school of business. I have a fairly good chance of getting into ross so let’s just say it’s likely in this case. Which major will yield better jobs? Which major will be more profitable? Which looks better to employers? Im trying to figure out whether econ/math or ross business will be a better route for me. Both areas of study interest me very much. Hope someone can help
Your prospects will be better from Ross.
Definitely Ross!
Business schools have, over the last 30 years, somewhat formalized the process of forming an elite cohort in business schools; hiring that elite cohort into a pipeline pointed toward the top of the organization; moving that cohort up the pipeline. Of course, this is conditional on performance at each and every level. While many folks run companies without a business degree – chiefly on some sort of technical merit – this entire process is smoother if you enter it through/via a business school which increases your exposure and thus odds of success. A dual econ/math concentration(s) will also serve you very well – Michigan is strong in both disciplines – but getting into the interviewing pipeline and getting the focus received by business school students will be tougher. Given that great weight is accorded to technical merit in technology driven companies, and given that more and more companies are being driven by mathematics/technology, the math/econ thing will work for you if you focus your efforts in companies with a technology culture.
All of the above said, communications (the ability to read and write) skills are highly valued and heavily weighted. If you combine outstanding communication skills with a math degree and a degree of social intelligence, the potential job market will be huge: general management, consulting, technology, actuarial/insurance work, public policy, academia…the list is really endless because very few people span both soft and hard skills, few people span both math and English at a level of sophistication. Take a few additional courses in Python, R, C++ and you will be good to go.
Why not do both? In terms of desirability for jobs at the Bachelor’s level: 1. Business, 2. Math, 3. Econ. Ross students are well recruited.