This page is a snapshot of our Department of Economics in the areas of diversity, quality, areas of emphasis, funding, coursework, guidance and well-being.
Did You Know?
Economists with Graduate degrees earn an average annual salary of more than $125,000.
- By 2030, economics jobs are expected to grow by 13%.
- Graduate degrees increase earning potential by 28%.
Boise State offers a STEM-designated Master of Economics (M.Ec.), a STEM-designated Master of Science in Economics (MSE), and a Graduate Certificate in Economic Analytics and Causal Analysis. Fall Application Deadline: May 1. Deadline for Graduate Assistantship Consideration, Feb 15.
STEM Designation
The Department of Homeland Security maintains a list of university degree programs that it regards as providing a STEM education. These programs are labeled STEM-designated and their graduates have the opportunity to work in the U.S. longer than other F1-visa holders, because they can apply to extend Optional Practical Training (OPT) for up to an additional 24-months.
Diversity
The Department of Economics is one of the most diverse departments in the Pacific Northwest and possibly the nation. About 42% of our faculty are women (6 women and 8 men). We are also an international department; about 42% of our faculty are foreign-born. In the 2019-20 academic year, we will have faculty members from seven countries: China, Bangladesh, Nepal, Turkey, Italy, Greece and, of course, the U.S.
Quality
Our department includes nationally and internationally recognized faculty members. We are continually publishing our research in high-quality disciplinary and interdisciplinary academic journals. Our roster includes a Fellow of the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). Faculty members have been contributing authors to the National Climate Assessment Report and the 5th IPCC Assessment Report. Multiple members have received research grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and NASA. According to the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, our university is classified as an R2 U.S. academic institution – a Doctoral University exhibiting Higher Research Activity.
Emphasis
We are an applied department with a microeconomics emphasis; we specialize in environmental, natural resource, health, population, urban, regional and sustainability economics.
Funding
Each academic year, we offer two (2) graduate fellowships with no work commitment requirement and three (3) regular graduate assistantships. Check out the details here! These funding opportunities come with tuition waivers too.
Coursework
Graduate classes at Boise State are taught by tenured and tenure-track faculty members, not graduate students. Significant attention is placed on foundations of microeconomics and econometrics but students are also allowed to follow an interdisciplinary track through elective courses. Core classes are offered at noon, allowing for students who work to take them during a long lunch break. Many of the graduate elective classes are offered in the evening.
Guidance
Given the small program size, graduate students have ample opportunity to interact with faculty members regarding their academic work and future careers.
Our Graduates Make us Proud
Our graduates have earned placements as research analyst, economist or data scientists in a diverse array of agencies and organizations, including Amazon, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Goldman Sachs, Hewlett-Packard, the Idaho National Lab, Micron Technology, Pratt & Whitney, as well as both Economics and Data Science Ph.D. programs at top Ivy League Universities.| Year of Graduation | Graduate | Program | Placement and Job Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Sophie Croome | MSE | Research Assistant, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago |
| 2022 | Nicholas Fairbanks | M.Ec. | Reconciliation Analyst, Micron Technology |
| 2022 | Henry Johnson | MSE | Quality Assurance Analyst, Clearwater Analytics |
| 2022 | Simin Joshaghani | MSE | Economics PhD Program, University of Illinois, Chicago |
| 2022 | Thomas Lazarte | M.Ec. | Senior Analyst, Goldman Sachs |
| 2022 | Jesse Leija | M.Ec. | Senior Research Analyst, Idaho Department of Labor |
| 2022 | Joshua Olsen | M.Ec. | Supply Optimization Manager, Parkland USA |
| 2022 | Cade White | MSE | Economics PhD program, Oregon State University |
| 2021 | Kyle Brookman | MSE | Lecturer, Department of Economics, Boise State Univ. |
| 2020 | Ben Albert | MSE | Data Scientist, Hull Tactical Asset Association (HTAA) |
| 2020 | Haydn Bryan | M.Ec. | Nuclear Energy Economist, Idaho National Laboratory (INL) |
| 2020 | Kelsey Cooper | M.Ec. | Area Manager, Amazon |
| 2020 | Danny Fisher | M.Ec. | Senior Business Analyst, VisitPay |
| 2020 | Steve Hall | MSE | Researcher, Idaho National Laboratory (INL) |
| 2020 | Nhi Nguyen | M.Ec. | St Luke’s Hospital, Boise |
| 2020 | Trung Pham | MSE | United States Army |
| 2020 | Bonang Seoela | MSE | Economics PhD program, Indiana University Bloomington |
| 2019 | Thomas Lindblom | MSE | Accountant, WinCo Foods |
| 2019 | Zachary Peake | M.Ec. | Business Planning Manager, Hewlett-Packard (HP) |
| 2018 | Ravyn Farber | M.Ec. | Data Engineer, Pratt & Whitney |
| 2018 | Jennifer Moore | M.Ec. | West Ada School District |
| 2018 | Christian Sprague | MSE | Senior Data Science Fellow, Cornell Center for Social Sciences |
Personal well-being and study-life balance
Boise offers a high quality of life – combining the amenities of a medium-sized metropolitan area and great access to the outdoors. Boise is known for its four-season climate, allowing for a wide range of recreation opportunities, and 220 sunny days a year. See the Visit Boise website to learn about fun and exciting things to do and see.