Skip to main content

At a glance

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 Master of Economics (M.Ec.), a Master of Science in Economics (MSE), and a Graduate Certificate in Econometrics. Fall Application Deadline: May 1. Deadline for Graduate Assistantship Consideration, Feb 15.

Diversity

campus scene of students outside COBE

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 US. Learn about the College’s inclusive excellence strategy here.

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 GraduationGraduateProgramPlacement and Job Title
2022Sophie Croome
MSEResearch Assistant, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
2022Nicholas Fairbanks

M.Ec.Reconciliation Analyst, Micron Technology
2022Henry Johnson
MSEQuality Assurance Analyst, Clearwater Analytics
2022Simin Joshaghani
MSEEconomics PhD Program, University of Illinois, Chicago
2022Thomas Lazarte
M.Ec.Senior Analyst, Goldman Sachs
2022Jesse Leija
M.Ec.Senior Research Analyst, Idaho Department of Labor
2022Joshua Olsen
M.Ec.Supply Optimization Manager, Parkland USA
2022Cade WhiteMSEEconomics PhD program, Oregon State University
2021Kyle BrookmanMSELecturer, Department of Economics, Boise State Univ.
2020Ben Albert
MSEData Scientist, Hull Tactical Asset Association (HTAA)
2020Haydn Bryan

M.Ec.Nuclear Energy Economist, Idaho National Laboratory (INL)
2020Kelsey Cooper
M.Ec.Area Manager, Amazon
2020Danny Fisher
M.Ec.Senior Business Analyst, VisitPay
2020Steve Hall
MSEResearcher, Idaho National Laboratory (INL)
2020Nhi Nguyen
M.Ec.St Luke's Hospital, Boise
2020Trung Pham
MSEUnited States Army
2020Bonang SeoelaMSEEconomics PhD program, Indiana University Bloomington
2019Thomas Lindblom
MSEAccountant, WinCo Foods
2019Zachary Peake
M.Ec.Business Planning Manager, Hewlett-Packard (HP)
2018Ravyn Farber

M.Ec.Data Engineer, Pratt & Whitney
2018
Jennifer Moore
M.Ec.West Ada School District
2018Christian SpragueMSESenior 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.