What can you do with an Applied Economics & Management degree?

Economics is everywhere—and it can take you anywhere
Business acumen. Entrepreneurial spirit. Creative thinking. Tech-savvy. You’ll develop all that and more in the challenging, immersive, and engaging academic environment that is Dyson.

Through an interdisciplinary business curriculum—and guided by internationally renowned scholars and practitioners—a versatile, practical AEM degree prepares you for professional success in an incredible range of fields.

Our distinguished alumni lead, inspire change, and create solutions to the world’s most pressing social and economic issues. They work in finance, management, food and agriculture, sustainability, international trade, and a seemingly endless list of all the other places an applied economics education can take you.

What is the difference between economics and applied economics?

One of the top questions we see from incoming students and their families is, “What is the difference between economics and applied economics?” Economics, as an academic discipline, is a social science that explores how individuals, organizations, and societies make decisions about limited resources; it’s a broad field that entails investigating everything from income disparity and public health to global trade and supply chain issues.

An applied economics education from a business college, like the Cornell Dyson School, is more practical. By putting theory and ideas into action, you apply the theory of economics to do hands-on, tangible work in the business world. Our applied economics and management degree provides students with a robust business education that sets them apart from others in the job market.

It’s more than the economy: What is the importance of studying applied economics? 

Economics is embedded in our everyday life, from making a major household purchase to managing multinational companies. In today’s data-driven world, you’ll go far with strong critical thinking skills and a keen understanding of statistical models. That’s why studying applied economics and management serves as a launching point to careers of all kinds.

AEM alumni outcomes

Our alumni consistently cite these strengths as central to their professional growth and success. See how the Dyson School’s immersive learning experiences, dedicated faculty, and forward-looking business curriculum prepared these alumni for meaningful careers across the public and private sectors.

“The analytic rigor of the Dyson program allowed me to differentiate myself when I launched my career in fashion retail post-graduation, quickly identifying product trends and opportunities. Today, as an entrepreneur, I find myself utilizing a lot of the things I picked up and learned from the core business courses, from accounting to marketing.”

Stephanie Evans ’10

Founder & Creative Director of Pamoja, Sr. Digital Product Manager at Tapestry

“Dyson provided me with a broad and practical foundation for my career, which began in investment banking and has since taken me into the (crazy) world of startups and venture capital. As I’ve progressed through my career, my connections to Dyson classmates have become even more important as I’ve sought to build new networks, break into new industries and explore new ideas.”

Marc Silberman ’12

Partner at Comcast Ventures

“The Dyson program prepared me for the real-world business challenges ahead. In addition to the rich classroom experience, the campus life, programming and extracurriculars allowed me to build soft skills for tough situations.”

Kate Nadolny ’06

Chief Strategy Officer at AMG Companies