Computational Economics

The Bachelor of Science in Computational Economics is the first program of its kind in New York State where you learn how to apply high-level quantitative and data analytical skills to solve economic and business-related problems. Similar programs are offered at prestigious institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Brown University, and Washington University.

In this unique program you will develop quantitative and data analytics skills that are applied to questions in business and economics. Historically, these skills have only been held by highly academically trained individuals, such as PhD students, but with this program, it is now possible for you to learn them at the undergraduate level.

The program is

• 120 credits
• STEM designated
• available on the New York City and Pleasantville campuses
• a joint offering of Dyson College and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems

Who is this program for?

If you are interested in the crossroads of economics, computer science, programming, data analysis, and big data, this program is for you.

Apply today!

A new era: Why is there a need for this program?

A new era exists today in which almost every business sells their product(s) online. Add to that greater access to real-time data and information on the Internet, and the result is an increase in demand for economists and data analysts working with computer scientists to determine, for example, appropriate pricing for products and services in real-time, as is the case with Uber.

A winning formula

Data availability is not enough. Add to it the power of economics and computer science and the result is a better predictive model of people’s decision-making behavior. Who are your potential buyers? What product should you sell to whom?

AI: More than a buzz word

Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and econometrics are examples of quantitative analysis tools that were not easily applicable until recently because we did not have access to the kind of data and computing we do today. In our program you will gain an understanding of how to model and apply knowledge about a topic to these techniques.

Skills that give you a competitive edge

You need programming skills to learn how to work with data and to apply different types of analysis to the data. Python, R and Stata help you learn and utilize quantitative techniques to answer key questions on people’s choices and to model what is available. You will benefit from learning them all because companies ask for differing skills, giving you a competitive advantage.

It's not just STEM: Add critical thinking, modeling, and analysis skills

It is not only STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) that is important; you also need sharp critical thinking and modeling skills of the liberal arts. At Pace, you will gain a solid understanding of the core theories like how people behave, and not just quantitative ones. Both are equally key.

Students spoke, we listened

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Our economics students expressed a desire to learn more coding for use in their internships and as part of co-curricular activities such as the award-winning Federal Reserve College Challenge and the Fiscal Challenge, seeing its importance in making real-time graphs that are updated automatically during these competitions.

Our esteemed faculty

Our faculty provide you with one-to-one guidance that will help you develop your own ideas. Their mentorship often results in students presenting at professional and academic environments such as the Eastern Economics Association and the Dallas Conference for Undergraduate Economic Research.

The wave of the future

Pace designed this program with the current growing labor market in mind and you will learn above and beyond your regular curriculum with higher-level courses that will give you a competitive edge. Jobs within data analysis and mathematics have a projected 27.61% employment growth (Burning Glass (2022)) and skills you will acquire in this program have high projected growth, such as

• Python (48.02%)
• Git (9.01%)
• Big Data (8.53%)
• SQL (8.45%)
• Data Analysis (7.42%)

Competitive starting salaries

The Pace Economics department’s goal is for graduates of this program to earn a robust salary immediately upon entering the workforce. Estimates for the first two years’ salary based on areas of focus are:

• policy analysis and planning (58k)
• financial analysis (87k)
• general research (49k)
• marketing specialists (61k)
• business intelligence (78k)
• data analysis and mathematics (78k)
• software development (88K)

Employment areas

Work in industries such as business, finance, government, consultancies, research, arts, and entertainment, etc.