How to Combine Political Science or Economics With Another Major

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People searching for the best double major with Economics or Political Science want clarity about careers, not abstract theory. These majors attract students who enjoy reading, structured analysis, debate, and understanding how decisions affect institutions and markets. Political Science teaches how government systems operate, how policy decisions are made, and how power functions within legal and political institutions. Economics focuses on markets, incentives, and resource allocation that influence business and public outcomes.

Despite their value, both majors raise a common concern: career direction. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, many entry-level roles in policy analysis, research, government, and business now expect applied, technical, or analytical skills beyond a single major. At the same time, rising college costs make poor academic planning costly. Declaring a second major without purpose or delaying decisions can increase tuition and extend time to graduation.

This article explains how to combine Economics or Political Science with another major based on skills, entry-level job roles, salary ranges, internship paths, and long-term planning. The goal is to help students choose combinations that support both academic success and career outcomes.

Popular Double Majors With Economics

Economics + Business or Finance
Economics + Computer Science
Economics + Mathematics
Economics + Political Science

Popular Double Majors With Political Science

Political Science + Economics
Political Science Double Major for Law School
Political Science + Communications

Common Double Major Mistakes Students Make

4. FAQs

Popular Double Major With Economics

The American Economic Association reports that Economics graduates enter a wide range of fields, including business services, government, finance, and education, with no single dominant career track.

The best double major with economics combines economic reasoning with applied skills that employers can use right away. Economics builds strong foundations in data interpretation, incentives, and decision analysis. On its own, the major stays broad. When paired with a practical field, it becomes career-directed and easier to apply in professional settings.

Option 1: Economics + Business or Finance

One of the most practical and widely chosen combinations is Economics with Business or Finance. When you pair Economics with Business or Finance, you show employers you can think and act. Economics gives you analytical ability, while Business/Finance adds:

Financial analysis and planning
Understanding of markets and companies
Ability to read and interpret financial statements
Project and operations support skills

Employers look for these skills in entry-level hires because they help teams make decisions, forecast trends, and manage budgets. Together with Economics, these majors prepare you for careers in corporate finance, consulting, banking, or strategy teams.

Entry-Level Job Roles and Their Average Salary Ranges

Financial Analyst: $62,410, while the highest 10% earned more than $180,550 per year (BLS, May 2024)
Business Analyst: $101,190 per year (BLS, May 2024)
Budget Analyst: $60,700- $72,490 per year (Salary.com)

Internships That Help: Students should pursue internships that align with both majors, such as:

Finance Internships at banks or investment firms.
Business Analyst internships with consulting firms.
Corporate finance programs at companies

These help you build practical skills, improve your resume, and often lead to full-time job offers before graduation.

Who Does This Combination Fit Best

This combination works well if you want a clear path into business or finance roles after college. It fits you if you like working with numbers, solving practical problems, and understanding how companies make decisions. It also suits you if you see yourself working in corporate offices, consulting firms, banks, or large organizations. This also supports plans for an MBA or other finance-focused graduate programs later on.

Option 2: Economics, Computer Science

Another highly valuable option is Economics with Computer Science, which ranks among the strongest double majors for career flexibility and pay growth. Economics explains how decisions, incentives, and markets behave while adding analytical thinking and interpretation. Computer Science adds

Programming with Python, Java, or R
Data analysis using SQL and Excel
Statistical modeling and automation
Algorithm design and system logic

Together, these skills support roles in technology, finance, consulting, research, and analytics teams.

Entry-Level Job Roles and Their Average Salary Ranges

Data Analyst: $70,000- $100,000 per year (Glassdoor)
Software Developer: $132,930 per year (BSL, May 2024)
Operations Research Analyst: $83,640 per year (BSL, May 2024)

Salaries rise quickly with experience, technical depth, and project work.

Internship That Helps: Internships should focus on both analysis and technical execution.

Data Analyst internships using Python, SQL, and Excel
Software engineering internships focused on backend or data tools
Research assistant roles involving modeling, forecasting, or datasets
Analytic roles at consulting or finance firms

Employers expect interns to show coding projects, data work, and clear problem-solving examples.

Who Does This Combination Fit Best

This combination fits you if you enjoy logic, numbers, and building things that work. It suits you if you like coding, working with data, or solving structured problems. It also works well if you want flexibility across tech, finance, research, or consulting roles.

Option 3: Economics + Mathematics

Economics + Mathematics creates a strong foundation for roles that rely on quantitative thinking, modeling, and advanced analysis. Economics explains how systems behave and how decisions affect outcomes. Mathematics adds precision, structure, and proof-based reasoning. Mathematics adds:

Advanced calculus and linear algebra
Probability and statistical theory
Quantitative modeling and optimization methods
Logical reasoning and proof skills

These skills support roles in research, finance, policy analysis, and graduate-level study.

Entry-Level Job Roles and Their Average Salary Ranges

Economist (Junior or Research Economist): $115,730 per year (BLS May 2024)
Operations Research Analyst: $83,640 per year (BLS May 2024)
Quantitative Analyst: $85,000- $120,000 per year (PayScale)

Salaries increase with experience, technical depth, and graduate-level training.

Internships That Help

Internships for this combination should focus on quantitative work and modeling. Useful options include:

Research assistant roles using statistical software
Economics analysis internships in government agencies
Quantitative finance internships at banks or investment firms
Data or modeling roles using R, Python, or MATLAB

Who Does This Combination Fit Best

This combination works well if you enjoy math-heavy courses and abstract problem-solving. It fits you if you like theory, structure, and precision. It also suits you if you plan to pursue graduate study in Economics, Mathematics, Finance, or public policy.

Option 4: Economics + Political Science

Economics + Political Science work well for a path tied to policy, government, public administration, and research. Economics explains how resources, incentives, and outcomes interact. Political Science explains how laws, institutions, and power shape those outcomes and adds:

Policy evaluation and institutional analysis
Research and writing skills
Understanding of government systems and lawmaking
Public administration and governance knowledge

These skills support roles in government agencies, nonprofits, research organizations, and policy-focused teams.

Entry-Level Job Roles and Their Average Salary Ranges

Policy Analyst: $60,000- $90,000 per year (PayScale)
Legislative Assistant/ Policy Assistant: $45,000- $75,000 per year (Glassdoor)
Public Administration Analyst: $99,410 per year (BLS, May 2024)

Internships That Help

Internships should focus on policy exposure, research, and applied analysis. Strong options include:

Government internships at city, state, or federal offices
Policy research internships at think tanks
Nonprofit program analysis roles
Legislative internships supporting policy research and drafting

Useful skills during an internship include policy writing, Excel analysis, basic data work, and research methods.

Who Does This Combination Fit Best

This combination fits you if you care about how policy affects people, markets, or institutions. It suits you if you enjoy reading, writing, research, and structured analysis. It also works well if you plan to pursue careers in government, public service, nonprofits, or policy-focused graduate programs.

Note: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, analytical occupations such as policy analyst, operations research analyst, and management analyst are projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2032.

Popular Double Major With Political Science

The best double major with Political Science adds practical skills to a theory-focused major. Political Science builds strong reading, writing, and institutional knowledge, but leaves applied gaps. A second major adds structure, analysis, or communication tools that support clear career paths. This pairing improves job readiness in government, policy, law, advocacy, and research roles. The strongest combinations link Political Science to applied fields that support policy work, legal preparation, or public-facing careers.

Option 1: Political Science + Economics

Political Science and Economics rank as the most searched and most practical pairing. Political Science explains institutions, governance, and public decision-making. Economics adds analytical tools that explain outcomes, incentives, and resource allocation. Together, this combination strengthens policy analysis and government decision support. It adds values like

Policy evaluation and cost-benefit analysis
Data interpretation and economic reasoning
Research design and applied analysis
Government and institutional knowledge

Employers value this mix because it supports work in policy development, economic planning, regulatory analysis, and public program evaluation.

Entry-Level Job Roles and Their Average Salary Ranges

Policy Analyst: $60,000- $90,000 per year (PayScale)
Economic Research Assistant: $50,000- $70,000 per year (Glassdoor)
Government Program Analyst: $55,000- $80,000 per year (Indeed)

These roles often grow in pay with experience and advanced degrees.

Internships That Help

Policy research internships at think tanks
Government analysis internships at city, state, or federal offices
Economic research roles with nonprofits
Legislative internships involving briefing and drafting

Internships that combine economic analysis and policy work build a strong resume.

Who Does This Combination Fit Best

This combination fits you if you want careers in government, policy research, or economic planning. It suits you if you enjoy analysis, structured writing, and understanding how decisions impact society.

Option 2: Political Science Double Major for Law School

A Political Science double major for law school works best when the second major strengthens legal reasoning, writing depth, and analytical discipline. Political Science introduces constitutional law, courts, legal institutions, and public policy. Law schools focus on how well courts, legal institutions, and public policy function. Law schools focus on how well you read complex material, build arguments, and write under pressure. While this combination adds:

Case briefing and issue spotting
Statutory interpretation and policy analysis
Argument structure using IRAC-style reasoning
Legal research, citations, and source evaluation

Strong second majors for pre-law students include History, Philosophy, Economics, and English. History trains close reading of primary sources. Philosophy builds logic and argument testing.

Entry-Level Roles Before Law School and Their Salary Ranges

Legal Research Assistant: $48,000 - $70,000 per year (Glassdoor)
Paralegal or Legal Assistant: $59,200 per year (BLS, May 2024)
Compliance Assistant: $50,000- $75,000 per year (PayScale)

These roles help students gain legal exposure before applying to law school.

Internships That Help

Law firm internships supporting case research
Court internships assisting with filings and briefs
Government legal offices at the city or state level
Policy or regulatory research roles

These internships build familiarity with legal language, case structure, and professional expectations.

Who Does This Combination Fit Best

This option fits you if you plan to attend law school and enjoy dense reading, debate, and argument construction. It suits students focused on court systems, legal interpretation, and public law.

Option 3: Political Science + Communications

Political Science and Communications work well for careers that involve public messaging, advocacy, and public, voters, and stakeholders. Together, this combination supports policy promotion, media strategy, and public engagement roles. It adds values like:

Public writing and message development
Media relations and press communication
Speech writing and audience targeting
Campaign and advocacy communication

Employers value this mix because it supports work in public affairs, nonprofit advocacy, political campaigns, and media-facing roles.

Entry-Level Job Roles and Their Average Salary Ranges

Public Affairs Coordinator: $55,000- $80,000 per year (Glassdoor)
Communications Specialist: $62,000 per year (BLS, May 2024)
Advocacy Program Associate: $50,000- $75,000 per year (PayScale)

Internships That Help

Internships should focus on writing, outreach, and public engagement.

Political campaign communication internships
Nonprofit advocacy and outreach roles
Public relations or media relations internships
Government communications offices

These internships build writing samples, media experience, and public messaging skills.

Who Does This Combination Fit Best

This combination fits you if you enjoy writing, public speaking, and shaping messages. It suits you if you want careers in advocacy, public affairs, political campaigns, or media-related roles.

Common Double Major Mistakes Students Make

A 2023 NACE survey reported that over 60% of employers rank problem-solving, analytical thinking, and communication skills above a student's major title.

Mistake 1: Choosing a Double Major Based on Trend

Many students pick a double major combination because it looks popular or high-paying. This ignores personal strengths and long-term career planning. Trend-based choices often lead to burnout and weak academic results.

Mistake 2: Ignoring GPA Impact

Some double major paths overload semesters with heavy reading, writing, or math courses. This hurts a college's GPA, which affects law school admissions, graduate programs, and competitive jobs.

Mistake 3: Waiting Too Long to Declare

Delaying a second major declaration causes missed prerequisites and extra semesters. Late planning increases tuition costs and delays graduation.

Mistake 4: Skipping Academic Advisor Input

Avoiding academic advising leads to poor course sequencing and credit waste. Advisors help align degree planning with graduation timelines.

Mistake 5: Chasing Titles Instead of Skills

Employers value job-ready skills, internships, and applied experience more than major labels. A double major without skills adds little value.

Read Also: Bachelor of Science in Economics

Conclusion

A double major adds value only when it supports skills and outcomes. Labor data shows that roles in finance, analytics, policy, law, and public affairs reward applied ability, not major count. The best double majors for Economics and Political Science pair theory with analysis, communication, or technical training.

Early planning helps students graduate on time and protect their PA, while late or trend-based choices raise costs and stress. Internships, course overlap, and advisor guidance matter in major selection. When planned well, a double major makes you ready for the job, graduate school options, and career clarity without extending college time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a double major better than a minor for Economics or Political Science?

A double major gives deeper skill coverage than a minor. It shows stronger academic commitment and opens more career paths. A minor works well when you want exposure without added workload. A double major suits students with clear goals and strong planning.

How hard is it to manage a workload with a double major in college?

Workload depends on the combination. Pairings with similar course styles feel manageable. Mixing heavy math with heavy writing increases pressure. Time management and balanced semester planning make a major difference.

Do employers prefer a double major or relevant work experience?

Employers value work experience more than the number of majors. A double major helps when it supports internships, skills, or applied projects. Experience proves readiness, while majors explain academic background.

Is a double major worth it for government jobs?

A double major helps for government roles when it adds analysis, policy, or communication skills. Agencies value subject knowledge paired with practical ability. Internship matters just as much as coursework.

How early should you decide on a double major in college?

The best time is during the first or second year. Early decisions allow course overlap and avoid extra semesters. Late changes increase costs and scheduling problems.

What is the difference between a double major and a dual degree?

A double major earns one degree with two fields of study. A dual degree earns two separate degrees with more credits. Dual degrees take longer and cost more.