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I want to major in business, what science class should I take?

I am a junior and I want to major in finance and economics in college. I am taking physics right now. I have always wanted to be rich and if I want to be rich I have to know how money works. I have played soccer all my life and I am looking to go to college for soccer as well.

finance economics
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Tom’s Answer

Hi Leonardo, great question and I'm glad that you're thinking ahead. Based on my experience, quantitative skills and general intuition around numbers can be super helpful both in the academic and professional context. I would definitely recommend you take an adequately challenging math class (and econ class if offered at your school). If you're only choosing between different science classes, physics is a good choice, as it tests your understanding of numbers in different contexts.

Being good at math is not the only important part in economics and finance, the tricky part is often understanding the "so what" or the impact on the real world context. Therefore, I recommend you to also do some learning outside of the classroom. Reading the newspapers such as the Wall Street Journal, magazines such as The Economist, or even courses online/on Youtube to start building your intuition early could be all be helpful additions to your classes in school.
Thank you comment icon Thank you for giving me advice. Leonardo
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Elyse’s Answer

Generally speaking, colleges require incoming students to have taken biology and physics. If you haven't taken one of those, that's top priority.

If you are more concerned with earning college credit, many colleges require you to take a science gen ed class or two. For me, AP Bio was able to cover that requirement.

You will want to check what the college you plan on going to wants. Some colleges are more restrictive about taking AP credits. If you don't know which college you want to attend, check the requirements for your local state school and a stretch school.

Your college is likely posting the average earnings of their graduates by major. Some schools have relationships with certain employers, meaning some majors will have better outcomes than they would at other schools. Your school's starting salary numbers will be the best way to see the value of different majors.

If you can't find this info on the school's website, look them up on the US Department of Education's College Scorecard website. Search your college, then expand the Typical Earnings tab. Click "All Fields of Study" to see the data by major.

You can also see the average debt a student graduates with. Debt is a huge drag on early career earnings, it will prevent you from being able to take career risks which can level up your income. This matters even more if you are considering pursuing entrepreneurship.

Elyse recommends the following next steps:

Check your college's entrance requirements (do they have specific science class requirements?)
Check your college's credit transfer policy (do they accept AP credit/dual enrollment/IB credit?)
EXTRA: Look at the expected earnings of finance and economics majors at your potential colleges
Thank you comment icon Thanks for the advice. Leonardo
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Kevin’s Answer

Hello Leonardo - you will first want to look at your University's course catalog to determine which science courses are available for you within your business major. In general, I think you may want to select the science course that most interests you. There is no surefire path towards amassing extraordinary wealth, but I think following your interests is likely the most sustainable route (as you will stay engaged in your career until you reach the point where great wealth is a possibility). With that said, if you aren't certain which subject may be most interesting, physics may be worth trying, given that there will be some overlap in the critical thinking and mathematics skills between physics, finance, and computer science (which is increasingly a basic skill for financial analysts and economists).
Thank you comment icon Thank you, Kevin! Leonardo
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Violaine’s Answer

If you're thinking about majoring in business, finance, or economics, taking classes in economics and math-related subjects like statistics or computer science can really help you. Physics is also a good choice for improving problem-solving skills. Focus on courses that boost your analytical thinking. It's wonderful that you're balancing soccer and your studies—keep up the great work in both areas!
Thank you comment icon I appreciate your support, Violaine Leonardo
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Alice’s Answer

Hi Leonardo. Great ambition! Achieving wealth takes effort, but finance can be a very rewarding field. Investment banking often offers the highest earnings, while CPA/accounting provides stability and a good work-life balance. A career in finance means being comfortable with numbers, so classes in math, statistics, and physics are great choices. If you can, also consider studying economics and information technology to build a strong foundation for your future in finance.
Thank you comment icon I appreciate you taking the time to answer this. Leonardo
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Stephen’s Answer

I'm going through this too with my kids, who are in the same boat as you. Since you're interested in a Business degree, it's important to challenge yourself in core subjects like Math, English, and Science during high school. You don't necessarily need to take AP Biology, but consider taking Environmental Science, maybe at the AP or Honors level. Colleges like to see students pushing themselves. Also, as someone mentioned earlier, Finance and Economics aren't just about numbers; they're about analyzing things, which you can learn through science classes.
Thank you comment icon Thank you Stephen! Leonardo
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Chris’s Answer

Hi Leonardo! I think you have great ambitions - when I got my degree in Finance, there weren't Science courses specific to a degree in Business Administration degree pathways, so I was allowed to choose what interested me, which were Psychology and Astronomy at the time. Psychology is great to be able to understand how decision-making and human behavior works. Astronomy was a choice because I didn't know much about the topic, so it was a way for me to step out of my comfort zone and learn something new. I think whatever you choose will be great options, because university is a good opportunity to think about the world differently. Best of luck in your endeavors!
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much! Leonardo
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Wasem’s Answer

Studying computer science and math will be very helpful for you.
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Keeva’s Answer

Look for as many scholarships as you can to help pay for college. This will keep your student loans low, making it easier for you to build wealth in the future.

When you start college, keep an open mind. I originally majored in economics and finance but changed after my sophomore year because I found other subjects I enjoyed more. College is a time to explore, so don’t be afraid to try different things. Focus on your main classes but make sure to finish your core requirements before deciding on a specific major. Good luck!

Keeva recommends the following next steps:

Set-up a day per week for 1 hour to research scholarships. Look for soccer specific scholarships!
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Jill M. H.’s Answer

Science isn't a main subject in business schools, but you might still need to study it. Choose something that really interests you. You might discover a new passion. Also, think about the companies you might want to work for later. For instance, if you're interested in finance at a pharmaceutical company, chemistry could be a good choice. It would help you understand the products and services they offer.
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Jennifer’s Answer

Hi Leonardo! It’s great that you’re already thinking about how money and systems work. A science like Environmental Science, economics or personal finance - maybe even accounting - will support those interests while possibly meeting college requirements. Choose the option that best fits your strengths and allows you to balance academics and soccer. Sometimes, as you start your journey in college, it will unfold naturally from there with the guidance of your counselor.
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Lolita’s Answer

Any of the sciences will help you build important analytical and problem solving skills that you can later apply to any career in finance or economics. Take the science that interests you the most so it will hold your interest in learning and scientific methods. All the best to you, Leonardo! Keep learning!
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Jaime’s Answer

If you are looking to major in Business, I would consider taking a computer/data science class. Many fields within business administration are increasingly data-driven, and any experience/knowledge you can get on topics such as process automation, data visualization, predictive modelling, Python, SQL, and Excel automation will be extremely beneficial to you in business. AI and machine learning are transforming business operations in every industry - - soak in as much experience as you can in college so that you are prepared for a role in any industry with a skillset that has become so widely relevant.
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Tian’s Answer

Hi Leonardo,

Statistics or something in Data/Computer Science would be very relevant and useful.
As someone who works in Finance, a good understanding of data and the ability to identify trends and discern good data from bad are becoming increasingly important.

Computer science is also a very practical option. Being a master coder may not be the goal, but understanding how systems and automation work is a great skill. Basic Excel logic can be a great advantage in itself.

While maybe not the first things we think of when we hear the word science, those would develop great skills, if offered.
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