Pathways in Agricultural and Consumer Economics

Employing strong analytical skills, understand statistical methods and computational tools to analyze economic data and derive meaningful insights for forecasting, policy analysis, decision-making, and management.

Sample job titles

Data Analyst, Consultant, Account Strategist, Policy Solutions Consultant, Transportation Cost Estimator, Business and Technology Strategy Consultant, Financial Management Analyst, Valuation Associate, Global Transaction Services Analyst, Commercial Real Estate Analyst, Risk Analyst, Credit Analyst, Transformation Advisory, Public Policy Analyst

ACE Courses

• ACE 161: Computer Concepts and Applications
• ACE 262: Applied Statistical Methods and Data Analytics I
• ACE 264: Applied Statistical Methods and Data Analytics II
• ACE 344: FinTech in Personal Finance and Financial Planning
• ACE 360: Spreadsheet Models and Applications
• ACE 407: Business and Industry Data Analysis
• ACE 408: Environmental Valuation
• ACE 446: Modeling Applications in Financial Planning
• ACE 562: Applied Regression Models I (need instructor approval)
• ACE 564: Applied Regression Models II (need instructor approval)

Complementary Disciplines

Consider taking courses, minors, dual degrees, or certificates within these areas to complement your degree:

Computer Science, Data Science, Informatics, Information Science, Econometrics, Game Studies & Design, Geographic Information Science, Spatial and Quantitative Methods in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, Statistics

Investigate individual and household behavior in areas that include food, education, health, savings, financial planning, and retirement. Faculty and students have analyzed how consumers use information in food choice decisions, how childhood conditions affect outcomes in adulthood, how to use data science to reduce global poverty, how effective policies are in changing consumer behavior and improving consumer welfare, how outcomes differ for those in historically marginalized groups, and a range of issues related to decision making, education, fertility, sustainability, digital finance, fintech, and poverty. 

Sample Job Titles

Client Financial Management Analyst, Health Client Specialist, Client Relationship Manager, Realty Associate, Field Sales Professional, Sales Representative, Real Estate Agent, Insurance Broker, Client Solutions Executive, Consultant, Corporate Social Responsibility Coordinator, Digital Marketing Associate

• ACE 220: Introduction to Sales: Principles and Strategies
• ACE 221: Negotiation
• ACE 240: Personal Financial Planning
• ACE 241: Advanced Personal Finance
• ACE 242: Women, Money, and Power
• ACE 243: Money and Happiness
• ACE 270: Consumer Economics
• ACE 335: Food Marketing and Behavior
• ACE 345: Small Business Finance
• ACE 360: Spreadsheet Models and Applications
• ACE 430: Food Marketing
• ACE 474: Economics of Consumption
• ACE 476: Behavioral Economics and Financial Decision Making

Complementary Disciplines

Consider taking courses, minors, dual degrees, or certificates within these areas to complement your degree:

Business, Anthropology, Civic Leadership, Communication, Data Science, Global Labor Studies, Informatics, Leadership Studies, Psychology, Public Relations, Sociology

Protecting environmental quality, stewarding natural resources, and adapting to and mitigating climate change are some of society’s ongoing grand challenges. Environmental and resource economics in ACE yields knowledge about issues such as how to manage natural resources, design conservation strategies, assess the impact of climate change, and develop energy, transportation, and waste reduction policies that improve society and the environment. Research and outreach in this area also contribute to a fundamental understanding of how to value ecosystem services and design pollution reduction regulations and policies.

Sample job titles

Consultant, Field Supervisor, Strategic Planner, Research Technician, Legislative Assistant, Energy and Utilities Consultant, Security and Compliance, Municipal Administrator, Arborist, Environmental Policy Analyst, Park Ranger, Economic Research Service, Conservation Economist, Policy Organizer, Renewable Energy Analyst, Land Planner

• ACE 210: Environmental Economics and Policy
• ACE 255: Economics of Food and Environmental Justice
• ACE 280: Experiencing Agritourism
• ACE 292: Farm, Food and Environmental Policy
• ACE 310: Natural Resource Economics
• ACE 406: Environmental Law
• ACE 408: Environmental Valuation
• ACE 410: Energy Economics and Policy
• ACE 411: Environment and Development
• ACE 417: Climate Change Economics and Policy

Complementary disciplines 

Consider taking courses, minors, dual degrees, or certificates within these areas to complement your degree:

Civic Leadership, Crop and Soil Management, Data Science, Earth Society and Environment, Ecology and Conservation Biology, Food and Environmental Systems, Geography and GIS, Horticulture, Informatics, Landscape Studies, Natural Resource Conservation, Political and Civic Leadereship, Spatial and Quantitative Methods in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, Sustainability Energy and Environment Fellows Program, Urban Studies and Planning, Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation

Producers, consumers, and other businesses along the food and agricultural supply chain face complex challenges as they grapple with an ever-changing economic environment. ACE is the national leader in commodity price analysis and has the nation’s largest concentration of faculty engaged in analysis, research, and teaching on grain markets. Focusing primarily on the exchange of materials or financial instruments, courses in this area will support students’ understanding of supply and demand and price determination.

Sample job titles

Sales Agent, District Manager, Underwriter, Strategy Analyst, Accounts Manager, Accountant, Manufacturing and Distribution Representative, Grain Merchandiser, Client Sales Representative, Business Analyst, Banking Analyst, Real Estate Development Manager, Derivatives Broker, Pricing Analyst, Financial Services Professional

• ACE 220: Introduction to Sales: Principles and Strategies
• ACE 222: Agricultural Marketing
• ACE 231: Farm Management
• ACE 345: Small Business Finance
• ACE 346: Tax Policy and Financial Planning
• ACE 427: Commodity Price Analysis
• ACE 428: Commodity Futures and Options
• ACE 432: Advanced Farm Management
• ACE 444: Financial Services and Investment Planning
• ACE 446: Modeling Applications in Financial Planning
• FIN 221: Corporate Finance
• FIN 300: Financial Markets (special approval required: contact aceundergrad@illinois.edu for more information)

Complementary Disciplines

Consider taking courses, minors, dual degrees, or certificates within these areas to complement your degree:

Business, AXIS Risk Management Academy, iVenture Accelerator Program Fellowship, Real Estate Finance Academy, Investment Banking Academy, Investment Management Academy, Data Science, Economics, Food and Agribusiness Management, Leadership Studies, Statistics

Study the role of government in economic development, poverty, marketing, international trade, and agriculture. This area emphasizes applied microeconomics in analyzing impacts of a wide range of public policies and programs in developing and developed economies. Students and faculty also study the role of interest groups in the development of policies.

Sample job titles

Consultant, Sustainability Trainee, Legal Assistant, Law Clerk, Analyst, Legislative Staff Intern, District Director, Staff Assistant, Global Program Coordinator, Administrative Assistant, Logistics, Quality Assurance Manager

• ACE 251: The World Food Economy
• ACE 254: Economic Systems in Africa
• ACE 255: Economics of Food and Environmental Justice
• ACE 306: Food Law
• ACE 410: Energy Economics and Policy
• ACE 411: Environment and Development
• ACE 417: Climate Change Economics and Policy
• ACE 435: Global Agribusiness Management
• ACE 436: International Business Immersion Program
• ACE 451: Agriculture in International Development
• ACE 455: International Trade in Food and Agriculture

Complementary Disciplines

Consider taking courses, minors, dual degrees, or certificates within these areas to complement your degree:

Business Minor, African Studies, Civic Leadership, Data Science, Global Studies, Global Labor Studies, Global Markets and Society, Interdisciplinary Minor in Latin American Studies, Interdisciplinary Minor in South Asian Studies, Interdisciplinary Minor in the Study of the Islamic World, International Development Economics, International Minor in Agricultural Consumer and Environmental Sciences, Legal Studies, Political Science, Political and Civic Leadership, Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, Languages Other Than English

Learn management skills for businesses large and small, meeting with industry leaders and participating in many hands-on opportunities. Explore how individuals and teams work together to make decisions and organize priorities through experiential learning and collaborative projects.

Sample job titles

Operations Leadership Development Program Superintendent, District Manager, Associate Account Executive, Operations Management Associate, Grain Leadership, Talent Acquisition Partner, Team Leader, Territory Manager, Management Trainee, Department Supervisor, Commercial Recruiter, Farm Manager, Business Owner

• ACE 231: Food and Agribusiness Management
• ACE 232: Farm Management
• ACE 242: Women, Money, and Power
• ACE 280: Experiencing Agritourism
• ACE 407: Business and Industry Data Analysis
• ACE 431: Agri-food Strategic Management
• ACE 432: Advanced Farm Management
• ACE 435: Global Agribusiness Management

Complementary Disciplines

Consider taking courses, minors, dual degrees, or certificates within these areas to complement your degree): Investment Management Academy, Business, Civic Leadership, Communication, Crop and Soil Management, Data Science, Food and Agribusiness Management, Global Labor Studies, Hospitality Management, Informatics, Leadership Studies, Political and Civic Leadership, Public Relations

Study principles of personal financial planning and master core financial planning topic areas such as investments, tax, retirement, estate planning, higher education planning, general cash flow principles, and risk management. Learn the domains, process and ethical standards you need to become a financial planning professional.

Sample job titles

Financial Advisor, Wealth Advisor, Wealth Manager, Investment Advisor, Client Support Specialist, Manager, Insurance Agent, Financial Analyst, Operations Manager, Markets Analyst, Credit Analyst, Financial Services Representative, Executive Financial Counseling Associate, Program Coordinator, Bank Teller, Investment Operations Coordinator, Quantitative Research Analyst, Sales Associate, Trade Analyst, Business Processes Consultant, Appraiser, Bank Examiner, Business Development Coordinator

• ACE 240: Personal Financial Planning
• ACE 241: Advanced Personal Finance
• ACE 242: Women, Money, and Power
• ACE 243: Money and Happiness
• ACE 344: FinTech in Personal Finance and Financial Planning
• ACE 346: Tax Policy and Financial Planning
• ACE 349: Risk Management and Financial Planning Across the Life Cycle
• ACE 440: Financial Planning for Professionals
• ACE 441: FINRA Professional Exam Review
• ACE 444: Financial Services and Investment Planning
• ACE 445: Intermediate Financial and Estate Planning
• ACE 449: Retirement and Benefit Planning

Complementary Disciplines 

Consider taking courses, minors, dual degrees, or certificates within these areas to complement your degree:

Business, AXIS Risk Management Academy, iVenture Accelerator Program Fellowship, Real Estate Finance Academy, Investment Banking Academy, Investment Management Academy, Data Science, Advertising, Communication, Informatics, Psychology

Research and outreach in agricultural, environmental, and food policy and law focus on critical issues that have a significant impact in the United States, the European Union, and other regions of the world. These include federal farm programs, land use, conservation and environmental protection, regulation of biofuels and new technologies, marketing of agricultural products, food safety and labeling, nutrition and obesity, and many other critical subjects.

Sample job titles

Legal Assistant, Consultant, Law Clerk, Legislative Assistant, County Program Technician, Staff Assistant, Analyst, Municipal Administrator, Conservation Planner, Strategic Planner, Security and Compliance Intern, Energy and Utilities Consultant

• ACE 203: Introduction to Public Policy
• ACE 210: Environmental Economics and Policy
• ACE 280: Experiencing Agritourism
• ACE 291: Ag Policy and Leadership
• ACE 292: Farm, Food and Environmental Policy
• ACE 306: Food Law
• ACE 310: Natural Resource Economics
• ACE 403: Agricultural Law
• ACE 406: Environmental Law
• ACE 410: Energy Economics and Policy
• ACE 411: Environment and Development
• ACE 417: Climate Change Economics and Policy
• ACE 430: Corporate Food Marketing
• ACE 455: International Trade in Food and Agriculture
• ACE 456: Agricultural and Food Policies

Complementary disciplines

Consider taking courses, minors, dual degrees, or certificates within these areas to complement your degree): Political Science, Anthropology, Sociology, Civic Leadership, Criminology Law and Society, Global Labor Studies, Global Markets and Society, History, Leadership Studies Legal Studies, Political and Civic Leadership, Public Health, Public Relations, Urban Studies and Planning

Gain an understanding of customer behaviors, sales strategies, and positioning products in the market. Learn more about how consumers use information in economic decisions, how effective policies are changing consumer behavior and improving consumer welfare, and a range of issues related to decision making and food supply chains.

Sample job titles

Valuation Associate, Client Relationship Manager, Sales Representative, Marketing Associate, Real Estate Agent, Insurance Broker, Account Manager, Client Solutions Executive, Consultant, Supply Chain Analyst, Digital Consulting Analyst, Brand Sales Specialist, Risk Analyst

• ACE 220: Introduction to Sales: Principles and Strategies
• ACE 221: Negotiation
• ACE 231: Food and Agribusiness Management
• ACE 280: Experiencing Agritourism
• ACE 335: Food Marketing and Behavior
• ACE 398 AE: National Agri-Marketing Association
• ACE 430: Corporate Food Marketing
• ACE 431: Agri-food Strategic Management

Complementary disciplines 

Consider taking courses, minors, dual degrees, or certificates within these areas to complement your degree:

Advertising, Business Minor for Non-Business Majors, Communication, Food and Agribusiness Management, Food and Environmental Systems, Global Markets and Society, Informatics, Journalism, Leadership Studies, Media, Psychology, Recreation Sport and Tourism