The Economics Department, originally the Faculty of Economics and Trade, opened in 1954-1955 and occupied the first floor of what is now the Department of Law, Politics and International Studies in Via Università in the town centre.
In 1965 the faculty moved to its present location in Via J.F. Kennedy, a site donated by municipality. A new building with traditional features was designed by Cornelli, a civil engineer.
Numerous eminent economists have taught here, including Egidio Giannessi, Eugenio Azzini, Carlo Masini, and Giovanni Ferrero. Two further important members of staff were Professor Eugenio Levi (mathematics) and Professor Franco Feroldi (political economics).
Following the reorganisation of the university in January 2017 the Economics Department became the Department of Economics and Management.