Shaikh Bin Baz rahimahullah was asked:

Question:

What is the ruling in Islam on studying interest-based economics?

Answer: 

دراسة الاقتصاد الربوي إذا كان المقصود منها معرفة أعمال الربا، وبيان حكم الله في ذلك فلا بأس، أما إن كانت الدراسة لغير ذلك فإنها لا تجوز،

If the intent of studying interest-based economics is to know the actions of interest and clarify the ruling of Allah in that, then there is no harm. If it is studied for other than that, then it is not allowed.

(Source)

Translated by

Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan