Best Economics Programs in California for 2027

Berkeley gives economics majors a choice between standard and more mathematically intensive versions of its microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics core. The mathematical versions carry additional prerequisites, making course planning especially important for students considering further study. Beyond that core, students complete five upper-division electives, with limits on how many can come from outside the economics department. The structure leaves substantial room for subject choices without treating outside coursework as a replacement for the major’s foundation.

Core Versions

Standard or math-intensive Microeconomics (100A or 101A), Macroeconomics (100B or 101B) and Econometrics (140 or 141)

Electives

Five upper-division electives, no more than two from outside the Economics Department

Math And Statistics

MATH 51 (or 16A and 16B) plus one approved statistics course such as STAT 20 or STAT 135

Program Sources: Major Requirements | UC Berkeley Economics

UCLA’s economics BA includes separate laboratory courses alongside both econometrics and Data Science for Economists. Students complete calculus, probability and statistics, and the pre-major economics sequence before formally entering the major. The current checklist also allows a limited number of approved management courses among the upper-division electives. Because statistics, econometrics, and data science follow a required sequence, planning those courses early matters as much as choosing the later subject electives.

Pre-Major Courses

Econ 1 and 2, Math 31A and 31B, Econ 11 and Econ 41, each with a C or higher

Core Laboratories

Econ 103 with 103L (econometrics) and Econ 104 with 104L (Data Science for Economists)

Electives

Six electives, up to two of them from an approved list of Management courses

Program Sources: Economics Major Checklist | UCLA EconomicsEconomics Major | UCLA Economics

UC Santa Barbara gates its economics major. To be admitted into it, students must finish Economics 1, 2 and 10A with a 2.85 UC grade-point average and no grade below a C, so those three courses decide who continues. Statistics comes from Economics 5 or PSTAT 120A, and calculus from Math 2A-B, 3A-B or 34A-B. The upper division is 40 units: intermediate micro (100B), macro (101) and econometrics (140A), then six electives drawn from a long list covering labor, health, game theory, industrial organization and more, plus one additional elective. Economics 5 and 10A must be taken at UCSB, which matters for anyone planning to transfer in.

Admission Gate

Economics 1, 2 and 10A with a 2.85 UC GPA and no grade below C

Upper-Division Core

Economics 100B, 101 and 140A, then seven further electives (40 upper-division units)

Statistics and Math

Economics 5 or PSTAT 120A, plus Math 2A-B, 3A-B or 34A-B

Program Sources: Economics Major, B.A. 2025-2026 Major Sheet | UC Santa Barbara Department of Economics

UCLA's Master of Quantitative Economics is a 48-unit program that you can finish in 9 to 18 months, which suits both full-time students and people who want to stretch the schedule. After the foundation and subject-area courses, you design your own schedule or follow a concentration in data analytics, finance, or international and monetary economics. Courses are hands-on with R, Python, SQL, Excel and financial platforms, and the menu includes machine learning and big data for economists, asset pricing and portfolio theory in practice, and cloud computing and blockchain applications. A professional development sequence runs alongside the technical work.

Length

48 units completed in 9 to 18 months

Concentrations

Data analytics, finance, or international and monetary economics

Software

R, Python, SQL and Excel alongside financial tools and platforms

Program Sources: Courses | UCLA Master in Quantitative Economics

San Diego State’s economics MA includes a graduate internship and a seminar in applied economic research. In the seminar, students develop a proposal, carry out an approved applied microeconomics project, and present their findings orally. They also choose between a thesis and comprehensive examinations in microeconomics and econometrics. Up to nine approved units can come from outside economics, with suggested subjects ranging from financial risk management to comparative public policy and Bayesian statistics.

Core Courses

18 units of core, including Microeconomic Theory, Econometrics, Statistical Tools and Applied Research in Econometrics

Capstone And Internship

Seminar in Applied Economic Research (Econ 740) plus a 3-unit Graduate Internship in Economics

Final Path

Plan A master's thesis or Plan B written comprehensive exams in microeconomics and econometrics

Program Size

33 units, with 12 units of electives and at most 9 units outside economics

Program Sources: Program Requirements | Economics | SDSUProgram Requirements | Economics | SDSU

Cal State LA's economics master's runs 30 to 31 units, with a 15-unit core that leans applied: Applied Microeconomic Analysis, Econometric Analysis, Applied Econometrics, Macroeconomics and Monetary Policy, and International Macroeconomics and Currency Crises. Students then choose an option, Financial Economics, Global Economics or Public Policy Economics, each aimed at different employers such as investment firms, multinational companies or government agencies. A culminating experience closes the degree, either a two-part thesis or a research course paired with a comprehensive exam. Applicants need a 2.75 GPA in their last sixty units, and those without a Cal State LA economics baccalaureate complete prerequisite courses selected by an advisor.

Options

Financial Economics, Global Economics or Public Policy Economics (12 units)

Culminating Experience

Thesis, or Research in Economics plus a comprehensive exam

Admission Standard

2.75 GPA in the last sixty semester units

Program Sources: Economics, M.A. | California State University, Los Angeles Catalog

Berkeley’s residential economics PhD includes economic history methods alongside microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, and econometrics in its early preparation. Students subsequently develop two fields of specialization, prepare a dissertation prospectus, and take an oral examination before candidacy. The program separates this preparation stage from the original dissertation research that follows. It requires study in residence and does not offer a remote enrollment option for the doctoral degree.

Typical Timeline

Preparation for candidacy takes two to three years, the dissertation one to two more, about five to six years in all

Fields

Examination in two self-chosen fields of specialization, then a dissertation prospectus and oral examination

Enrollment

Residential program with no remote enrollment option

Program Sources: Ph.D. in Economics | UC Berkeley EconomicsPh.D. in Economics | UC Berkeley Economics

Stanford offers doctoral fields ranging from market design and behavioral economics to environmental, resource, and energy economics. Students choose two fields after the core microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics sequences, then complete additional distribution courses outside their specializations. One quarter of teaching experience is required. Field-specific seminars and lunches accompany coursework, giving students regular settings in which to follow current research as they develop their own questions.

First-Year Core

Three-quarter sequences in microeconomics (ECON 202 to 204), macroeconomics (210 to 212) and econometrics (270 to 272)

Fields

Two major fields chosen from options such as market design, finance, labor, political economy and econometric methods with causal inference

Teaching And Residency

One quarter of teaching experience and 135 units of full-tuition residency

Program Sources: Doctoral Program | Stanford EconomicsDoctoral Program | Stanford Economics

Pasadena City College's economics transfer degree is the 60-unit AA-T built for CSU junior standing. Its calculus requirement is more flexible than most: you can meet it with Mathematical Analysis for Business, Calculus, or with the first course of the late-transcendentals calculus sequence, and micro, macro and statistics all have honors versions. The two selective picks reach wide. List A takes Calculus II, accounting, or a business computing survey, while List B opens multivariable calculus and linear algebra, which suits anyone leaning toward a quantitative economics major. Required major units run 20 to 26 before general education.

Math Requirement

Statistics plus one calculus course: Business Calculus or Calculus I (Late Transcendentals)

Selective Courses

One from List A (Calculus II, accounting, business computing) and one from List B (multivariable calculus, linear algebra)

Honors Options

Honors versions of micro, macro, statistics, accounting and calculus courses

Program Sources: Economics: Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer | Pasadena City College Catalog

West Valley College gives its economics transfer students four-unit courses in both microeconomics and macroeconomics, and pairs them with introductory statistics and a choice of Calculus and Analytical Geometry, its honors version, or Applied Calculus. The electives are where it stands apart. List A includes C++ or Java programming and differential equations, and List B reaches into intermediate calculus, linear algebra, geography and ethnic studies. Major units total 22 to 28 inside the 60-unit CSU transfer degree.

Principles Courses

Four-unit Principles of Microeconomics and Macroeconomics, each with an honors option

Elective Range

List A includes C++ or Java programming and differential equations; List B includes intermediate calculus and linear algebra

Major Units

22 to 28 units within the 60-unit degree

Program Sources: Economics, Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer | West Valley College Catalog