Best Economics Programs in Washington for 2027

The University of Washington offers six economics majors. The Bachelor of Science is the quantitative core, requiring deeper math and statistics so students can build strength in econometrics and advanced micro or macro. Beside it sit a BA in Economics, a BA in International Economics, and three more BS options: Economics: Data Science, Financial Economics and Economics: Strategy. The department also runs an honors program, study abroad in six countries, a mentorship program and four certificates, among them economic theory and quantitative methods and environmental and natural resource economics. Choosing among the six early shapes which math courses you take first.

Major Options

Six: BA Economics, BA International Economics, and BS in Economics, Data Science, Financial Economics and Strategy

Certificates

International economics, theory and quantitative methods, quantitative managerial economics, environmental and natural resource economics

Honors and Abroad

Departmental honors program and study abroad in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan and Thailand

Program Sources: Undergraduate Programs | Department of Economics | University of Washington

Washington State's School of Economic Sciences offers its BS and BA in Economic Sciences completely online through Global Campus. The BS is the quantitative route: intermediate microeconomic theory with calculus (ECONS 301), Introductory Econometrics (ECONS 311), and Calculus I and II, where the BA swaps in intermediate micro without calculus. Both tracks include Data Management and Visualization, Statistics for Economists, intermediate macro and an Economics Capstone, then electives drawn from money and banking, international trade, business finance, industrial organization and more. Certification into the major requires 24 credits and a 2.0 GPA, and study abroad is the one capstone-adjacent option not offered online.

BS Math and Econometrics

Calculus I and II, ECONS 301 with calculus and ECONS 311 Introductory Econometrics

Data Skills

ECONS 215 Data Management and Visualization and ECONS 310 Statistics for Economists

Delivery

Both the BS and BA are offered fully online through WSU Global Campus

Program Sources: Economics | WSU Global Campus | Washington State University

Western Washington offers economics as both a BA and a BS, and the BS is the quantitative one: 88 to 90 credits that include two quarters of calculus, probability and statistical inference, game theory, economic forecasting and two econometrics courses. Thirty-six elective credits come from upper-division economics or a Math Courses for Economists list covering linear algebra, multivariable calculus, real analysis, differential equations and mathematical statistics. The BA is shorter at 66 to 69 credits and needs only one calculus course. Both are open majors in the College of Business and Economics, so students can declare without a separate application.

BS Credit Load

88 to 90 credits, versus 66 to 69 for the BA

Math Courses for Economists

Linear algebra, multivariable calculus, analysis, differential equations and mathematical statistics count as electives

Econometrics

ECON 375 or MATH 342, plus ECON 470 Economic Fluctuations and Forecasting and ECON 475 Econometrics

Program Sources: Economics, BS | Western Washington University Catalog

Whitman's Economics-Mathematics major is a true double-discipline degree: 49 credits split between 27 in economics and 22 in mathematics. The economics side runs through intermediate micro and macro, econometrics and a capstone course, while the math side includes Mathematics 225, 240, 244, 247, 248 and 349 plus three more upper credits. Seniors face three checks: a written exam in mathematics, the Major Field Test in economics, and a combined oral exam run by the economics department. Students with a 3.500 major GPA can pursue honors through a thesis or research project, and a stand-alone economics major is available alongside it.

Credit Split

49 credits: 27 in economics and 22 in mathematics

Senior Assessment

Written math exam, Major Field Test in economics and a combined oral exam

Honors Path

Thesis or research project with a 3.500 major GPA and a grade of at least A-

Program Sources: BA.EC.MA - Economics-Mathematics (Major) | Whitman College Catalog

Central Washington runs its economics degree out of the College of Business, and the General Economics Specialization is the one meant for students who want the traditional major. The calculus ladder is spelled out from Pre-Calculus I through Calculus II, with Calculus I and II highly recommended as supporting courses. Upper-division work includes a business analytics course, an introduction to econometrics and ECON 426, Economic Research, where students apply research methods to real economic problems. The university describes the program as one of the only STEM-designated economics undergraduate programs in Washington, a detail that can matter for international students.

Specialization

General Economics, the traditional major track within the BS

Analytics and Research

BUAN 406 Business Analytics, ECON 424 Econometrics and ECON 426 Economic Research

STEM Designation

Described as one of the only STEM-designated undergraduate economics programs in Washington

Program Sources: Economics, BS: General Economics Specialization | Central Washington University

Gonzaga offers economics as both a BA and a BS, and its catalog steers anyone heading to graduate study toward the BS. That version requires three semesters of calculus, linear algebra, a statistics course, and two applied-data courses, Regression Analysis and Econometrics, on top of intermediate micro and macro. Upper-division choices include Operations Research, Probability Theory and Mathematical Statistics. The program ends with a senior comprehensive examination. Note the gate in the middle: ECON 301 and 302 each require a B- or better in the matching principles course, so strong grades in the first year decide whether the 45-hour major stays on schedule.

Math Sequence

Calculus I, II and III plus Linear Algebra and Statistics for Experimentalists

Data Courses

ECON 355 Regression Analysis and ECON 451 Econometrics

Senior Exam

ECON 499 Senior Comprehensive Examination

Program Sources: Economics | Gonzaga University Undergraduate Catalog

Puget Sound's economics degree is a Bachelor of Science, and the math expectation shows it: students must reach multivariable calculus (MATH 280) and take a statistical methods course. The nine-unit major pairs a core of ECON 101, 102, 284, 301, 302, 391 and 411 with two electives, and one of them can be a business course such as BUS 431, 432 or 435. Students who study abroad may count two approved electives toward the major. The department advises anyone considering graduate school in economics to take at least three semesters of calculus plus linear algebra, adding probability and differential equations if they can.

Math Requirement

Calculus through multivariable (MATH 280) and MATH 160 or 260 for statistics

Core and Electives

Nine units: seven required economics courses plus two electives

Study Abroad

Two approved electives from abroad may count toward the major

Program Sources: Economics (BS) | University of Puget Sound Bulletin

Eastern Washington sets a low barrier at the math entry point: students may satisfy the second introductory requirement with anything from Finite Mathematics or Precalculus to Calculus I, paired with a business, social-science or probability-based statistics course. The upper-level core holds 15 credits, led by intermediate micro and macro, and graduation requires at least a C in ECON 304 and ECON 305. Students then pick five electives, at least three in economics, with applied and mathematical options, and finish with ECON 490, a five-credit Senior Capstone. Fifteen upper-division major credits must be earned in residence at Cheney.

Entry Math

Finite Mathematics, Precalculus or Calculus I, plus a statistics course

Grade Gate

ECON 304 and ECON 305 must each be passed with a C or better

Capstone

ECON 490 Senior Capstone, five credits

Program Sources: Economics (BS) | Eastern Washington University

Washington State expects PhD students in its School of Economic Sciences to bring foundation coursework in economic theory, mathematics and quantitative methods from a master's program; anything missing is taken as remedial work that does not count toward the core. Comprehensive written examinations follow the core courses, then a written research proposal and an oral preliminary exam administered by the Graduate School. The doctoral residence requirement is three years beyond the bachelor's, at least two of them in Pullman. A PhD-bound option exists for applicants who do not have a master's in economics, and the school encourages teaching experience though it is not required.

Entry Options

Admission with a master's, or a PhD-bound option for students without a master's in economics

Exam Sequence

Comprehensive written exams, written research proposal, then an oral preliminary exam

Residence

Three years beyond the baccalaureate, at least two at Washington State

Program Sources: Graduate Programs | School of Economic Sciences | Washington State University

The University of Washington admits students only to its economics PhD, with no terminal master's, and only for autumn quarter. The first year covers three-course sequences in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, followed by core examinations scheduled one to two weeks before year two. Students then complete at least eight graduate field courses, with one advanced micro or macro course and three in applied areas, and satisfy two fields by passing exams or by combining one exam with a 3.8 average in a second field's courses. There is no foreign-language requirement, and students typically finish in five to six years.

Admission Terms

Autumn quarter only, directly into the PhD with no terminal MA

Field Requirement

Eight graduate field courses covering two fields, by exams or one exam plus a 3.8 average

Typical Length

Five to six years

Program Sources: Graduate Programs | Department of Economics | University of Washington