Best Economics Schools in California

In May 2023, California proudly showcased its thriving economy, supported by a robust workforce of 1570 economists. These skilled professionals played a crucial role in shaping the state's economic policies, analyzing market trends, and providing valuable insights to both the public and private sectors. With an average salary of approximately $134,000, these professionals enjoyed a comfortable standard of living and were rewarded for their expertise and contributions to the state's economy.

Cost of Studying Economics in California

The annual tuition fees for undergraduate programs can range from $8,000 to $70,000 for in-state and out-of-state students. Meanwhile, postgraduate students may expect to pay a yearly tuition fee ranging from $9,500 to $45,000, regardless of residency status.

10 Best Economics Schools in California

Location

Institution	In-state Tuition Fees		Out-of-state Tuition Fees
Stanford University	UG-$21,000 quarterly	G-$13,000 quarterly	UG-$21,000 quarterly	G-$13,000 quarterly
University of California, Berkeley	UG-$6,300 per semester	G-$6,200 per semester	UG-$6,300 per semester	G-$6,200 per semester
University of California Los Angeles	UG-$16,000 annually	G-$19,000 annually	UG-$50,000 annually	G-$34,000 annually
University of Southern California	UG-$70,000 annually	G-$47,000 annually	UG-$70,000 annually	G-$47,000 annually
University of California San Diego	UG-$13,000 annually	G-$4,200 per semester	UG-$28,000 annually	G-$11,000 per semester
University of California Santa Barbara	UG-$15,000 annually	G-$16,000 annually	UG-$45,000 annually	G-$31,000 annually
University of California Irvine	UG-$18,000 annually	G-$20,000 annually	UG-$50,000 annually	G-$35,000 annually
University of California Santa Cruz	UG-$16,000 annually	G-$15,000 annually	UG-$33,000 annually	G-$15,000 annually
University of California Riverside	UG-$4,600 quarterly	G-$4,500 quarterly	UG-$16,000 quarterly	G-$10,000 quarterly
San Jose State University	UG-$8,000 annually	G-$9,500 annually	UG-$8,000 + (400 per unit)	G-$9,500 + (400 per unit)

Stanford University

Stanford University, a private institution, comprises seven schools offering approximately 250 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The university provides its students with an average scholarship or stipend of around $86,000. The School of Humanities and Sciences at Stanford University offers a range of academic programs, including BA, MA, Joint J.D./M.A., J.D./Ph.D., Ph.D./M.P.P. with the Public Policy program, and a Ph.D. minor for students enrolled in Ph.D. programs other than Economics.

University of California - Berkeley

The University of California, Berkeley, is the state's first land-grant public research university. It has a student-to-faculty ratio of 19.4:1 and boasts several Nobel Prizes held by current faculty members. The average unweighted high school GPA of freshmen in 2023 is 3.92. UC Berkeley offers the prestigious Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship to first-year students, with a minimum award amount of $2,500. With around 180 academic departments and programs, the institution provides undergraduate and doctoral programs in Economics.

University of California - Los Angeles

UCLA, the University of California, Los Angeles, is a renowned public land-grant university. The incoming first-year students boast an impressive average GPA of 3.9, and the student-to-faculty ratio stands at 19:1. For the 2023-2024 academic year, full-time Pell Grant awards range from $767 to $7,395. Additionally, UCLA's College of Social Sciences offers a wide range of undergraduate courses, a prestigious Master of Quantitative Economics program, and a distinguished PhD program in economics.

University of Southern California

The University of Southern California, the oldest private research university in the state, is ranked 22nd out of nearly 400 public and private institutions in the United States. It is also among the top five universities in California, both public and private. In 2022-2023, the institution provided financial aid amounting to $814 million. The University's College of Letters, Arts and Sciences offers undergraduate courses and various master's programs such as Applied Economics and Econometrics, Spatial Economics and Data Analysis, Innovation Economics, Law and Regulation, International Trade Law and Economics, and a PhD program in Economics.

University of California - San Diego

UC San Diego, a prominent research university globally, is ranked among the top 20 universities. The student-to-faculty ratio at the university is 26:1. Sixteen Nobel laureates have been part of the faculty at UC San Diego. The Rady School of Management, a distinguished part of the university, is well-known for its outstanding graduate programs. Additionally, the school offers a variety of undergraduate programs, including a B.A. in Economics, a B.S. in Management Science, a B.S. in Mathematics-Economics, a B.S. in Business Economics, Joint BA/MPP, and PhD in Economics.

University of California - Santa Barbara

The University of California at Santa Barbara, part of the University of California system, is a renowned public research university. It has been privileged to have 6 Nobel Prize winners as faculty members. Offering a wide range of options, the university provides more than 200 majors, degrees, and credentials. Additionally, it houses 24 research centers and academic initiatives, contributing to its vibrant educational environment. Among its esteemed departments, the Department of Economics stands out as a nationally recognized research institution. It offers various programs, including Economics (BA), Economics & Accounting (BA), and a PhD in Economics.

University of California - Irvine

The University of California at Irvine, a member of the University of California System, is a public land grant university that provides a wide range of academic programs. The School of Social Sciences at the university offers three majors: Economics, Business Economics, and Quantitative Economics. Students in these majors can specialize in International Issues within Economics. Additionally, the university offers a PhD program in Economics and a 4+1 MA program in Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics. To be admitted into the Ph.D. program, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.4 in upper-division Economics courses and an overall GPA of 3.2 or higher.

University of California - Santa Cruz

The University of California at Santa Cruz, a member of the University of California System, is a public land-grant university offering 73 undergraduate majors and 43 minors, as well as 66 graduate programs. The university provides an average grant of about $21,000 to students and scholarships of up to $10,000 per year. The Department of Economics at the university consists of three primary research groups focusing on applied microeconomics and trade, macroeconomics and finance, behavioral economics, econometrics, and economic theory. The department offers various programs, including Economics B.A., Business Management Economics B.A., Global Economics B.A., Economics/Mathematics B.A., Environmental Studies/Economics B.A., M.S. in Applied Economics and Finance, and a Ph.D. in Economics.

University of California - Riverside

The University of California, Riverside, is a public land grant university that offers more than 80 majors. The university has an acceptance rate of 69%. The Department of Economics at the university provides B.A. majors in economics, business economics, economics and administrative studies, economics, law, and society, along with a Ph.D. in economics. Commencing in 2025, the university will introduce an M.A. program specializing in Applied Economics, designed to prepare students for roles in the private sector, government, and international organizations.

San Jose State University

San Jose State University, established as the first public university on the West Coast, boasts extensive academic programs. With 250 diverse areas of study, students can pursue bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. The Department of Economics, within this esteemed institution, offers many options to cater to students' interests. These options include a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, an online Bachelor of Arts in Economics, a Bachelor of Science with a STEM major in Economics, a Minor in Economics, and a Master of Arts degree in Economics, with the possibility of specializing in Applied Economics.