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Program Overview
The BA in Economics at UC San Diego offers a comprehensive foundation in how individuals, firms, and governments make decisions using economic theory, with less emphasis on advanced quantitative work than the BS track. It’s ideal for students who want strong analytical training while keeping their schedule flexible—perfect for pursuing a double major or fitting in electives outside economics.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1
You’ll begin with the fundamentals: ECON 1 (Principles of Microeconomics) and ECON 3 (Principles of Macroeconomics) introduce you to supply and demand, consumer behavior, and macroeconomic basics like GDP and inflation. Alongside these, you'll typically take Math 20A–C (single-variable calculus) to ensure you have the math tools necessary for future economic modeling.
Year 2
This year introduces core theory and data analysis: ECON 100A–B (Intermediate Microeconomics), ECON 110A–B (Intermediate Macroeconomics), and ECON 120A–C (Econometrics) develop your ability to build optimization models, understand macroeconomic phenomena, and apply regression to real-world data. These classes are where your analytical and empirical skills really take shape .
Year 3
You’ll start selecting upper-division electives from over 50 course offerings—choose areas like behavioral economics, environmental economics, labor, or development. Typical electives might include ECON 130 (Public Policy), ECON 131 (Environmental Economics), or ECON 138 (Economics of Discrimination). These classes enable analytical application to current policy questions, preparing you for specialized study.
Year 4
Fill your schedule with more upper-division ECON‑100‑199 electives to deepen your expertise. You’ll have the freedom to craft your focus—whether it’s international trade, health economics, or game theory—through varied electives and possibly independent research or capstone experiences .
Focus Areas:
Learning Outcomes: Build and solve optimization models; conduct regression analysis to infer causal effects; interpret empirical research; analyze strategic behavior using game theory; develop macroeconomic models; critically assess public policies
Professional Alignment (Accreditation):
The BA is STEM‑certified, making it eligible for OPT extensions for international students. It’s also fully recognized by UCSD’s WASC accreditation standards.
Reputation (Employability Rankings):
UC San Diego’s Economics department is consistently ranked among the top 10 in the US, including 7th in the latest U.S. News & World Report for undergraduate economics. Employers and grad schools value the department’s analytical rigor and breadth of elective offerings.
BA Economics – University of California San Diego
At UC San Diego, Economics students dive deep into practical learning through a rich blend of data analysis, real-world economic modeling, and collaboration. The program leverages cutting-edge facilities and digital tools that prepare you for careers in finance, policy, or research. You’ll get hands-on experience working with actual economic data sets, using software that professionals rely on, and engaging in projects that tackle current economic issues.
Here’s how experiential learning shapes your journey:
Access to the Social Sciences Computing Laboratory, where you use software like Stata, R, and MATLAB to analyze complex economic data.
Collaborative group projects that simulate market analysis and policy evaluation, fostering teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Opportunities for internships facilitated by the university’s connections with San Diego’s economic hubs and think tanks.
Participation in field research and data collection through faculty-led projects and partnerships.
Access to the Geisel Library’s extensive economics and social science collections for research and study.
Engagement with the Institute for Global Conflict and Cooperation (IGCC) for interdisciplinary exposure to economic policy and international trade issues.
This hands-on approach ensures that by the time you graduate, you’re not just versed in theory—you’re ready to apply economic principles in real-world settings confidently.
Graduates from UC San Diego’s BA Economics program often move into rewarding careers in financial analysis, economic consulting, public policy, and data analytics. The degree equips you with strong quantitative skills and economic theory to thrive in various sectors.
Here’s why UC San Diego sets you up for success:
Career Services & Support: The Career Center offers specialized workshops, employer networking events, and one-on-one advising to connect you with internships and full-time roles in economics-related fields.
Employment & Salary: Recent grads have reported median starting salaries around $60,000, with employment rates exceeding 85% within six months of graduation.
Industry Partnerships: UCSD maintains strong ties with San Diego’s biotech firms, financial institutions, and government agencies, creating pathways for internships and job placements.
Accreditation: The program is nationally recognized and valued by employers across industries for its rigorous curriculum.
Graduate Outcomes: Alumni thrive in roles such as economic analyst, policy advisor, market researcher, and financial consultant.
Further Academic Progression:
You can continue your studies by pursuing a master’s degree in economics, public policy, or business analytics, either at UCSD or other top graduate schools, positioning yourself for specialized research or leadership roles.
GPA 3.4 or Grade C, Essay, Transcripts, Letters of RecommendationEconomist – Analyze economic data and trends to advise government agencies private corporations or consulting firms on policy markets or business strategyInvestment Banking Analyst – Support capital raising mergers and acquisitions and financial transactions by building detailed financial models and conducting valuations at investment banksData Analyst or Data Scientist – Use programming languages like Python R and SQL and statistical techniques to analyze large datasets and provide actionable insights for business or policy decisionsActuary – Combine economics statistics and mathematics to assess and manage financial risks for insurance companies pension funds and financial service firmsManagement Consultant – Advise organizations across industries on operational efficiency market entry and strategic challenges to improve overall performanceFinancial Analyst – Evaluate company financial statements market conditions and investment opportunities to guide corporate finance portfolio management or banking decisionsPolicy Analyst – Research and assess public policies related to economics labor health or education for think tanks NGOs or government agenciesQuantitative Analyst or Econometrician – Apply advanced quantitative methods and econometric models to forecast economic outcomes and guide investment or policy decisionsCertified Public Accountant CPA – Provide auditing tax planning and financial consulting services combine economic understanding with regulatory compliance in accounting firms or corporationsEconomic Researcher – Conduct academic or applied research for universities government bodies like the Federal Reserve or Bureau of Labor Statistics or international organizationsMarketing Analyst – Analyze consumer data and market trends to optimize pricing strategies product launches and promotional campaigns for corporationsFinancial Risk Analyst – Identify and quantify financial risks in banking insurance or corporate finance to develop risk mitigation strategiesInternational Development Specialist – Work on economic development projects focused on poverty reduction trade or policy reform for international agencies like USAID or the World BankFederal Reserve Analyst or Central Banker – Support monetary policy economic research and financial regulation to promote economic stability and growth at regional Federal Reserve Banks or the Board of GovernorsEntrepreneur or Startup Founder – Leverage economic principles to build businesses especially in sectors like fintech healthtech or analytics-driven platforms
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University of California San Diego
