There are a host of different finance-related degrees out there – accounting, business administration, finance, and economics are just a few of them.
What makes an economics degree stand out from the others is that it considers things like the global market, environmental challenges, income inequality, and more broad topics that affect how money in the world works.
There are many great online economics degree programs in the U.S.
So if you’re ready to dive into the world of money from more than just a business owner or worker’s standpoint, you should check out an online economics degree in California from the list below.
Featured Economics Degree Programs
There are only a few universities that offer online economics degrees in California, but there are also other universities operating nationally in the United States that provide online economics degrees for California residents to take advantage of.
1. San Jose State University
San Jose State University (SJSU) is a public university in San Jose, California that’s part of the California State University system.
Students at SJSU can earn a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in economics online as part of the university’s degree completion program. Students with at least 60 transfer credits can complete their economics degree entirely online in two years through this program.
Students in this program learn about economic theory, public policy, and more while developing thinking and technical skills that will help them thrive when working in the business and finance industries after graduation.
2. San Diego State University Global Campus
San Diego State University (SDSU) is a public research university that’s classified as a Hispanic-serving institution and is part of the California State University system. Its Global Campus offers online degrees to students across the U.S.
At SDSU, students can develop their critical thinking and communication skills while learning how to navigate today’s most pressing economic issues with an online B.A. in economics degree completion program.
Because this is an online degree completion program, it requires transfer or prior credits and can be completed in two years.
3. National University
National University is a private university in San Diego, California that offers online and on-campus programs for adult students throughout California and the United States.
National University’s Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program includes an economics concentration that students can pursue online to learn everything they need to run a business, from how to track marketing trends to the impact of financial decisions.
This online program includes courses that are four weeks long, allowing students to graduate faster than the standard four years normally required for a bachelor’s degree.
National Economics Degree Programs for California Residents
There are a few more universities in the United States that offer online economics degrees that California residents can take advantage of. Check them out below.
Colorado State University
Colorado State University (CSU) is a public research university that’s part of the Colorado State University System and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Earning a B.A. in economics from CSU means learning to complete research, interpret data, and know important business policies in order to understand how economics affects the world. Students will develop their ability to analyze complex problems from multiple angles in order to solve them – a valuable skill in any industry, especially marketing and finance.
This online is 120 credit hours and takes roughly four years to complete.
Arizona State University
Arizona State University (ASU) is a public research university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission that offers on-campus and online degree programs to U.S. students.
By pursuing a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in economics – business at ASU, online students can learn how to use mathematics and economic concepts in creating and maintaining a business that can compete in the global market. From accounting to supply chain management, you’ll know everything you need to help a business thrive after graduation.
This online program is 120 credit hours, and each of the 41 classes lasts roughly seven and a half weeks.
Oregon State University
Oregon State University (OSU) is a public research university in Corvallis, Oregon that offers over 200 undergraduate programs on both physical and e-campuses.
At OSU, students pursuing a bachelor’s economics program can learn analytical skills and the way that the market – and money in general – influences human behavior. Graduates from this program will be well-prepared for graduate work in business or careers in the private and public financial sectors.
This online program has four start dates per year to help working students balance their career and education simultaneously.
Liberty University
Liberty University is a private Christian university that’s accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and affiliated with the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia.
With a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) and data analytics – economics from Liberty University, students can learn about the global market and how it affects individual consumers and businesses while also honing important business skills like accounting and communication.
The program is offered online in eight-week terms and can be completed in 3.5 years.
Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a private Christian university in Arizona that’s accredited by the Higher Learning Commission to offer undergraduate programs online.
At GCU, students pursuing a B.S. in economics online can take seven-week courses that teach them everything from business finance and public policy to microeconomics and strategic management.
Graduates of this program will have the foundational and theoretical knowledge to predict changes in the market and economy before they even happen, putting them at the forefront of economics analysis.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus
Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) is a public research university that offers degree programs through multiple campuses in Pennsylvania and an online World Campus.
Through Penn State’s World Campus, students can pursue an online B.S. in economics that teaches them how to think critically and analytically in order to understand markets, make pricing decisions for companies, allocate resources appropriately, and solve complex economic issues.
A Bachelor of Arts in economics is also offered which includes foreign language and diversity courses to help students work in the global market after graduation.
Washington State University Global Campus
Washington State University (WSU) is a public research university that’s accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and offers online degrees through a Global Campus.
The B.S. in economic sciences offered by WSU will help students develop the critical thinking, communication, and data analytics skills required to be successful in business and finance positions while also learning how to understand the economic pressure behind decisions made by individuals and businesses.
Concentrations for this program include:
- Agribusiness
- Management
- Marketing and Analytics
- Supply Chain Management
Is an Economics Degree Worth It?
As a way to enter the finance field without limiting your knowledge and ability to work, an economics degree is more than worth the time and money it takes to earn it.
Unlike specialized degrees like accounting, an economics degree gives you a broad knowledge base that lets you work in any finance position from real estate planning to investment banking. Once you have the solid foundation that an economics degree provides, you can specialize or branch out into almost any other field.
What Jobs Can I Get With an Economics Degree?
Some of the top positions for recent economic degree graduates include:
- Actuary
- Financial Analyst
- Compensation Manager
- Business Reporter
- Economic/Business Consultant
How Long Does It Take To Earn an Economics Degree?
While some bachelor’s degree programs are accelerated, and many allow you to transfer credits that shorten the time it takes to graduate, the average time it takes to complete an online economics degree in California is still four years.
Find an Economics Degree Program in California Today
Now that you know about the different online economics degrees in California and the United States you can pursue, as well as how long it takes to complete an economics degree and what careers it can help you start, it’s time to start your economics degree today so you can be an integral part of the global market tomorrow.
