Economics Degree – BS/BA | University of the Pacific

Understand markets, shape policy and drive change

As you earn an economics degree at University of the Pacific, you’ll learn how to think critically about the world: how markets work, why people make certain choices and how policy shapes everything from prices to opportunity. At Pacific, your classes connect theory to real life, helping you build the skills to solve real-world problems in business, government or nonprofit work.

Whether you're interested in private industry, public service or something in between, you’ll graduate with the tools to make an impact.

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Learn beyond the classroom

You will gain real-world experience through internships with local businesses, global organizations and government agencies. You can also join Pacific Consulting, a student-run group offering pro-bono consulting to social enterprises, giving you hands-on experience that builds your skills and sets you up for career success.

Academic support

Pacific’s economics program sets you up for success with dedicated study space, accessible professors and engaging electives including environmental economics, industrial organization and international finance. You'll have the support and flexibility to shape your education from day one.

3-year option

With the right planning, you can complete your economics degree at Pacific in just three years. By taking a focused courseload, you’ll save on tuition and get a head start on launching your career or starting graduate school—one year earlier than most.

Pay and Outlook

$115 K

Median annual earnings
(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024)

Projected industry job growth through 2033
(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024)

Where Pacific’s graduates work

CALIBRE Systems
Cordes Foundation
CRC Health Group
Federal Housing Finance Agency
Five Star Bank
JP Morgan Chase & Company
Merrill Lynch
Miller Coors
Morgan University
Nathan Associates
Pacific Gas & Electric Company
Purdue University
Sapient Global Markets
The Clorox Company
VANTOM Associates
Verizon

OUT OF THE CLASSROOM

Nathan Scholars Internships

Pacific’s Nathan Scholars gain exclusive access to internships at top consulting firms. Past economics students have analyzed the Panama Canal expansion, explored trade logistics in Moldova and assessed the economic impact of women’s health in APEC nations. Alongside impactful research, Nathan Scholars also connect with the industry's vibrant network of policy experts.

Pacific Consulting

Run by students and backed by Pacific, this management consulting group gives you the chance to work on real projects for real businesses. From health care startups to impact investors and local nonprofits, Pacific Consulting has tackled 20+ projects across a wide range of industries. It’s your chance to build experience, grow your network and make a difference—before you

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INTERNSHIP DIARIES

What’s it like to intern with Accord Capital?

Economics major Haakon Mathieson interned at the private equity firm, Accord Capital, to experience working in finance. He says his Pacific coursework gives him a strong foundation and a diverse tool set. He shares his tips for making the most of a finance internship.

Learn more about Haakon’s internship

Choose your economics degree track

Customize your bachelor’s degree in economics by choosing between the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science degrees. The BS offers tracks in applied economics or mathematical economics. All your classes will emphasize real-world applications and implications of the material, always making the connection between what you learn in the classroom and what you will need to be successful in your career and as a citizen-leader.

General Catalog

This is the ideal track if you’re interested in understanding both economics and business. It includes several courses, such as accounting and business law, from Pacific’s Eberhardt School of Business.

If you’re interested in applied mathematics or preparing for graduate school in economics, this is the track for you. It will include courses from the Department of Mathematics as requirements.

The Bachelor of Arts in Economics at Pacific gives you the flexibility to shape your degree around your interests. Whether you're drawn to international economics, political economy, monetary policy or the intersection of economics and law, Pacific’s faculty advisers will help you build a plan that aligns with your academic and career goals. It’s a great choice if you’re thinking about a second major or minor in another field.

Dual-Degree Program

BS in Economics to Master of Science in Data Science

Students earn both a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in data science and are well prepared to enter the workforce in a variety of industries.

A total of eight units are double-counted toward both degrees, giving students a significant time and financial savings. During the fifth and final year, the hybrid modality allows students to work and finish the master’s program at the same time.

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Dual-Degree Program

Bachelor degree in Economics & Master of Public Policy

Pacific and McGeorge School of Law now offer an accelerated pathway to a Master in Public Policy. You will major in economics and minor in public policy to earn a bachelor degree in three-and-a-half years. If you meet GPA requirements, you are guaranteed admission to McGeorge where you can earn your master's degree in a year-and-a-half.

McGeorge was the first law school to offer a master's degree in public policy. The program offers a foundation in law and focuses on developing the quantitative analytical skills used in formulating public policy.

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