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Cheapest Economics Colleges in California

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

California State University-Dominguez Hills delivers the state's most affordable Economics degree at just $3,659 net price annually, nearly $8,000 less than UC San Diego's $11,750 cost. This 20-school market reveals how strategically choosing among Cal State campuses can dramatically reduce educational expenses while accessing California's $3.6 trillion economy. The state's position as home to Silicon Valley tech giants, aerospace leaders like SpaceX, and major financial centers creates abundant internship and career opportunities for economics graduates. Net prices span from under $4,000 at several Cal State locations to over $11,000 at top-tier institutions, yet even the most expensive public options remain accessible through California's solid Cal Grant system. Graduation rates vary significantly, from CSU Dominguez Hills' 46.90% to UC San Diego's impressive 87.60%, while post-graduation earnings range from $31,839 to $58,221 annually. Students can leverage California's varied economic sectors, from entertainment industry financial analysis to tech company market research, making geography a key factor in both program cost and career trajectory.
50
Programs
$3,659 – $45,409
Net Price Range
$48,388
Avg. Program Earnings
71.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Economics Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
2 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
3 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
4 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
5 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
6 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
7 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
8 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
9 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
10 $9,792 $6,817 53.5% 89.7%
11 $10,512 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
12 $10,550 $7,739 54.2% 95.2%
13 $11,276 $7,055 45.5% 96.2%
14 $11,580 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
15 $11,750 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
16 $12,136 $62,484 92.8% 3.7%
17 $12,744 $14,167 69.1% 89.5%
18 $12,840 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
19 $12,882 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
20 $13,167 $7,913 46.6% 98.2%
21 $13,707 $14,170 76.6% 68.7%
22 $13,741 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
23 $13,801 $8,190 60.5% 94.0%
24 $13,825 $14,965 85.3% 25.9%
25 $14,013 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
26 $14,838 $8,064 63.6% 95.0%
27 $14,979 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
28 $15,288 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
29 $15,624 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%
30 $16,174 $8,290 78.3% 39.3%
31 $16,607 $14,560 74.5% 46.9%
32 $18,902 $63,255 93.2% 2.7%
33 $19,424 $62,326 93.2% 7.0%
34 $22,867 $57,614 70.7% 81.9%
35 $25,926 $55,340 67.8% 93.2%
36 $26,217 $35,910 68.1% 91.9%
37 $26,433 $50,670 74.0% 87.2%
38 $26,925 $47,000 65.4% 73.5%
39 $27,384 $64,150 95.2% 10.4%
40 $28,046 $41,390 62.5% 69.0%
41 $29,871 $49,864 63.4% 75.5%
42 $31,198 $56,134 69.0% 87.9%
43 $31,265 $56,444 81.6% 52.6%
44 $31,663 $62,692 83.2% 18.4%
45 $31,927 $68,237 92.0% 12.0%
46 $32,492 $66,255 93.8% 13.4%
47 $38,802 $63,434 87.1% 27.9%
48 $39,329 $63,446 85.1% 39.4%
49 $39,495 $58,222 71.1% 71.2%
50 $45,409 $66,742 84.7% 48.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CSU Dominguez Hills the cheapest option at $3,659 net price?

CSU Dominguez Hills combines low tuition with substantial financial aid packages, resulting in the lowest net price among California's Economics programs. The campus serves a high percentage of Pell Grant recipients, which increases need-based aid availability. Despite the low cost, the program maintains an 89.13% acceptance rate, making it accessible to most applicants. The Carson location provides proximity to Los Angeles employment opportunities while keeping living costs lower than other metro areas.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs across these schools?

Higher-cost programs generally show stronger graduation rates, with UC San Diego's $11,750 net price yielding an 87.60% graduation rate compared to CSU Dominguez Hills' 46.90% rate at $3,659. CSU Long Beach and CSU Fullerton both exceed 69% graduation rates while maintaining net prices under $9,000. However, some mid-priced options like CSU Stanislaus achieve solid 58% graduation rates at just $5,671 net cost. The correlation suggests that higher investment often translates to better student support services and resources.

Does the Cal Grant program significantly impact these net prices?

Cal Grant eligibility can reduce or eliminate tuition at all Cal State campuses, where in-state tuition ranges from $6,813 to $7,826 annually. Students meeting Cal Grant income requirements often see their net prices drop to just housing and living expenses. The program covers up to $5,742 for Cal State tuition and $12,570 for UC tuition in 2024. This explains why several Cal State campuses show net prices under $6,000, as many students receive full tuition coverage plus additional need-based aid.

Where do Economics graduates from these affordable programs typically find employment?

California's varied economy offers Economics graduates positions across technology, entertainment, government, and finance sectors throughout the state. Graduates earning $52,733 from CSU Fullerton and $58,221 from CSU Channel Islands often secure roles with California-based companies like Google, Disney, or state agencies. The $31,839 average at CSU Fresno reflects the Central Valley's lower cost of living and different industry mix. Los Angeles-area campuses provide access to entertainment industry financial roles, while Bay Area proximity opens doors to tech company analyst positions.

Is student debt manageable at these affordable Economics programs?

Most graduates from these affordable programs carry relatively low debt burdens, with CSU Los Angeles graduates averaging just $11,000 in debt. Cal Poly Pomona shows the lowest debt at $8,724 despite higher net costs, indicating strong financial aid packaging. CSU San Bernardino graduates carry higher debt at $17,000, but this remains below national averages. The combination of low net prices and California's strong job market helps graduates manage debt payments effectively after graduation.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.