Economics

B.A. or B.S.
Online You can complete all or nearly all requirements of this program online.*
delivery
$384 Based on current tuition rates. No additional charge for nonresident students. Does not include course materials and associated fees and expenses.†
per credit
4
start terms/year

Every decision — from household budgets to global trade policy — reflects the influence of economics. And understanding how people, markets and institutions respond to incentives is central to making sound financial choices. By earning your economics bachelor’s degree online from Oregon State University, you’ll develop the ability to think critically, analyze complex data and apply economic theory to everyday decision-making.

Gain the tools to interpret trends, evaluate policy and anticipate the impact of change through coursework in theory, quantitative methods and applied analysis. The knowledge you develop — logical reasoning, clear communication and data fluency — are highly valued in today’s world. You’ll graduate prepared to make informed, evidence-based contributions in a variety of professional settings.

Skills you’ll gain in OSU’s online economics degree program

As a student in Oregon State’s online economics degree program, you’ll gain the in-demand skills you need to stand out in the job market and level up your career. You’ll learn from expert Oregon State faculty who conduct economics research and have real-world industry experience.

  • Economic policy analysis
  • Cost-benefit analysis
  • Economic modeling
  • Microeconomics
  • Data analysis
  • Macroeconomics
  • Quantitative methods
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Best Online Bachelor's Programs 2025 - U.S. News & World Report

Program details

The online curriculum in OSU's economics bachelor's program will provide you with a strong foundation in quantitative analysis, oral and written communication, problem solving and research methods. You'll study micro and macroeconomic theory and learn to apply those concepts to issues in fields of economics.

The economics bachelor's program is delivered online in partnership with OSU's College of Liberal Arts.

Degree requirements

A minimum of 180 quarter credits are required to graduate with your degree in economics, including:

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Additional program features

When you pursue your economics degree online, you’ll work with your academic advisor to choose from various options that allow you to focus your studies in an area of particular interest to you.

Some degree requirements may be transferred from other institutions. Please note that a minimum of 45 credits of the last 75 credits in this degree program must be completed at Oregon State (online or on campus) to meet the academic residency requirement.

Previously earned credits must be reviewed upon admittance to OSU for appropriate articulation. Additional information about transferring credits is available through OSU’s Transfer Credit Central.

As an undergraduate degree-seeking student, you can apply to earn an honors degree online in your academic major. Earning this prestigious degree gives you the opportunity to collaborate with faculty on research, complete a comprehensive thesis experience and engage in co-curricular activities.

Get a jump-start on your Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree while working toward your bachelor’s degree in economics. Through Oregon State’s Accelerated Master’s Platform, current undergraduate students can take graduate-level courses online that will be applied to their bachelor’s degree.

The credits you earn will be transferred to the Master of Public Policy (MPP) program. Students enrolled in Oregon State’s online graduate courses will pay the graduate tuition and fees rate.

You can gain highly specialized skills that are in demand by employers — and do it with less of a time and financial commitment — when you earn a certificate or microcredential online with Oregon State. Choose from a large collection of short-form offerings that can help you upskill quickly.

Careers in economics

The knowledge you acquire in Oregon State’s online economics degree program will help you fill in-demand jobs in the global marketplace. As a leader in this area, you’ll enter the workforce ready to provide insights in public and private sectors that need economics experts.

Job market outlook

Use the interactive tool on this page to discover employment trends, top occupations and salary details for professionals who have skills related to economics. Please be aware that completing a program related to the job market information shown here does not guarantee employment or a specific salary.