Economics, B.A.

Economics is the study of how individuals, firms and nations make choices when confronted with limited resources. At Saint Louis University, economics majors learn to apply theory and problem-solving skills while balancing public policy with the choices faced by today’s society.

My learning experiences have always been engaging and fulfilling, and there is always an abundance of opportunities to grow here at SLU. Without a doubt, the Department of Economics makes sure students graduate feeling confident, finding purpose and being real-world ready.” — Safa Siddiqui, class of 2021

Curriculum Overview

SLU students research microeconomic issues that are relevant to decision-making for individuals, private businesses and public policy, as well as macroeconomic issues, data and frameworks for examining the economies of the world and how they relate to each other. Students can explore economics from various perspectives, including money and banking, health economics, sports economics and more. 

Internships and Student Organizations

St. Louis’ metropolitan location provides many economics internship opportunities that allow students to gain career-related work experience while applying classroom learning to practice. Most internships are paid, and students may opt to complete one for academic credit. In recent years, economics students have interned with entities such as consulting firms, financial institutions, Fortune 500 companies and governmental agencies. 

The department sponsors an Economics Club for students interested in economics. This club provides a link between students and a career in economics, offering students opportunities to establish networking relationships with potential employers.

In addition, the department also hosts a chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon, the international economics honor society, which recognizes scholastic attainment and outstanding achievements in economics along with the establishment of closer ties between students and faculty in economics.

Careers

SLU's Department of Economics has an excellent record of placing graduates in graduate and professional programs, leading to high-profile jobs.

Admission Requirements

Begin Your Application

Saint Louis University also accepts the Common Application and the Coalition Application.

Freshman

All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.

To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test. 

Transfer

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED or HiSET.

Students who have attempted fewer than 24 semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must follow the above freshmen admission requirements. Students who have completed 24 or more semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must submit transcripts from all previously attended college(s).

In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the Office of Admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University. Where applicable, transfer students will be evaluated on any courses outlined in the continuation standards of their preferred major.

International Applicants

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• All academic records must include an English translation. An official course-by-course transcript evaluation may be required and accepted.

Tuition 

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

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Cost of Attendance

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
• Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

Saint Louis University makes every effort to keep our education affordable. In fiscal year 2025, 99.6% of first-time freshmen and 92% of all students received financial aid and students received more than $517 million in aid University-wide.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by Feb. 1.

For more information on scholarships and financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

1. Graduates will be able to understand essential business concepts and how the various functional areas of business are related.
2. Graduates will be able to demonstrate knowledge of ethical concepts and corporate social responsibility and be able to evaluate business problems from multiple ethical perspectives.
3. Graduates will be able to identify and structure business problems, to propose actionable solutions to business problems and, when applicable, utilize appropriate technology.
4. Graduates will be able to demonstrate effective written communication in the discipline of economics.
5. Graduates will be able to understand how cultures, politics, laws, ethics and economies influence and impact business and use tools and concepts to analyze and formulate an international business strategy.
6. Graduates will be able to engage in quantitative reasoning, specifically:
   1. Analyze and interpret empirical evidence to evaluate economic arguments
   2. Analyze and evaluate policies based on economic principles

Economic students must complete a minimum of 33 credits for the major.

Continuation Standards

Economics students must maintain a minimum 2.00 GPA in all economics courses used to fulfill major requirements.

This roadmap is just one example of a semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. There are other plans students can and do take. The plan of study for each particular student is established in consultation with each student’s academic advisor; this roadmap does not replace academic advising appointments.

Roadmap notes:

• This Roadmap assumes full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
• Courses/Milestones marked with an “!” are critical and must be completed in the semester listed in the Roadmap to ensure a timely graduation.
• Course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

*

MATH 1510 Calculus I (0,4 cr) highly recommended.

Economics underpins all social sciences. If you choose to study economics at SLU-Madrid, you'll master the economic approach to decision-making and learn how to apply them to various situations and settings.

Curriculum Overview

The core principles of economics apply to everyday events and global relations.

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Economics at both of Saint Louis University's campuses includes a curriculum of business subjects such as accounting, finance, marketing, management and international business. It's designed for business students looking for a major oriented more toward liberal arts.

The Bachelor of Arts in Economics provides rigor and analytical training in economics while allowing students to combine it with a more traditional and broad-based liberal arts background.

The curriculum completely integrated into that of the Saint Louis University-St. Louis campus. In fact, economics students are encouraged to take advantage of the seamless relationship between the degree programs at each campus by completing a semester abroad.

Faculty

The faculty at Saint Louis University-Madrid are experts in their respective fields. They are internationally recognized teachers, researchers and mentors. Learn about our faculty members, including their education, credentials, experience and contact information.

Faculty Research

The SLU-Madrid faculty maintains robust programs of research in a variety of fields. See below for more data.

Find Faculty Research Information

Find Research Resources

Fieldwork, Internships and Careers

SLU-Madrid economics students learn from leaders in the field. You'll attend guest lectures presented by experts from the European business community. You'll also visit the Spanish stock exchange, the national government's Congress of Deputies, businesses with local headquarters and media centers.

Our economics programs prepare students for careers with multinational corporations, financial institutions and government agencies. Our graduates have gone on to pursue careers in financial centers around the world, including New York City, Madrid, London and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Graduates typically find jobs in banking, consulting, insurance, real estate, brokerage firms, marketing, management, budgeting and sales. Government agencies employ economists to work in finance, labor, urban economics and international trade, among other fields. International organizations and nonprofits ― such as the Brookings Institute, the IMF and the World Bank ― seek economists to carry out research and analysis.

Admission

SLU-Madrid Application

Application Deadlines

• April 1 - Fall admission (July 1 for EU students)
• Aug. 1 - Spring admission (Nov. 1 for EU students)
• March 1 - Summer sessions (for applicants who require a student visa)
• April 1 - Summer sessions (for applicants who do not require a student visa)

Contact Us

Office of Admissions
Avenida del Valle, 34
28003 Madrid, Spain
P: (+34) 91 554 58 58
admissions-madrid@slu.edu
Office Hours: Mondays through Fridays: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (3 p.m. on Fridays from May 15 - Sept. 1) 

Tuition and Fees

SLU-Madrid is committed to providing a quality Jesuit education at an affordable price. Tuition rates at SLU-Madrid are approximately 40% lower than at comparable private universities in the U.S.

If you have questions or would like to speak with a financial aid officer, email us at financialaid-madrid@slu.edu. 

• Tuition and Fees
• Scholarships and Financial Aid

For additional information about this program, please contact econbiz@slu.edu or call 314-977-3848.

For questions about undergraduate business programs, please email slubiz@slu.edu or call 314-977-3800.