Economics, B.S.

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.

Through SLU's Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business economics curriculum, students will receive a strong foundational knowledge of economics, taking core classes in macro- and microeconomics, econometrics and business statistics.

Curriculum Overview

The Chaifetz School of Business, through its continuing mission to provide excellence in business education, has developed an economics program that is one of a kind in the region. Helping students develop strong ethical, technical and professional skills, the program provides in-depth knowledge and expertise in both macro- and microeconomics.

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 the 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 Chaifetz School also hosts a chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon, the international economics honor society, which recognizes scholastic attainment and outstanding achievements in economics, and establishes closer ties between students and faculty in economics.

Careers

The department has an excellent record of placing graduates in graduate and professional programs, leading to high-profile jobs. In a survey of the Class of 2024's economics graduates, 90% reported they were either employed or attending graduate school within six months of their graduation.  These graduates join a global network of nearly 20,000 alumni from the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business. In recent years, SLU economics students have earned internships and employment at prestigious organizations such as Anheuser Busch, Ernst & Young, Kennedy Capital Management, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, U.S. Bank and VISA. 

Possible career paths for graduates with an undergraduate degree in economics from SLU include:

• Actuary
• Applied statistician 
• Business reporter
• Data analyst
• Economist
• Financial analyst
• Loan officer
• Portfolio manager

Admission Requirements

Begin Your Application

Saint Louis University also accepts the Common 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 criterion in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.

To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, the applicant 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 graduates of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED or HiSET.

An official high school transcript and official test scores are required only of those students who have attempted fewer than 24 transferable semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit. Those having completed 24 credits or more of college credit need only submit a transcript from previously attended college(s).

Transfer students must have a cumulative 2.70 GPA to be admitted to the accounting program and a 2.50 GPA for all other majors. 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.

International Applicants

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

• You must 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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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 2023, 99% of first-time freshmen and 92% of all students received financial aid and students received more than $459 million in aid University-wide.

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

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

Accreditation

The Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the world’s largest business education alliance and accrediting body of business schools, ensuring continuous quality improvement in terms of curriculum, instructional resources, student selection, career placement and intellectual contributions and qualifications of the faculty. Approximately 5% of business schools worldwide have achieved AACSB accreditation. 

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

Eighteen credits in addition to ECON 1900 Principles of Economics (3 cr), ECON 3120 Intermediate Macroeconomics (3 cr), and ECON 3140 Intermediate Microeconomics (3 cr), which are taken as part of the business common body of knowledge requirements.

*

In addition to completing lower and upper-division coursework in all areas of business, each student typically selects a business major before or during the first semester of the junior year. 18 major-specific credit hours are required as determined by the appropriate department. To broaden their expertise, students may complete more than one major in business, or a major and a minor in business. Outside of the Business Common Body of Knowledge (CBK), however, a maximum of one business course (3 credit hours) may be used to fulfill requirements in two business majors/minors.

‡

General electives may be selected from any area of study within the University, giving the student the opportunity to diversify their experiences.  Students should consider University Undergraduate CORE attribute requirements when selecting electives.

Continuation Standards

Economics students must maintain a minimum 2.00 grade point average (GPA) in all economics courses used to fulfill major-specific course requirements.

​Students will be on program probation if their GPA in major-specific courses used to fulfill major requirements falls below a 2.00. Students will have one semester to increase their major-specific cumulative GPA to a 2.00; if not, students will not be allowed to register for 3000- or 4000-level major-specific courses.

Students will be automatically placed on University probation if any of the following occur:

• Their Saint Louis University cumulative grade point average falls below 2.00
• Their Saint Louis University semester grade point average is below a 1.00
• More than two "incomplete" or two "in-progress" grades on their academic transcript

During the probationary period, advisors help students achieve academic success by closely monitoring their academic performance.

In order to improve scholastically and demonstrate their ability to make progress toward a degree, students on probation may not register for more than 12 credits in the fall and spring semesters, three credits in the winter term, and no more than one course/four credits in any single summer session term.

The conditions under which a student is dismissed from the school include:

1. Inability to eliminate probationary status within the two semesters subsequent to the assignment of probation or
2. A grade point average deficit of more than 15 points.

For more information, see University Academic Policies and Procedures.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

¹

Must complete in first 36 credit hours at SLU.

²

Must complete in first 60 credit hours at SLU.

³

MATH 1510 Calculus I highly recommended.

⁴

Must take second semester sophomore year unless studying abroad.

⁶

Must have completed all other Business Common Body of Knowledge courses.

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 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 St. Louis campus in Missouri. 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.

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.

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

Tuition and Fees

SLU-Madrid is committed to providing a quality Jesuit education at an affordable price. Tuition rates at the Madrid campus 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

2+SLU programs provide a guided pathway for students transferring from a partner institution. 

• Economics, B.S. (Jeffco 2+SLU)
• Economics, B.S. (MAC 2+SLU)
• Economics, B.S. (STLCC 2+SLU)