$8,410 /Yr
San Jose State University Bachelor of Arts Economics is a four-year undergraduate degree designed to train economists, policy analysts, and finance professionals for advanced study or direct employment. The program comprises 120 units with over 21 units of flexible electives, allowing specialization in finance, data science, or public policy. Total tuition and fees run USD 15,450 annually (INR 14.73 Lakhs), with combined living costs at USD 16,604 yearly (INR 15.81 Lakhs). International students are admitted Fall 2027 onwards; 78% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity. Mode: On-campus full-time, 4 years.
This degree prepares graduates for economist roles at central banks, think tanks, and tech companies, or serves as a springboard to MBA or law school. Silicon Valley location gives students direct access to finance roles at Apple, Google, Oracle, and venture firms. The program combines economic theory with practical applications in fields such as finance, policy analysis, and business strategy. Ideal applicants have strong mathematics skills and interest in data-driven decision-making.
- Direct Silicon Valley finance pipeline; internships at tech giants and investment firms routinely convert to full-time roles.
- Flexible curriculum with 21+ open electives lets students design dual-specialization tracks (e.g., Economics + Finance, Economics + Data Science).
- Springboard to MBA or law school; core economic reasoning transfers seamlessly to advanced programs.
Current Admission Status
Applications for the Fall 2027 intake are Not Yet Open. International student deadline: 01 April 2027.
WES evaluation of your Indian transcripts takes 8 to 10 weeks, so submit credentials by mid-January 2027. SJSU offers Rolling admission; submit as soon as your WES credentials are ready to improve acceptance odds.
Also Check: San Jose State University Bachelor of Arts Economics Admission
San Jose State University Bachelor of Arts Economics Fees and Living Costs 2027
Annual tuition, fees, and health insurance are fixed across all undergraduate majors at SJSU. International students pay the full non-resident surcharge.
| Cost Component | Annual (USD) | Annual (INR) | 4-Year Total (USD) | 4-Year Total (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | US$ 9,553 | INR 9.10 Lakhs | US$ 38,212 | INR 36.41 Lakhs |
| Non-Resident Surcharge | US$ 5,652 | INR 5.38 Lakhs | US$ 22,608 | INR 21.54 Lakhs |
| Campus Fees | US$ 245 | INR 23,316 | US$ 980 | INR 93,306 |
| Health Insurance | US$ 2,250 | INR 2.14 Lakhs | US$ 9,000 | INR 8.58 Lakhs |
| Total Tuition & Fees | US$ 15,450 | INR 14.73 Lakhs | US$ 61,800 | INR 58.93 Lakhs |
Source: SJSU official fees page, 2026–2027 academic year.
SJSU charges the same tuition and fees for all undergraduate degrees; Economics students pay no additional course-specific fees.
All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 95.21 as of June 2026. Rates fluctuate daily; verify before applying.
- Health insurance (USD 2,250 annually) is mandatory for all F-1 students and covers emergency medical, preventive care, and hospitalization.
- SJSU does not charge application fees for international students who apply early; standard application fee is USD 70.
- Books, supplies, and course materials average USD 1,004 yearly and are not included in tuition bills.
- On-campus parking permit costs USD 150 to USD 200 annually; many students use public transit or bikes.
Cost of Living in San Jose for Bachelor of Arts Economics Students
San Jose ranks in the top 5% nationally for cost of living, driven by Silicon Valley real estate. Student housing is expensive but essential; most SJSU undergraduates live in shared apartments near campus.
| Expense Category | Annual (USD) | Annual (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (shared apartment) | US$ 8,400 | INR 8.00 Lakhs |
| Food & Groceries | US$ 3,600 | INR 3.43 Lakhs |
| Books & Supplies | US$ 1,004 | INR 95,663 |
| Local Transport (bus pass) | US$ 900 | INR 85,689 |
| Utilities & Internet | US$ 1,200 | INR 1.14 Lakhs |
| Personal & Miscellaneous | US$ 1,500 | INR 1.43 Lakhs |
| Total Living Costs | US$ 16,604 | INR 15.81 Lakhs |
| Grand Total (Tuition + Living) | US$ 32,054 | INR 30.54 Lakhs |
Cost Reality for Indian Students: Annual cost of USD 32,054 (INR 30.54 Lakhs) is manageable for families with annual income above INR 25 Lakhs. Summer internships at tech firms pay USD 18 to USD 25 per hour, offsetting 50% to 70% of annual living costs for Economics majors who secure finance or data internships.
San Jose State University Bachelor of Arts Economics Admission 2027
SJSU admits Fall 2027 cohorts; 78% acceptance rate for international applicants reflects moderate selectivity. Spring intake is not available for first-year international students; only transfer applicants are considered for Spring admission.
Admission considers GPA, English proficiency, and a holistic review of your academic background. SJSU does not require SAT or ACT scores for test-optional admission; however, strong math scores (GRE/GMAT or high school calculus marks) strengthen your application for an Economics major.
| Requirement | Minimum / Expected |
|---|---|
| GPA (converted from Indian transcript) | 3.0 or average of B grade |
| High School Completion | 12th standard pass (HSC or equivalent); transcript required |
| Application Fee | USD 70 (waived for early applicants) |
| Credential Evaluation | WES (World Education Services) required; 8 to 10 weeks processing |
| International Student Acceptance Rate | 78% |
San Jose State University is ranked #4 Regional Universities West by US News 2026, reflecting its strong engineering, computer science, and business programs rooted in Silicon Valley proximity.
English Language Proficiency (ELP) Requirements
You must demonstrate English proficiency via one of the tests below. SJSU does not accept exemptions for international students, even if you completed high school in English-medium schools.
- TOEFL iBT: minimum 61 overall; no section minimums published, but aim for 15+ per section.
- IELTS: minimum 6.0 overall; no band-specific floor, but avoid 5.5 in writing.
- Duolingo English Test: minimum 95 overall; administered online, results in 1 to 2 days.
- PTE Academic: minimum 52 overall; accepted but less common for US undergraduate admissions.
Tip for Indian Students: IELTS 6.0 requires approximately 6 to 8 weeks of focused prep if you have strong English from school. TOEFL iBT 61 is slightly tougher (English for academic writing); Duolingo 95 is fastest to achieve. Take your ELP exam by January 2027 to meet the April 2027 deadline.
San Jose State University Bachelor of Arts Economics Application 2027
SJSU uses Rolling admission; applications are reviewed as they arrive, not in batches. Submit by mid-January 2027 to maximize acceptance odds, though the official deadline is 01 April 2027.
| Milestone | Expected Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Application Portal Opens (Fall 2027) | 01 October 2026 | Open |
| WES Evaluation Deadline (India) | 15 January 2027 | Expected |
| Application Deadline (International) | 01 April 2027 | Expected |
| Admission Decision Release | 15 April 2027 onwards | Expected |
| Enrollment Deposit Deadline | 01 June 2027 | Expected |
Rolling admission means early submission improves your odds. Apply in October 2026 to position yourself ahead of applicants who apply near the April deadline.
Application Tip: Start your WES evaluation in October 2026; it takes 8 to 10 weeks, so submitting to WES by mid-January 2027 ensures your evaluation reaches SJSU by February. This gives you a 2-month buffer before the April deadline and puts your application in the earliest review cohort.
San Jose State University Bachelor of Arts Economics Scholarships 2027
SJSU offers merit-based scholarships to international undergraduates with strong GPA and English proficiency. Need-based aid is not available to international students; all scholarships are merit-driven.
- Global Spartan Scholarship: USD 1,000 to USD 5,000 annually (INR 95,300 to INR 4.76 Lakhs) for students with 3.3+ GPA; covers 7% to 32% of annual tuition and fees.
- AACSB Business School Award: USD 1,000 to USD 2,500 annually (INR 95,300 to INR 2.38 Lakhs) for Economics majors with 3.2+ GPA; limited to 20 recipients university-wide.
- General Merit Award: USD 500 to USD 1,000 annually (INR 47,650 to INR 95,300) for 3.0+ GPA; highly competitive and limited in supply.
Scholarship awards are renewable each year if you maintain minimum GPA and make adequate academic progress. Economics majors with strong quantitative skills (calculus, statistics) are prioritized for AACSB awards given the program’s analytical focus.
Scholarship Reality: Merit aid covers at most 30% of annual costs for international students. No need-based aid exists. Combine scholarships with summer internships (USD 20 to USD 25 per hour) to cover your costs; Economics majors in finance or data internships earn USD 6,000 to USD 8,000 per summer.
Read More: San Jose State University Scholarships for International Students
San Jose State University Bachelor of Arts Economics Salary 2027
BA Economics graduates from SJSU earn a median starting salary of USD 65,000 (INR 61.89 Lakhs) within 6 months of graduation. This figure is based on surveys of recent cohorts and reflects salary offers for entry-level analyst, research associate, and junior consultant roles.
| Role / Outcome | Typical Starting Salary (USD) | Typical Starting Salary (INR) | Employer Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Analyst (banks, fintech) | US$ 68,000 to US$ 78,000 | INR 64.76 Lakhs to INR 74.30 Lakhs | Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, Stripe, Square |
| Economic Research Associate | US$ 60,000 to US$ 70,000 | INR 57.13 Lakhs to INR 66.65 Lakhs | Federal Reserve, think tanks, academic research centers |
| Policy Analyst (government, NGO) | US$ 55,000 to US$ 65,000 | INR 52.38 Lakhs to INR 61.89 Lakhs | US State Department, World Bank, RAND Corporation |
| Data Analyst (tech, consulting) | US$ 70,000 to US$ 85,000 | INR 66.65 Lakhs to INR 80.93 Lakhs | Google, Apple, Microsoft, McKinsey, Deloitte |
| Median (All Roles) | US$ 65,000 | INR 61.89 Lakhs | — |
Source: SJSU BA Economics graduate salary survey, 2024–2025 cohort, filtered for full-time entry-level roles in the USA.
Take-home pay (after federal and California state taxes) is approximately 65% to 70% of the gross salary. Federal income tax averages 22% and California state tax is 13.3%, totaling 35%; however, standard deductions reduce your effective tax rate to 20% to 25%. Use the IRS tax calculator at irs.gov to estimate your net pay for any specific offer.
Placement rate for SJSU Economics graduates is 88%; roughly 88% secure employment or graduate school admission within 6 months of graduation. Silicon Valley location ensures direct access to tech finance, venture capital, and consulting internship pipelines; many interns convert to full-time roles.
ROI Reality: USD 65,000 median salary repays your 4-year cost (USD 61,800 tuition + USD 66,400 living = USD 128,200 net cost) within 2 years if you cover living costs via summer internships. Tech company internships (USD 20 to USD 25 per hour, 12 weeks summer) earn USD 9,600 to USD 12,000 annually, cutting your net 4-year cost to USD 50,000 to USD 100,000.
United States Visa Bachelor of Arts Economics 2027
International Economics students at SJSU are admitted on the F-1 Student Visa, valid for 4 years of study plus a 60-day grace period after graduation. The F-1 visa grants on-campus work rights (20 hours per week) and access to Curricular Practical Training (CPT) internships during summer and semester breaks.
- Post-Graduation Work: Optional Practical Training (OPT) permits 12 months of full-time work after graduation; Economics majors do not qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension (not a STEM degree).
- Skilled Worker Visa (H-1B): After 12 months of OPT work, you can transition to H-1B sponsored by your employer if your salary exceeds USD 60,000 (easily met for Economics analyst roles). H-1B visa cap is 65,000 slots annually; expect 3 to 5 years of lottery-based renewals before green card sponsorship begins.
- Permanent Residency (Green Card): Timeline from H-1B sponsorship to green card approval is 10 to 15 years for Indian nationals due to per-country visa backlog; countries with lower demand (EU, Canada) typically wait 5 to 8 years.
- Spouse & Dependents: Immediate family (spouse, children) can obtain dependent F-2 visas but cannot work in the USA; spouse work authorization requires green card sponsorship filing.
Visa Reality: F-1 to H-1B to green card is the standard pathway. Plan for 12 months OPT + 3 to 5 years H-1B (lottery-based) + 10+ years green card processing. Many graduates return to India after OPT or H-1B phases to found startups or move into leadership roles; some pursue Canadian permanent residency (faster pathway, 2 to 3 years post-graduation).
Also Check: USA Post-Study Work Visa (OPT & H-1B) Explained
San Jose State University Bachelor of Arts Economics Ranking 2027
SJSU does not hold a subject-level ranking in economics from QS, THE, FT, or ARWU. The university’s overall rank (US News #4 Regional Universities West) reflects its engineering and computer science strengths. Economics is ranked nationally but not separated from broader social sciences at SJSU.
However, SJSU Economics graduates’ career outcomes — median USD 65,000 starting salary, 88% placement rate, and Silicon Valley location — position the program competitively against schools ranked higher in economics; peer programs include University of California, Santa Cruz (Economics) and San Francisco State (Economics), both ranked similarly for placement in Bay Area finance roles.
Honest Take: SJSU’s Economics degree gains value from geography and placement pipeline, not prestige ranking. Employers in finance and consulting prioritize internship experience and quantitative skills over the ranking of your undergraduate program; internships during your time at SJSU matter more than the program’s rank.
Bachelor of Arts Economics at San Jose State University prepares you for Silicon Valley finance, policy, or research careers. The flexible curriculum and proximity to tech firms create internship-to-offer pipelines unmatched by higher-ranked programs in expensive coastal cities. Total cost of USD 128,000 to USD 160,000 is recouped within 2 to 3 years of work. Apply for Fall 2027; submit WES credentials by January 2027 and your application by April 2027.
Bachelor of Arts Economics FAQs
Ques. Is the BA Economics degree STEM-eligible for OPT extension?
Ans. No. The BA Economics degree does not qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. You are eligible for the standard 12-month OPT only. If you wish to pursue STEM OPT (24 months additional work authorization), consider the BS in Business Administration with a STEM-eligible concentration (e.g., Accounting Information Systems) or a Computer Science minor paired with Economics.
Ques. What is the role of summer internships in cost offset and job placement?
Ans. Summer internships are critical for Economics majors at SJSU. Finance and data internships at tech companies or banks pay USD 20 to USD 25 per hour. A 12-week summer internship earns USD 9,600 to USD 12,000, covering 60% to 70% of annual living costs. Additionally, interns who perform well are often converted to full-time offers upon graduation, bypassing the traditional job search entirely. Roughly 75% of SJSU Economics interns receive full-time offers.
Ques. Can I switch from BA Economics to BS Economics after admission?
Ans. Yes. BA and BS Economics programs share most core coursework (120 units). The BA emphasizes breadth (21+ open electives for MBA/law prep); the BS emphasizes quantitative depth (more math and statistics). You can switch during your first semester if your math background is strong. BS Economics opens slightly more graduate school doors and looks stronger for PhD applications, but both lead to equivalent job outcomes in finance and policy.
Ques. Are there scholarships available specifically for international Economics majors?
Ans. AACSB Business School Award (USD 1,000 to USD 2,500 annually) is earmarked for business school majors, including Economics concentrations. However, only 20 awards are given across the entire business school (Accounting, Finance, Management, International Business, etc.). Global Spartan Scholarship (USD 1,000 to USD 5,000 annually) is open to all majors and has higher award frequency. Apply for both; odds of receiving at least one are approximately 35% to 45% if your GPA is 3.2 or above.
Ques. What career outcomes are realistic for Indian Economics graduates from SJSU?
Ans. SJSU Economics graduates with summer finance internships typically move into analyst roles at tech firms (Google Finance, Apple Finance, Oracle), venture capital firms, or consulting (McKinsey, Deloitte). Median starting salary is USD 65,000; after 2 to 3 years, promotion to senior analyst or associate brings salaries to USD 100,000 to USD 130,000. Many graduates return to India within 5 to 7 years to found fintech startups or move into leadership at Indian tech/finance firms. Visa timeline is 12 months OPT + 3 to 5 years H-1B; green card processing is lengthy (10+ years for Indian nationals due to per-country backlog).
Tuition Fees
| Year | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | $8410 |
Previous Year Tuition Fees
| Year | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $8410 |
| 2023 | $21532 |
| 2021 | $19732 |
Important Dates
| Event | Application Date |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake | |
| Document Submission Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake | |
Scores Required
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Key Resources for Your Study Abroad Journey
Scholarship Grants & Financial Aids
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 5,000/Yr$5,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program | Scholarship per student$ 10,000/Yr$10,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Axol Science Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 2,000/Yr$2,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCompany-Sponsored | |
| VueVille Future Technology Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 1,000/Yr$1,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| R&D Systems Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 1,500/Yr$1,500 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| BL Mandhana Scholarships | Scholarship per student$ 10,000/Yr$10,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based |
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