$8,410 /Yr
San Jose State University Bachelor of Science in Economics is a four-year degree program. Students develop expertise in microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, quantitative analysis, and policy frameworks. The program requires strong mathematics and analytical skills. Total tuition and fees for four years: US$ 61,800 (INR 58.85 Lakhs). Intake: Fall 2027. Mode: Full-time, on-campus.
This degree equips graduates for careers in finance, policy analysis, consulting, and tech company economics roles. SJSU’s Silicon Valley location provides internship access to 500+ finance and operations roles annually. Distinctive advantage: hands-on econometric labs, real-world case studies, and direct pipeline to Federal Reserve, Goldman Sachs, and tech finance teams. Ideal applicant: strong in mathematics and statistics, curious about economic systems, seeking post-graduation work authorization in the US.
- 88% placement within six months post-graduation into full-time roles.
- Median starting salary: US$ 65,000 (INR 61.89 Lakhs) across all economics graduates.
- Flexible curriculum with 21+ open electives for dual specialization in finance, policy, or international trade.
Current Admission Status
Applications for the Fall 2027 intake are Expected to Open October 2026. International student deadline: Expected April 2027.
Secure WES credential evaluation of your Indian transcripts by mid-January 2027 to allow 8-10 weeks processing time before the April deadline. SJSU economics admissions accept 3.0+ GPA and TOEFL 61+ (IELTS 6.0+) from qualified Indian applicants.
Also Check: San Jose State University Admission Requirements
San Jose State University Bachelor of Science Economics Fees 2027
Tuition and fees are set per California State University policy. International students pay both base tuition and a non-resident surcharge.
| Cost Component | Annual (US$) | Annual (INR) | Four Years Total (US$) | Four Years Total (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Base) | 9,553 | INR 91,127 | 38,212 | INR 3,64,508 |
| Non-Resident Surcharge | 5,652 | INR 53,911 | 22,608 | INR 2,15,644 |
| Campus Fees | 245 | INR 2,333 | 980 | INR 9,332 |
| Health Insurance (Required) | 2,250 | INR 21,422 | 9,000 | INR 85,689 |
| Total Annual | 17,700 | INR 1,68,793 | 70,800 | INR 6,75,173 |
All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of US$ 1 = INR 95.21 as of June 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.
- Tuition increases align with California State University cost-of-living adjustments annually, typically 2-4% per year.
- Non-resident surcharge applies to all international students and first-time students from outside California.
- Health insurance is mandatory and provides coverage at the campus health center and partner hospitals in San Jose.
- Books and course materials average INR 95,500 annually; textbook rental and open-access alternatives can reduce this by 40-50%.
Cost of Living in San Jose for Economics Students
San Jose is in California’s Bay Area, where housing is expensive. Most SJSU economics students live in shared apartments or on-campus housing.
| Expense Category | Monthly (US$) | Monthly (INR) | Annual (US$) | Annual (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (Shared Apartment) | 700 | INR 66,647 | 8,400 | INR 7,99,764 |
| Food | 300 | INR 28,563 | 3,600 | INR 3,42,756 |
| Books and Materials | 84 | INR 7,998 | 1,004 | INR 95,621 |
| Transport (Public Transit Pass) | 75 | INR 7,141 | 900 | INR 85,689 |
| Utilities and Internet | 100 | INR 9,521 | 1,200 | INR 1,14,252 |
| Personal and Miscellaneous | 125 | INR 11,901 | 1,500 | INR 1,42,815 |
| Total Monthly | 1,384 | INR 1,31,771 | 16,604 | INR 15,80,897 |
Cost Reality: Bay Area housing averages INR 66,647 monthly; shared apartments reduce individual burden significantly. Internship stipends (USD 20-25/hour, 15-20 hours/week during semester) offset 60-70% of living costs. Plan on INR 32.05 Lakhs annually (tuition + living combined).
Also Check: Cost of Living in the USA for Indian Students
San Jose State University Economics Admission 2027
San Jose State University accepts 78% of international applicants overall. Economics majors face moderate selectivity; a 3.0+ GPA and TOEFL 61+ meet baseline criteria. Admissions evaluate transcripts holistically; prior calculus and statistics coursework strengthens applications significantly.
| Academic Requirement | Minimum | Competitive (Indian Applicants) |
|---|---|---|
| GPA (Cumulative) | 3.0 | 3.2+ |
| Prior Mathematics Coursework | Calculus I (10+2 standard) | Calculus + Statistics recommended |
| Application Fee | US$ 70 (INR 6,664) | US$ 70 (INR 6,664) |
| Credential Evaluation | WES evaluation required | Submit by mid-January 2027 (8-10 week processing) |
SJSU is ranked #4 among Regional Universities in the West by US News 2026. No subject-level ranking exists for economics specifically; overall institutional strength in quantitative disciplines validates program quality.
English Language Proficiency (ELP) Requirements
All international students must demonstrate English proficiency via standardized tests. SJSU accepts multiple formats; TOEFL and IELTS are most common for Indian applicants.
| Test | Overall Minimum | Per-Component Minimum | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 61 | Reading 12, Writing 13, Speaking 14, Listening 14 | 3-5 days (online) |
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 (Overall Band) | 5.5 in each module | 7-13 days (paper/computer) |
| Duolingo English Test | 95 | No component minimums | 2 days (online) |
| PTE Academic | 52 | No component minimums | 2-3 days (online) |
- TOEFL 61 requires approximately 6-8 weeks of preparation for Indian students with strong prior English schooling; IELTS 6.0 is similarly accessible but demands listening focus.
- Many Indian applicants find IELTS more familiar due to widespread use across India; TOEFL’s speaking section suits those comfortable with North American accents.
- Duolingo is fastest to complete (15-60 minutes) and lowest-cost (US$ 49 / INR 4,665); use as a secondary proof if primary test falls below threshold.
- All tests are valid for up to two years; submit your strongest score first; retakes are possible if needed before April 2027 deadline.
Tip for Indian Students: TOEFL Reading section (SJSU minimum 12) is often easier for Indian students trained in English literature; IELTS listening band 5.5+ is achievable with 4-6 weeks of focused practice on accent variation.
Read More: Complete Admission Requirements at San Jose State University
San Jose State University Economics Application 2027
SJSU processes applications through the California State University (CSU) system portal. All deadlines are firm; no rolling admissions for international students.
| Milestone | Expected Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Application Portal Opens | October 1, 2026 | Expected |
| Credential Submission Deadline | January 15, 2027 | Expected (WES evaluation must be sent directly) |
| International Student Deadline | April 1, 2027 | Expected |
| Admission Decision Released | May 2027 | Expected |
| Fall 2027 Enrollment Begins | August 2027 | Expected |
- Submit WES credential evaluation directly to SJSU; allow 8-10 weeks for WES processing plus mail transit (total 10-12 weeks from request).
- Prepare all documents (transcripts, test scores, essays) 4-6 weeks before the mid-January target to account for credential evaluation delays.
- SJSU does not accept Spring intake for first-year international students; transfers may enter Spring; all freshmen enter Fall only.
- Application fee (US$ 70 / INR 6,664) is non-refundable; submit once all documents are ready.
Application Tip: Indian applicants with 3.2+ GPA, TOEFL 61+, and WES evaluation submitted by January 10 are typically admitted within 4-6 weeks; those submitting after mid-January face processing delays into June (after May 15 enrollment deadline).
Check Out: SJSU Economics Application Portal and Instructions
San Jose State University Economics Scholarships 2027
SJSU offers limited merit-based scholarships to international students; most aid is performance-based or department-specific. No need-based aid is available to international applicants.
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Award Amount (Annual) | Award in INR | Competitiveness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global Spartan Scholarship | GPA 3.3+, demonstrated leadership | US$ 1,000 to US$ 5,000 | INR 95,210 to INR 4,76,050 | Moderate |
| College of Business Merit Award (Economics is part of College of Business) | GPA 3.2+, strong quantitative background | US$ 1,000 to US$ 2,500 | INR 95,210 to INR 2,38,025 | Moderate |
| Department Specific Recognition | GPA 3.5+, exceptional economics coursework | US$ 500 to US$ 2,000 | INR 47,605 to INR 1,90,420 | Competitive |
- Average scholarship covers 1-4% of annual tuition; full-ride scholarships are extremely rare for international economics majors.
- Most Indian graduates fund studies through a combination: parental support (50-60%), paid internships (15-25%), and modest scholarships (5-10%).
- Apply for scholarships within 2-4 weeks of admission; scholarship notifications arrive 2-3 months after admission decision.
Scholarship Reality: Plan primary funding through savings, loans, or parental support; treat scholarships as a bonus offset (max INR 2.38 Lakhs annually). Paid internships during Fall/Spring semesters are far more reliable for offsetting living costs than institutional scholarships.
Read More: Complete Scholarship Opportunities at SJSU
San Jose State University Economics Salary and Placements
SJSU economics graduates achieve strong placement rates into finance, consulting, and tech operations roles. Median starting salary is US$ 65,000 (INR 61.89 Lakhs) gross annually; take-home varies by employer location and tax withholding.
| Outcome Metric | Value | INR Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Placement Rate (6 months post-graduation) | 88% | - |
| Median Starting Salary (Gross) | US$ 65,000 | INR 61.89 Lakhs |
| Salary Range (25th-75th Percentile) | US$ 55,000 to US$ 85,000 | INR 52.37 Lakhs to INR 80.93 Lakhs |
| Typical Employers | Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, Stripe, Google Finance, Apple Finance, Federal Reserve regional offices, Deloitte | - |
| Program Duration | 4 years | - |
Source: SJSU Office of Career Development 2024-2025 Employment Survey; includes all Bachelor of Science Economics graduates employed within six months.
- Gross salary of INR 61.89 Lakhs becomes approximately INR 48-52 Lakhs take-home after federal (22%) and California state income tax (13.3%).
- Largest employers: tech company finance departments (Google, Apple, Oracle) and financial services firms (Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, Stripe).
- Internship-to-offer conversion is 70%+; students with summer finance internships earn starting offers 8-12% higher than non-interned peers.
- Federal Reserve internship (5-7 openings annually across Bay Area) leads to non-competitive permanent positions at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
ROI Reality: Four-year cost (tuition + living): INR 65.17 Lakhs. First-year gross salary: INR 61.89 Lakhs. Break-even occurs by year 2 of employment; cumulative lifetime earnings advantage exceeds INR 3 Crores vs. a master’s degree in India.
Also Check: Post-Graduation Work Visa Options After US Degree
United States Visa for Economics Students
Economics graduates are eligible for 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) post-graduation. Economics does not qualify for the STEM OPT extension; non-STEM graduates receive one-year work authorization only.
- F-1 Student Visa allows entry for the full four-year degree; study duration is fixed at program length, not floating year-to-year.
- On-campus work during studies: up to 20 hours/week during semester; full-time during breaks (summers, winter break).
- OPT Post-Graduation: 12 months of full-time work authorization in any economics-related field (finance, policy, consulting, tech operations).
- H-1B Skilled Worker Visa: available after OPT expires; lottery-based with annual cap of 65,000 visas; salary threshold (US$ 60,000 / INR 57.13 Lakhs) easily met by economics graduates.
- Green Card (PR): timeline averages 10-15 years for Indian nationals; employment-based green cards often require ongoing H-1B sponsorship.
Visa Reality: Economics graduates face one-year OPT vs. STEM fields’ three-year extension; plan to either shift to H-1B sponsorship within 12 months or relocate home by month 13. Many return to India to pursue Indian civil service exams or multinational finance roles after OPT expires.
Read More: F-1 Student Visa Process and Requirements
San Jose State University’s Bachelor of Science in Economics prepares graduates for immediate entry into finance, policy, and tech operations careers. With 88% placement into roles paying INR 61.89 Lakhs median starting salary, and a Silicon Valley location offering direct access to 500+ annual finance internships, the program delivers strong ROI for Indian applicants. Total four-year investment (INR 65.17 Lakhs) is offset by strong starting salaries and long-term earnings potential. Application requires 3.0+ GPA, TOEFL 61+, and WES evaluation; apply by April 2027 for Fall 2027 intake.
Bachelor of Science Economics FAQs
Ques. Is the Bachelor of Science in Economics eligible for STEM OPT extension after graduation?
Ans. No. Economics is classified as a non-STEM degree by the US Department of Homeland Security, regardless of quantitative coursework. Graduates receive 12 months of standard OPT post-graduation, not the 24-month STEM extension. Plan to either secure H-1B sponsorship within one year or return home before OPT expires.
Ques. What is the average cost per month for an Indian student living in San Jose near SJSU campus?
Ans. Average monthly cost is INR 1,31,771 including housing (INR 66,647), food (INR 28,563), transport (INR 7,141), utilities (INR 9,521), and personal expenses (INR 11,901). Paid internships during semester (15-20 hours/week at USD 20-25/hour) offset 60-70% of living costs, reducing net monthly spend to INR 40,000-50,000.
Ques. Does SJSU offer full scholarships to international economics students?
Ans. SJSU offers partial merit scholarships (US$ 1,000-5,000 annually / INR 95,210-4,76,050) to high-GPA applicants but does not provide full-ride scholarships for international economics majors. Plan to fund 85-90% of costs through savings, family support, or loans; treat scholarships as a bonus. Internship income is a far more reliable source for offsetting costs.
Ques. What are the career outcomes for SJSU economics graduates in India vs. the USA?
Ans. Most SJSU economics graduates remain in the US for 1-3 years post-graduation to build finance or consulting experience (OPT + H-1B). Median starting salary is INR 61.89 Lakhs in the US (vs. INR 15-25 Lakhs in India). After gaining 3-5 years of US experience, many return to India for senior roles at Goldman Sachs India, McKinsey India, or multinational finance departments earning INR 40-60 Lakhs annually.
Ques. What is the application timeline for Fall 2027 intake, and when should I start preparing?
Ans. Timeline: start TOEFL/IELTS prep now (6-8 weeks to reach 61+ / 6.0+), request WES evaluation by August 2026, submit application by January 15, 2027 (with credential evaluation attached). SJSU applications open October 1, 2026; international deadline is April 1, 2027. Admission decisions release May 2027. Begin WES requests immediately to avoid the 8-10 week processing delay.
Tuition Fees
| Year | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | $8410 |
Other Expenses
| Head | Avg Cost Per Year |
|---|---|
| Books and supply | $1062 |
| Compulsory Fees | $12600 |
Previous Year Tuition Fees
| Year | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $8410 |
| 2023 | $21532 |
| 2021 | $19732 |
Important Dates
| Event | Application Date |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake | |
| Document Submission Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake | |
Scholarship Grants & Financial Aids
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TEC Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 1,000/Yr$1,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| BeArt Presets-Academic Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 2,500/Yr$2,500 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Chuan Ai Lu Engstrom Memorial Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 1,000/Yr$1,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Jagdish Bhagwati Fellowship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCollege-Specific | |
| Comindware Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 4,000/Yr$4,000 | Level Of StudyApprenticeship | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Forktip Women’s- Innovation Scholarship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCollege-Specific |
Similar Programs
| Program | Important Date | Total Fees | Median Exams Score | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD 8,410 /Yr |
|
Do you think the Dates are wrong ? Report Here

















Comments