Economics Bachelor's at Azusa Pacific: 4-Year Guide

A general economics degree does more than teach supply and demand curves. It trains you to think in systems, weigh tradeoffs, and explain why people, businesses, and governments make the choices they do. For students who want that training grounded in a faith-based campus community, the Economics, General Bachelor's degree, usually 4 years In-person at Azusa Pacific University offers a structured path in Southern California. The program blends economic theory, quantitative methods, and real-world application, and it is designed to be completed on campus in four years. If you are comparing majors, weighing cost, or wondering what an economics graduate actually does all day, this guide walks through the curriculum, admission steps, career outcomes, and how the APU experience compares with other options, including online programs you can browse by subject or state.

What the Economics, General Bachelor's Degree at APU Covers

Azusa Pacific University is a private Christian university in Azusa, California, roughly 25 miles east of Los Angeles. Its general economics major sits within the university's business and social science offerings and is built around a liberal arts core. That means you take courses in writing, theology, philosophy, and the natural sciences alongside your economics sequence. The result is a degree that prepares you for graduate study or entry-level work, but also asks you to connect economic reasoning to ethics, service, and faith.

The economics core typically includes microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, statistics, and econometrics, which is the branch of economics that uses data to test theories. You also take intermediate courses in areas such as international economics, money and banking, and development economics. Because the degree is a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science depending on your track, you usually have room for electives, a minor, or a second major. Many students pair economics with political science, mathematics, business, or data analytics to sharpen their marketability.

One feature that distinguishes a four-year in-person program from a purely online one is the pace of discussion. In a classroom at APU, you debate monetary policy with classmates, work through problem sets on the whiteboard, and build relationships with professors who write recommendations for graduate school. That face-to-face interaction matters if you want to pursue a PhD or a career in law, policy, or research. It also matters if you simply learn better in a structured environment with set class times and a campus community.

Why Study Economics at Azusa Pacific University

Choosing a major is partly about fit. Azusa Pacific's economics program appeals to students who want rigorous analysis without leaving their faith at the door. Faculty in the department often tie economic questions to questions of justice, poverty, and stewardship. You might study microfinance, labor markets, or environmental policy in a way that connects theory to real communities. For students who care about vocational calling, that integration can be the deciding factor.

Location is another advantage. The Los Angeles metro area is one of the largest economies in the world, and it hosts entertainment companies, logistics firms, banks, tech startups, and nonprofits. Internships are within driving distance, and APU's career services office helps students find placements in finance, government, and consulting. A four-year in-person format also makes it easier to hold a part-time internship during the school year, since you are already on campus and can schedule classes around work.

Class size and mentoring are worth noting too. At a mid-sized private university, economics courses are often small enough that professors know your name. That access can lead to undergraduate research assistant positions, conference presentations, and stronger letters of recommendation. If you thrive in a setting where you can ask questions and get feedback quickly, an in-person general economics degree at APU may suit you better than a self-paced online alternative. Students who need flexibility instead can explore an online four-year MIS bachelor's option as a point of comparison for how online business-adjacent degrees are structured.

Admission Requirements and Application Steps

APU reviews applicants holistically. That means grades and test scores matter, but so do essays, extracurriculars, and evidence of character and service. The university is test-optional for many applicants, so you can choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. A strong high school record in math, English, and social studies helps, since economics requires comfort with algebra and data. If you have taken calculus or statistics, even better.

Here is a practical sequence for applying as a first-year student.

1. Complete the APU online application or the Common App, and pay or waive the application fee.
2. Submit official high school transcripts and, if you choose, SAT or ACT scores.
3. Write your personal essay and request one or two letters of recommendation.
4. Apply for financial aid by filing the FAFSA and, if applicable, the CSS Profile.
5. Watch for your admission decision, then submit your enrollment deposit by the deadline.

Transfer students follow a similar process but submit college transcripts and a transfer essay. APU accepts credits from regionally accredited institutions, and California community college students often enter with their general education requirements largely complete. If you are still early in your search, a college matching service such as HigherEducationAdvisor can help you compare sponsored online and on-campus programs and request information from schools without any obligation to apply or enroll.

Deadlines matter. APU uses rolling admission for many terms, but priority deadlines for fall admission typically fall in the late fall and early spring. Applying early improves your chances for merit scholarships and on-campus housing. International students should add extra time for visa paperwork and English proficiency testing.

Cost, Financial Aid, and Return on Investment

Tuition at a private university like Azusa Pacific is higher than in-state rates at public universities, so families should look at net price rather than sticker price. Net price is what you actually pay after grants and scholarships. APU awards merit scholarships based on GPA and test scores, need-based grants, and athletic or departmental awards. California residents may also qualify for Cal Grants, and all eligible students can use federal Pell Grants, work-study, and student loans.

To estimate your real cost, subtract all gift aid from total tuition, fees, housing, and books. Then compare that number to the median starting salary for economics graduates. According to national data, economics majors often earn starting salaries in the range of 55,000 to 70,000 dollars, with higher figures for graduates who move into finance, consulting, or tech. Over a career, the analytical skills you build can compound into roles with six-figure earning potential.

It also helps to think about return on investment in non-financial terms. A four-year residential program gives you a network, mentors, and internship connections that can accelerate your first job search. If you graduate with manageable debt and a strong transcript, the degree can pay for itself within a decade. Run the numbers for your situation, and do not assume the most expensive option is always the best one.

Careers and Graduate School After Graduation

Economics graduates work in many industries because the degree teaches transferable skills: data analysis, modeling, writing, and critical thinking. Common job titles include financial analyst, policy analyst, data analyst, market research analyst, management consultant, and underwriter. Some graduates go into banking, insurance, or government agencies such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Others work for nonprofits focused on economic development.

If you want to specialize, graduate school is a common next step. A master's in economics, public policy, or business administration can open doors to senior roles. A PhD leads to academic research or high-level positions at central banks and international organizations. Law school is another popular route, since economics and law both rely on analytical reasoning and careful argument.

Here are a few career paths and the skills that support them.

• Financial analyst: build models, forecast revenue, and evaluate investments.
• Policy analyst: assess how laws and programs affect budgets and communities.
• Data analyst: clean and interpret datasets to guide business decisions.
• Consultant: solve problems for clients across industries, often with tight deadlines.
• Economist: conduct research and publish findings for government, academia, or firms.

Internships are the single best way to test a path before you commit. APU students often intern at banks, city governments, and entertainment companies during junior and senior year. Those experiences frequently turn into job offers. Even if they do not, they give you stories to tell in interviews and references who can vouch for your work.

Comparing In-Person and Online Economics Programs

Not every student can relocate or attend class during the day. Online economics and business degrees have become more common and more respected, especially for working adults and career changers. The tradeoff is usually flexibility versus immersion. Online programs let you study around a job or family, but they require strong self-discipline and offer fewer spontaneous conversations with professors and peers.

An in-person program like the one at Azusa Pacific gives you scheduled class times, a campus community, and easier access to internships and research. If you are 18 to 22 and want a traditional college experience, that structure is a benefit. If you are mid-career and need to keep working, an online degree may be the smarter choice. Many students also blend the two by taking general education courses online and upper-level economics courses on campus.

Before you decide, ask yourself a few questions. Do you learn best in a live discussion or on your own schedule? Can you relocate or commute? What does your budget allow? What kind of job do you want after graduation? The answers will point you toward the format that fits. You can also request information from multiple schools and compare their answers side by side before making a commitment.

Key Takeaways for Prospective Students

The Economics, General Bachelor's degree, usually 4 years In-person at Azusa Pacific University is a solid choice for students who want rigorous economic training in a faith-based, residential setting. You get small classes, internship access in the Los Angeles area, and a curriculum that connects theory to ethics and service. The degree prepares you for careers in finance, policy, data, and consulting, as well as for graduate study in economics, law, or public policy.

Admission is holistic, and financial aid can bring the net price within reach for many families. The main tradeoff is cost and the commitment to living and studying on campus for four years. If that fits your goals and circumstances, APU deserves a place on your shortlist. If it does not, online and public options can still get you where you want to go.

Start by clarifying your priorities, gathering application materials, and running the net price calculator on each school's website. Talk to current students and alumni, visit campus if you can, and ask hard questions about job placement and debt. A general economics degree is versatile, but the value you get from it depends on the choices you make along the way. Take the time to make those choices deliberately, and you will graduate with more than a diploma: you will graduate with a way of thinking that serves you for decades.