Why Pursue an Economics Master's Degree
A graduate degree in economics offers strong career and salary potential. In 2024, professionals with a master’s in economics earned a median annual income of $115,440 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), reflecting the high demand for advanced analytical and quantitative skills. Forbes also ranks economics among the top master’s degrees for job opportunities.
Beyond financial rewards, the program provides versatile expertise for careers in finance, consulting, government, technology and policy research, while also preparing students for doctoral study. With rigorous training and practical application, the MS in Economics delivers proven ROI for those ready to shape business and policy.
A Flexible Curriculum that is Highly Marketable
There are three concentrations that were designed based on the input of professionals in various industries:
- General Economics
- Financial Economics
- Business Data Analysis & Forecasting.
The General Economics concentration allows students to take 21 credits of electives from a large inventory of courses. Students in the Financial Economics and Business Data Analysis & Forecasting concentrations can choose 6 credits of electives.
Register for an Info Session
Join an upcoming information session to learn more about the MS in Economics at the Carlos Alvarez College of Business. Review admission requirements, explore the application process and ask questions directly to program representatives. Attendees will also receive a one-time application fee waiver.
STEM Designated Degree Program
This program in the Carlos Alvarez College of Business is included on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s STEM Designated Degree Program list.
STEM Designated Degree Programs provide several benefits, including:
- High career growth potential and competitive salaries
- Development of transferrable skills such as adaptability, critical thinking, research and analysis
- International students on an F-1 visa are eligible for up to 24 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Admission & Application Requirements
Applications are submitted through the UT San Antonio Graduate Application. Please upload all required documents (listed below) on your UT San Antonio Graduate Application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure completion and submission of the application, a nonrefundable application fee, and all required supporting documents are on file with UT San Antonio by the appropriate application deadline.
| Economics (MS) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Required Degree | Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or have proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution. | |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) Departments may consider GPA of last 60 semester credit hours. Otherwise qualified individuals with a GPA below 3.0 may still be eligible for admission consideration. For further information, please contact [email protected]. | |
| Coursework | Completed adequate credit hours or foreign institution equivalent coursework as preparation for the program. | |
| Transcripts* | Required from all institutions attended; international transcripts must be recorded/translated to English | |
| Credential Evaluation | Required if you have earned university-level credit from foreign institutions. Submit an evaluation of your transcripts from FCSA or any NACES-approved credential evaluation agency. | |
| English Language Proficiency | 79 TOEFL iBT / 6.5 IELTS / Duolingo 100 For exams taken on or after January 21, 2026: We require a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 4.0. |
|
| Purpose Statement | Required | |
| Letters of Recommendation | 1 academic or professional reference(s) demonstrating your attributes for successful completion of this program (you will request these through the Graduate Admissions Application; let your recommenders know of your deadline to ensure submissions are on time)(letter should be from a university professor or instructor; optional 2 letters of recommendation can be submitted) | |
| *Unofficial transcripts will be taken into consideration for admissions; however, if admitted into the program, you must submit official transcripts to the University. | ||
Application Deadlines
Applicants are encouraged to have their admission file completed as early as possible. All applications, required documents and letters of recommendation, if applicable, must be submitted by 5:00 PM U.S. Central Time on the day of the deadline. Deadlines are subject to change.
| Economics (MS) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Timing on Admission Decision: Completed applications will be reviewed for admission on a rolling basis. Decisions generally will be made and sent to applicants within 4 to 6 weeks of receiving the application. | |||
| Application Deadlines for: | Priority | International | Domestic |
| Spring 2026 | November 1 | December 12 | |
| Summer 2026 | Not Available | Not Available | |
| Fall 2026 | June 1 | August 1 | |
| Spring 2027 | November 1 | December 1 | |
| Summer 2027 | Not Available | Not Available | |
Funding Opportunities
Graduate Student Opportunities and Scholarships
Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs), Graduate Research Assistantships (GRAs), Graduate Administrative Assistantships (GAAs) and student grading positions are available to master’s students on a competitive basis.
$1,000 Graduate Competitive Scholarship for Non-Resident Students
Non-resident graduate students who have been admitted or are continuing their studies may apply for a competitive scholarship worth $1,000. If awarded, this scholarship allows students to pay in-state (resident) tuition rates.
Career Options
UT San Antonio prepares you for future careers that are in demand. The possible careers below are based on data pulled by a third-party tool called Emsi, which pulls information from sources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, other government databases and more to give you regional and national career outlook related to this academic program.
In the Spotlight
"When the Federal Reserve hires analysts, it looks for candidates with strong technical skills who are adept at gathering and analyzing large amounts of data using R, SAS, and Python. The program at UTSA produces those types of candidates."
- AT&T
- BBVA
- Capital Asset Exchange and Trading, LLC
- Federal Reserve Bank
- Frost Bank
- Goldman Sachs
- H-E-B
- JPMorgan Chase
- Marathon Petroleum
- Oracle
- SWBC
- USAA
- Valero Energy Corporation
Frequently Asked Questions
The UT San Antonio 33-credit hour Master of Science in Economics degree provides advanced training in economic theory and quantitative analysis, including econometrics and mathematical economics. It’s well-suited for students who want strong analytical and research skills that translate across sectors. Students develop strengths in microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, econometrics, mathematical economics, statistical inference and offers concentrations in business data analysis, financial economics or general economics. A STEM-designated program, the program offers flexibility with evening coursework for working professionals. You’ll also have access to advising and career resources that help connect your coursework to post-graduation opportunities.
This program is a strong fit if you want to strengthen your analytical, quantitative and economic decision-making skills for careers in business, finance, consulting, government or policy. It is also a good option if you want to build a stronger foundation before applying to a PhD program in economics or a related field. The program is designed to support both students seeking a terminal master’s degree and students preparing for doctoral study.
In this program, you’ll study core topics in economic theory and econometrics, with a strong emphasis on applications and skill development. Depending on your concentration, you can take courses in areas such as applied econometrics, causal inference and machine learning, forecasting, data analytics with Python, SAS or R and advanced analytic tools used in business and policy settings. This structure helps you build both theoretical knowledge and practical, marketable skills.
Concentrations available include Business Data Analysis, Financial Economics and General Economics.
The MS Economics program at UT San Antonio requires 33 credit hours, and you can complete it on a full-time or part-time schedule. Your timeline will depend on how many courses you take each semester and whether you are balancing work or other responsibilities while in graduate school. Because the program offers flexible concentration pathways, you can work with the program to build a course plan that fits your pace and goals.
With this degree, you can prepare for careers in finance, consulting, government, technology and policy research, along with other analytics-focused roles. This program is designed to help you build quantitative and applied economics skills that employers use for forecasting, data analysis and strategic decision-making.
Graduate students can pursue several types of support, including competitive graduate assistantships (teaching, research, administrative or grading positions) and scholarships offered through the college and the university. Non-resident students may also look into the college’s $1,000 Graduate Competitive Scholarship, available to admitted or continuing non-resident master’s students enrolled in at least 9 graduate credit hours with a minimum 3.0 GPA and in good academic standing. Recipients also become eligible for in-state tuition rates for the academic year, which can significantly reduce overall costs. Decisions and availability depend on deadlines, funding and your academic profile, so apply early and check UT San Antonio One Stop and the college’s resources page for current opportunities.
