Economics BA at University at Buffalo

Programme overview

Whether you're trying to reduce poverty, decide whether to buy or lease a car, or figure out how a company can make the best use of its employees' time, you're using economics. As an economics major, you'll see exactly how we apply economics every day in our professional and personal lives. UB's economics program is designed for people who want to make the world better (and more efficient) by understanding how we distribute money, land and other limited resources.

Faculty: College of Arts and Sciences | Department: Economics | Study mode: full-time | Location: Buffalo, NY, United States

What you will study

As an economics major, you'll study foundational concepts like inflation, interest rates, wealth and trade—including how psychology helps shape our behavior. You'll learn how to gather data, analyze and develop economic policies, and present your findings.

Career pathways

Economics is one of the most flexible majors you'll find. While most economics students go to work in financial services (including banks, brokerage firms and insurance companies), you’ll quickly see how economics applies to everything from advertising and retail to health care and the environment.

Official programme page

Application information

Domestic applicants: USD 7,070 a year (2026-27). Undergraduate tuition for New York State residents, 2026-27 estimate, as listed for undergraduates generally; excludes fees (listed separately at $3,966), housing and related expenses. Rate applies to the undergraduate career, not a programme-specific fee Source

International applicants: USD 29,070 a year (2026-27). Undergraduate tuition for F-1/J-1 international students (same figure listed for out-of-state students), 2026-27 estimate, as listed for undergraduates generally; excludes fees ($6,466 for F-1/J-1 including International Student Fee and SUNY health insura Source

Fall entry (classes begin in August) and spring entry (classes begin in January) for first-year and transfer students.

Fall entry, domestic first-year: application opens August 1; Early Action (non-binding) deadline November 1; Honors College priority consideration December 15; Regular Decision deadline February 1; enrollment deposit due May 1 or 10 days after acceptance, whichever is later. Applications may continue to be submitted until capacity is reached.

Fall entry, domestic transfer: application opens August 1; priority scholarship consideration March 15; Regular Decision deadline May 1.

Fall entry, international first-year and transfer: Early Action November 1; Honors College priority consideration December 15; Regular Decision deadline February 1.

Spring entry: recommended application date is October 1 for first-year and international applicants and December 1 for domestic transfer applicants (priority scholarship consideration November 1 for transfer).

The application fee is $50 (non-refundable); applicants submit one of the Common Application, Coalition Application or ApplySUNY. SAT and ACT scores are not required for admission and scholarship consideration and may be submitted optionally. Fee waivers are accepted from SUNY, Common App, Coalition, College Board and NACAC.

Law (JD) application fee is $85; applicants submit the LSAT or GRE.

MD: AMCAS application accepted June 1 to November 15; supplemental application and materials due December 1; supplemental fee $100; Early Decision AMCAS due August 1 and supplemental due August 31.

Apply through the official page: https://www.buffalo.edu/admissions.html

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities