How to Apply to Economics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: Admitted by Major in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, With Economics, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, and CS + Economics Options, for Domestic and International (Including Chinese) Applicants and Transfer Students

Economics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Illinois, or UIUC) is taught by the Department of Economics in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (LAS). The admissions office says that at Illinois you apply directly to a specific major, with the option to name a second choice. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on Illinois’s official information, for domestic students, international students, applicants from China and transfer students. Business (Gies College of Business) and computer science have their own guides on this site; only the joint CS + ECON major is mentioned here.

1. Degrees and options

• The department offers four undergraduate majors (undergraduate program page and major pages):
  • Economics (BALAS in Economics): 55–56 hours of required major and supporting coursework plus the campus general education requirements. The 30-hour economics core is ECON 102 Microeconomic Principles, 103 Macroeconomic Principles, 198, 202 and 203 Economic Statistics, 302 Intermediate Microeconomic Theory and 303 Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory, plus four 300- or 400-level ECON courses; the 7–8 hour math core is MATH 220 (or 221) and MATH 231. You also need 18 hours of supporting coursework outside economics, approved by an economics advisor, taken for a letter grade, with at least 12 hours at the 200 level or above; many students meet it through a minor, double major or dual degree.
  • Econometrics & Quantitative Economics (BSLAS): the page calls it a “STEM-designated” degree. It needs 64–66 hours: an economics core with ECON 102, 103, 198, 202, 203, 302 and 303, eight advanced 300- or 400-level ECON courses and 12 hours of 400-level quantitative economics; a mathematics, statistics and computer science core with MATH 220 (or 221), 231 and 225, STAT 385 and CS 105; and 6 hours of quantitative supporting coursework outside economics.
  • Computer Science + Economics (BSLAS in CS + ECON): the page calls it a “STEM-designated” degree. It combines core computer science (CS 124, 128, 173, 225, 222, 374, 421 and one of two systems options), 9–10 hours of mathematics (MATH 220 or 221, 225 and 231) and 24 hours of economics (ECON 102, 103, 202 (or CS 361, STAT 200 or STAT 212), 203, 302 and four 400-level ECON courses). The College of LAS manages the application process for this major.
  • Economics + Data Science (BSLAS in ECON + DS): the department’s newest major, 64–66 hours: a 30-hour economics core (ECON 102, 103, 202, 203, 302, 304 and four 400-level ECON courses), a 21-hour data science core (STAT/CS/IS 107, STAT 207, CS 307, CS 277, IS 467 and IS 477), 3 hours of research or discovery experience (ECON 397 DataLab Research, or advanced economics and data science courses abroad) and 10–11 hours of mathematics (MATH 220 or 221, 231 and 227). The page does not state a STEM designation for this major.
• Timing of the new major: the department’s news item of 2 October 2026 says current students can transfer in in spring 2027, transfer students can apply in spring 2027 for fall 2027, first-year students can apply directly in fall 2027 for enrollment in fall 2028, and first-year students applying in fall 2026 for fall 2027 can apply as economics, econometrics & quantitative economics or CS+ECON majors and transfer into the program during their first year.
• Minor and honors: there is an economics minor; each semester a small number of students who meet the requirements graduate with Department of Economics Distinction, named in the May ceremony program. There is also an “MSPE 4+1 Track” (the page only links to it; we did not read it).
• Scale: the department’s admissions page says it has around 1,300 current majors or students planning to add the major.

2. How admission works: applying directly to a major

• Choosing a major: first-year applicants choose a first-choice major on the Common App and may add a second choice; the page advises choosing majors you are interested in, since it can affect review. If you are admitted to your second choice, space in your first choice was limited and you are automatically wait-listed for it.
• What reviewers look at (admissions office): holistic review with no single deciding factor; they first check required coursework, then the rigor of classes, performance over time and current or recent coursework; they also consider how your background, interests and goals fit the major, and note that “some programs have specific expectations or prerequisites.” Outcomes include admit, deny, defer or wait list, and the wait list is not ranked.
• Entry bar for economics: the pages we read give no GPA or score cut-offs and no enrollment cap for economics; the department points to “Academic Profile” pages on the admissions site for each major, which we did not read. Not published on the pages read; check those profiles.
• Changing in after enrolling: current students follow the College of LAS declaration rules, summarized here.
  • Economics BA: ECON 102, 103, 202 and MATH 220/221 with a C or better in each, with at least one ECON course taken at Illinois; AP/IB/proficiency credit is accepted, transfer courses may be used, and approved substitutions may be used for ECON 202. The page says there are no exceptions and no petition for falling below the requirements.
  • Econometrics & Quantitative Economics: ECON 102, 103, 202, 203 and MATH 220/221 with C+ or better, with at least one ECON course taken at Illinois.
  • Economics + Data Science: a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher plus the same courses and C+ requirement as Econometrics & Quantitative Economics.
  • CS+ECON (LAS page): B- or better in MATH 231 and in ECON 102, 103, 202 (or STAT 200, 212, 400 or CS 361) and 203 (or test credit), with at least two courses taken at Illinois; for students applying in spring 2027 for fall 2027, ECON 203 and at least one additional ECON course must be completed at Illinois. A student not directly admitted to a CS+X major must be admitted by the sixth term of enrollment.

3. Prerequisites

• High school coursework (admissions office): English 4 years; mathematics 3 or 3.5 years required and 4 recommended (algebra, geometry, advanced algebra, trigonometry, precalculus, calculus and statistics count; applied business math does not); social science 2 years (history and government; economics and other social sciences also count); laboratory science 2 years (biology, chemistry, physics; general science does not count); a language other than English for 2 years (through the second level); flexible academic units 2 years; at least 15 acceptable units overall. At least 3.5 years of math including trigonometry or higher is required for a list of majors that includes “All Computer Science + X majors”; CS+ECON falls under that heading by name but the page does not name it, so confirm with admissions. Economics (BALAS), Econometrics & Quantitative Economics and Economics + Data Science do not appear on that list.
• Math intensity: every major needs calculus (MATH 220 or 221 plus MATH 231); Econometrics & Quantitative Economics adds MATH 225 and programming (STAT 385, CS 105); CS+ECON and Economics + Data Science add linear algebra–type courses.
• Introductory to intermediate courses: ECON 198 (Economics at Illinois, 1 hour), ECON 102 and 103, calculus, ECON 202 and 203 Economic Statistics, and ECON 302 and 303 intermediate theory (see Section 1 for each major’s own list). The pages do not give a semester-by-semester order; the department links a sample four-year plan that we did not read.
• AP and IB credit: the department’s declaration tables accept AP/IB/proficiency credit for ECON 102, 103, 202 and MATH 220/221 but do not list score requirements; not published on the pages read. Ask the undergraduate office (econug@illinois.edu).

4. Application rounds, materials and fees (first-year)

• Rounds (the date pages carry no year; confirm they are for fall 2027): applications open 1 September; Early Action deadline 1 November (non-binding) with materials by 7 November; regular deadline 5 January with materials by 11 January; Early Action decisions 29 January and regular decisions 26 February; honors and scholarship updates by 1 April; commit by 1 May. Deadlines are 11:59 p.m. Central Time.
• Platform and materials: the Common App; a Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) of courses and grades, for which a link is emailed after you submit; a few short essay prompts; activities and awards. The required-materials list is: the application fee or an approved waiver, the SRAR, any test scores you choose to report, and English scores if required. Official transcripts are needed only if you enroll. The required list has no recommendation letters, and the pages we read do not mention an interview.
• Testing: SAT/ACT scores are optional (test-optional). If you report them, use your highest ACT composite and/or highest SAT total (no superscoring), with sub-scores from different dates allowed; the ACT writing test is not used. SAT code 1836, ACT code 1154.
• Application fee: US$75, nonrefundable; the policy page’s waiver criteria are aimed at domestic applicants (NACAC form, Pell eligibility and similar), with exceptions for certain exchange programs, and the page does not say whether international applicants can use them.

5. Domestic students

• In-state and out-of-state costs (2026–27 estimates, full-time, varying by major, housing, meal plan and lifestyle): Illinois residents pay tuition and fees of US$18,530–24,018, food and housing 15,858, books 1,200 and other expenses 2,500, for US$38,088–43,576; out-of-state students pay tuition and fees of US$41,206–49,618 and other expenses of 2,840, for US$61,104–69,516. The pages we read do not say where a particular major falls in these ranges; not published.
• In-state preference: the pages we read state no admission preference for Illinois residents; not published.
• Aid: apply with the FAFSA, priority deadline 15 March. Illinois residents with family income of US$75,000 or less may qualify for the Illinois Commitment, which covers tuition and campus fees for up to four years. University scholarships based on academic excellence are considered automatically when you apply, and each college has its own scholarships (LAS has its own page). A tuition guarantee program keeps tuition the same each year for students who qualify.

6. International students

• Same process: international first-year applicants apply on the same timeline and self-report their academic record; official transcripts are required only if you enroll. Illinois says it does not partner with agents or private organizations to recruit students and asks you to work directly with admissions.
• English: all students, regardless of citizenship, permanent residency or curriculum, must demonstrate English proficiency. If you did not complete grades 10–12 in an approved English-speaking country you must submit TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, ACT or SAT scores, and this cannot be waived (if you choose to have SAT/ACT considered, it is used for all aspects of review and cannot just be sent to fulfill English proficiency). Scores must be from within two years of your entry term. The TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition is accepted for fall 2027; IELTS OneSkill Retake, IELTS General and TOEFL MyBest are not accepted. TOEFL code 1836; send IELTS electronically to “University of Illinois Urbana Champaign Undergraduate” and Duolingo to “University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign Undergraduate Admissions.” The minimum scores for first-year applicants are not stated on the pages we read, so not published; ask admissions. Subscores are considered in review. The two pages differ slightly: the international requirements page lets ACT or SAT satisfy the English requirement, while the policy page says applicants who report ACT/SAT and have not completed the most recent three full years of secondary education in an approved English-speaking country are “strongly encouraged” to also submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo, and those who do not report ACT/SAT are required to.
• Approved English-speaking countries: Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Canada (excluding Quebec), the Cayman Islands, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the mainland United States, among others. China is not on the list.
• Costs (2026–27 estimates): international students pay tuition and fees of US$42,248–53,078, food and housing 15,858, books 1,200 and other expenses 2,840, for US$62,146–72,976.
• Aid: the financial aid page says need-based financial aid is not available to international undergraduates, so you must have sufficient funds for your entire period of study; limited scholarships and loans are available through International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS). The scholarship page does not say whether international students are eligible for the automatically considered university scholarships; not published.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the pages we read do not say how Gaokao results are used. Not published; ask admissions (admissions@illinois.edu).
• Transcripts (SRAR): Illinois has a dedicated “China” guide for completing the SRAR after submitting the Common App. In the education section, choose “Other” for the grading scale, then create a new scale and enter the numerical ranges that equal letter grades; the page shows screenshots for 0–100, 0–150 and descriptor (Excellent, Good, Average) scales. In the courses section, for the Chinese national curriculum, report grades 9–11 with the grade, mark or descriptor and the maximum possible grade; for grade 12 report the final grade and maximum if you finished the year, or select In Progress (IP); list Civics and Politics under “Social Science.” Students who took O-Levels/GCSEs and then switched to IB report only grade 11 and 12 IB courses with SL or HL and report the O-Levels/GCSEs under International External Exam Results.
• Electronic transcript channels: the admission policies page lists CHESICC (CSSD) among approved electronic transcript vendors. First-year applicants do not submit official transcripts before enrolling.
• English: China is not on the approved English-speaking country list, so English scores are needed (Section 6).
• The pages we read have no separate list of school-leaving or exit-exam documents for China; not published.

8. Transfer students

• Who: applicants who took college classes after high school and are not first-year or returning students. The LAS transfer GPA guidelines list specific majors (for example Actuarial Science 2.7 cumulative and 3.0 technical), “all Computer Science–related majors” at 3.5, and “all other majors” at 2.7. Economics is not named individually, and the page does not say whether CS+ECON counts as computer science–related, so confirm with admissions. The guidelines describe the minimum GPA to be a competitive applicant.
• What reviewers look at: admissions says the review focuses on college coursework and required classes for the major, that “missing prerequisites is the most common reason for denial,” that applicants with fewer than 36 graded transferable hours are also reviewed on high school performance, and that admission may depend on space in the major. For course requirements it points to the Transfer Handbook, which we did not read.
• Economics + Data Science: the department says transfer students can apply in spring 2027 for fall 2027 enrollment.
• Timing (no year on the page): for fall entry, applications open 15 January, the priority deadline is 1 February (materials 15 February) and the final deadline is 1 April (materials 5 April); priority decisions by 15 April and regular decisions by 1 June. Spring entry opens 1 September, closes 1 October, with materials due 15 October and decisions by 15 November.
• Materials: the US$75 fee; official transcripts from every college attended; the official high school transcript or high school equivalency results; English scores if required. Transfer applicants must submit official transcripts, and Illinois cannot accept transcripts emailed by students or international institutions; approved electronic vendors can send them, and the policy page also accepts paper transcripts mailed by the issuing institution. Chinese transfer applicants submit a high school transcript showing the graduation month and year, or a graduation certificate.
• English minimums (transfer): TOEFL iBT taken on or after 21 January 2026, a total of at least 5.0 with all subscores 4.5 or higher; taken before that date, at least 100 with subscores 20 or higher; IELTS Academic 7.5 with subscores 6.5 or higher; Duolingo 130 overall with subscores 125 or higher. Other routes include a high enough ACT English or SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score reviewed individually, or two years of continuous full-time study at an approved institution.

Checklist

Domestic students:

• Common App by 1 November (Early Action) or 5 January (regular), with materials by 7 November / 11 January; first-choice major and optional second choice; US$75 fee
• High school math of 3 years or more, English 4 years and so on; SAT/ACT optional; self-report courses and grades
• For aid, file the FAFSA (priority deadline 15 March)

International students:

• Same timeline; US$75 fee (the pages do not say whether international applicants can get a waiver); English scores required if grades 10–12 were not completed in an approved English-speaking country; first-year minimum scores are not published, so ask admissions
• Prepare funds for the whole period of study, since international undergraduates get no need-based aid

Applicants from China:

• How the Gaokao is used is not published; fill in the SRAR using the China guide; China is not on the approved English-speaking list

Transfer students:

• Priority 1 February, final 1 April; finish the prerequisite courses for the major; the LAS guideline for other majors is 2.7; official transcripts through approved electronic channels

Sources: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Economics: undergraduate program; BALAS in Economics; Econometrics and Quantitative Economics; Economics + Data Science; Computer Science + Economics; New Economics + Data Science major; Economics: undergraduate admissions; LAS: declaring a major; Majors and academics; How to apply: first-year; First-year requirements; First-year dates; How admission works; International requirements; China application help; Admission policies; Transfer applicants; Transfer requirements; Tuition and costs; Financial aid; Scholarships. The date pages carry no year; the admission policies page says the TOEFL iBT Home Edition is accepted for fall 2027, so this guide is arranged for fall 2027 entry; check Illinois for the latest details and confirm the year. Costs are 2026-27 estimates.