How to Apply to Syracuse University for Economics: Economics Sits in the Maxwell School, Apply Directly to Maxwell, B.A. and STEM-Designated B.S. Degrees, and Admission and Prerequisites for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Students

Undergraduate economics at Syracuse University is taught in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on Syracuse’s official information, for US domestic applicants, international applicants (including students from China) and transfer students. The course catalog site (coursecatalog.syracuse.edu) returned a verification page and was not used, so check the official catalog for the full course lists.

1. Degrees and options

• B.A. in Economics: described as a strong, analytical major, a good fit for students pursuing multiple majors or minors, starting economics later, or studying economics analytically rather than mathematically. It requires at least 27 credits in economics, including Business Calculus (MAT 284), two principles courses and seven advanced courses.
• B.S. in Economics: the school says the degree is STEM-designated and leans toward statistics, mathematics and econometrics. In addition to at least 27 credits of economics it requires Calculus I and II (MAT 295, MAT 296; 8 credits), five intermediate and mathematical economics courses (15 credits) and four upper-division electives numbered 300 or higher (12 credits).
• B.S. plus M.A.: strong B.S. students can earn a STEM-designated M.A. in economics with one more year (another page says two additional semesters); up to four courses, including two B.S. required courses, count toward both degrees. Students may also apply to an accelerated B.A./M.P.A. (public administration) program.
• Minor and honors: the minor needs six courses (18 credits): two principles courses and four upper-division courses. Honors Distinction in Economics involves original research with a 3.4 GPA and is noted on the transcript; Omicron Delta Epsilon is open to juniors and seniors with a 3.3 GPA or higher.
• Research: the Maxwell site says original research is a required element of the degree program; students can also join the Renée Crown Honors Program, the Economics Honors Distinction Program, the Young Research Fellows Program and others.

2. How admission works

• Apply directly to Maxwell: the Maxwell admission page says that since 2019, students interested in a Maxwell undergraduate major apply directly to the Maxwell School rather than through the College of Arts and Sciences. Syracuse’s first-year checklist also says applicants may apply to several schools and colleges as undecided.
• Conditions for entering economics after admission: the pages read do not state any GPA threshold, cap or entry requirement for the economics major. The department suggests meeting an economics mentor; contact economics@syr.edu or 315.443.3843.
• Internal transfer: every school and college offers internal transfer, with standards, academic requirements and deadlines set by the receiving school; the standards for College of Arts and Sciences/Maxwell are not stated on the pages read.

3. Prerequisites and course sequence

• High school preparation: not an admission requirement, but the school recommends a college preparatory curriculum with four years of English, science, social studies and mathematics (through geometry and intermediate algebra), and at least three years of a foreign language. The College of Arts and Sciences/Maxwell lists no additional application requirements.
• B.A. core: Business Calculus (MAT 284, single-variable calculus), ECN 101 microeconomics, and ECN 102 macroeconomics or ECN 203 Economic Ideas and Issues (one of the two); then ECN 301 intermediate microeconomics (or the more mathematical ECN 311), ECN 302 intermediate macroeconomics and ECN 422 statistics and econometrics, plus four upper-division electives.
• B.S. core: MAT 295 and MAT 296 calculus, ECN 101, ECN 102 (or ECN 203); ECN 311 mathematical microeconomics, ECN 302, ECN 505 mathematical economics, ECN 521 economic statistics and ECN 522 econometric methods, plus four upper-division electives.
• AP and IB credit: the pages read do not say which exams replace which economics courses; ask Admission or Maxwell.

4. Rounds, deadlines and application materials (fall 2027 entry)

• Early Decision (binding): 1 November; decisions in late December; reply by 15 February.
• Early Action: 1 November; decisions in early February; reply by 1 May.
• Early Decision II: 5 January; decisions in mid-January; reply by 1 March.
• Regular Decision: 5 January; notification begins in mid-March and continues weekly; reply by 1 May.
• The deadlines page prints no year, so check that these apply to fall 2027.
• Application and fee: Common App or Coalition App (Scoir); US$85 fee, with fee waivers available.
• Materials: official high school transcript, senior year grade report, counselor evaluation and one academic recommendation, plus the ED agreement for ED. The College of Arts and Sciences/Maxwell has no additional requirements.
• Testing: the first-year requirements page says SAT/ACT scores are not required for fall 2026, spring 2027, fall 2027 and spring 2028 entry, and applicants who do not submit scores are not disadvantaged and remain eligible for merit scholarships. The older first-year checklist page says the policy covers entry through spring 2027. Both statements appear on the site; confirm with Admission.

5. US domestic applicants

• Testing is optional; the fee is US$85; other materials are above.
• Tuition: a single tuition figure is listed with no distinction between New York residents and others; any in-state preference is not published, so ask Admission.
• Aid: the university says over 80% of students receive some aid, mostly grants and scholarships; no economics-specific scholarship was found on the pages read.

6. International applicants

• English tests: first-year and transfer applicants living outside the US whose first language is not English submit results. TOEFL (including At Home), IELTS, Cambridge English, PTE and Duolingo are accepted; TOEFL Essentials, ITP, TOEFL MyBest and IELTS Indicator are not.
• Preferred scores (the row covering Arts and Sciences, Maxwell and others): TOEFL 85+ (4.5 on the new scale effective 21 January 2026), IELTS 6.5+, Cambridge 176+, Duolingo 125+; SAT EBRW 600 or ACT English 27 can also be used. Meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission.
• Waivers: for first-year students, three full years (grades 10-12) at an in-person US high school; waivers are at the Admissions Committee’s discretion.
• Credentials: official academic credentials from outside the US with English translations; if you must arrange the translation, use a reputable service; notarized or certified copies are accepted when only one copy exists. British curriculum students cannot apply on IGCSE/GCSE alone and need at least one more year; BTEC is not accepted at this time.
• Proof of funds: F-1 applicants submit the Visa/Financial Support Information Form plus a bank statement or bank letter showing funds for one full year. For 2026-27 the international estimate is US$100,526, and 2027-28 will be finalized in spring 2027. Statements must be printed within a year of the start of term; income statements, tax returns and screenshots are not accepted.
• Scholarships: international undergraduate applicants are considered for merit scholarships by the Office of Admissions and notified at admission; no international need-based aid is listed. Interviews are optional.
• Testing: students outside the US enrolled in a school that does not follow the American system do not need SAT/ACT.

7. Applicants from China

• Credentials: the by-country table embedded in the credentials page lists China as the Upper Middle School Graduation Certificate plus a copy of the National College Entrance Examination (gaokao) results “with superior scores if taken”, with no advanced credit (Credit: None).
• Testing: the site exempts students outside the US enrolled in a school that does not follow the American system of education from SAT/ACT; confirm with Admission whether your school qualifies. The English test and funds rules are above.
• No other China-specific guidance (for example on transcript formats) was found; contact orange@syr.edu.

8. Cost

• 2026-27 undergraduate on campus (USD): tuition 69,180; housing and food 20,580; fees 1,869; books 1,847; transportation 839; personal 1,294; loan fees 67; total 95,676, or 98,544 with health insurance (2,868).
• International on campus: tuition 69,180; housing and food 20,580; fees 1,869; books 1,847; transportation and travel 1,888; personal 1,294; health insurance 2,868; program and technology fees 1,000; total 100,526, plus an estimated 7,291 for summer. The health insurance fee can be waived with comparable private coverage.
• The cost pages list no separate Maxwell or economics tuition.

9. Transfer students

• Who counts: students who completed at least 12 credits in a degree program elsewhere; those with fewer apply as first-year students.
• Materials: Common App or Coalition App; US$85 fee; a College Report from every school attended; the most recent college transcript and those from earlier colleges; and, for students who finished secondary school and have fewer than 30 college credits since, the final high school transcript.
• Deadlines: fall entry 1 July (earlier is encouraged; rolling decisions from late February); spring entry: the dates table says 15 November, while its footnote says the deadline is 1 December with a preferred date of 15 November. Check the year.
• Credit: the Orange Transfer Credit Navigator shows how courses from selected institutions apply; the minimum grade and credit cap are not stated on the pages read.
• Transfer into economics: any GPA or calculus requirement for entering Maxwell economics is not stated on the pages read; contact transfertosu@syr.edu.

Checklist

US domestic applicants:

• Apply to economics in the Maxwell School through the Common App or Coalition App by 1 November (ED or EA) or 5 January (ED II or RD), with the US$85 fee
• Transcript, senior year grade report, counselor evaluation and one academic recommendation; SAT/ACT optional
• Plan Business Calculus for the B.A. or Calculus I and II for the B.S.

International applicants (including students from China):

• Same rounds and materials; English test (for example TOEFL 4.5 new scale or IELTS 6.5)
• Graduation certificate and gaokao results (if taken) with translations; Visa/Financial Support form plus bank proof

Transfer students:

• 1 July for fall; at least 12 credits in a degree program; College Reports and transcripts

Sources: Syracuse University, Maxwell School: Economics undergraduate studies; B.A. in Economics; B.S. in Economics; Maxwell undergraduate admission; Dates and deadlines; First-year requirements; College-specific requirements; First-year checklist; International undergraduate requirements; International credentials; Transfer requirements; Transfer checklist; Transferring within the University; Undergraduate costs; International costs. Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 figures); check Syracuse University for the latest details.