How To Get a Free Economics Degree 2025

If you're hoping to pursue a career in the economics field, you're most likely going to need a degree. But you know how expensive college can be, and you're worried about being able to afford your education. Is there a way you can get your economics degree for free?

It is possible to get a free or low-cost economics degree. The best ways to do this are by enrolling in an affordable online economics degree program, applying for financial aid and scholarship opportunities, and transferring credits to your degree program.

Keep reading to learn how to obtain a low-cost degree in economics.

Is It Possible To Earn a Free Economics Degree?

Most students hoping to learn economics won't be able to get their degree completely free. Even if a school offers to cover tuition, chances are you'll have to pay for various fees, book costs, room and board, and more.

That said, you can reduce or even eliminate your out-of-pocket expenses in several ways. Some of these methods include:

• applying for scholarships and financial aid
• pursuing a work-study program
• using employer tuition reimbursement

We'll discuss each of these options in greater detail a little later. It's also worth noting that learners with previous college credit can often save both time and money on their degree by applying these credits to their degree program.

For example, if you earned an associate degree, your school may transfer most or all of your credit hours to your bachelor's degree program, allowing you to finish in half the time and with half the debt you would otherwise accrue at a university.

Check with your school to find out about their specific transfer credit policies and to learn exactly how many of your credits may transfer into your economics program.

Can I Study Economics Online for Free?

If you're hoping to learn about economics without committing to the cost of a college degree, taking some online economics courses may be the way to go. You can learn basic economics online for free through sites like edX. Their flexible format allows you to study at your own pace.

Students can also look to universities for free online advanced economics courses. Some of the top universities offering these free online courses include:

• Harvard University
• Yale University
• Stanford University
• University of Pennsylvania
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

These high-quality, interactive courses teach the fundamentals of economics, giving you a solid foundation to build. However, it's important to remember that they don't lead to a degree.

They can help you learn more about economics so you can decide if it's the right career for you, but you'll still need to attend college if you hope to find a job in the field; many careers require at least a bachelor's degree and some require a master's degree in economics.

Steps for Earning a Low-Cost Economics Degree

Now that you know about the different learning options for studying economics, let's look at some specific steps you can take to reduce how much your degree costs. Combining many of these tips may even make it possible to eliminate your expenses.

Research Tuition-Free Colleges

A few colleges offer free tuition to some or most of their students. These schools include the University of the People, Berea College, Antioch College, and College of the Ozarks.

Do basic online research to see which schools offer free tuition or scholarships to help students cover tuition costs. Then, research each of these schools to find out which ones offer economics degrees, what their admissions requirements are, and how you can get started at the school.

Apply for Financial Aid

Regardless of the school you choose, there may still be some costs involved in getting your education. To cover these costs, consider applying for financial aid.

There are many different types of financial aid, many of which are available through the government and don't require you to pay them back. Your school may also offer financial aid packages. To determine if you qualify for financial aid, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online form.

Explore Scholarship Opportunities

Applying for scholarships is another excellent way to earn some extra money for college. Scholarships are a specific form of financial aid typically based on academic excellence or some other merit rather than need.

Schools, businesses, and nonprofit organizations all frequently offer scholarships. Each scholarship will have different requirements and admission instructions, so be sure to adhere to the specific guidelines governing each scholarship you apply for.

Employer Tuition Reimbursement

If you have a job, your employer may be willing to cover some or all of your college costs through a tuition assistance program. This may be especially true if you are obtaining the degree to pursue an advancement within your existing company.

Check with your employer to find out specifics. Ask if tuition assistance or reimbursement is available and how much of your education the workplace will be willing to cover.

Enroll in an Online Economics Degree Program

Online bachelor's in economics programs are typically more flexible and affordable than in-person degrees. They may offer self-paced coursework, charge lower tuition and fewer fees, and help students save money on commuting or living on campus since you can study from anywhere.

Many schools offer online economics degrees, some of which are highly affordable. We'll take a look at a few of these options below.

Consider a Work-Study Program

Finally, if you don't already have a job and are willing to take on extra responsibility while completing your degree, you can participate in a work-study program. Many schools offer these programs, which allow students to work toward the school in exchange for paychecks they apply to their college expenses.

Work-study programs are usually offered to those who demonstrate financial need. To have the best chance to be considered for a work-study program at your school, fill out the FAFSA online application form.

Affordable Economics Degree Programs

Now that you know how to earn an economics degree for free, let's discuss some colleges and universities that offer affordable online bachelor's degrees in economics. With the right combination of transfer credits and financial aid, students may complete these degrees for free.

Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a large public school with an array of degree programs you can complete online or in person. It offers two online Bachelor of Science degrees: one through its business school and one through its college of liberal arts and sciences. In these programs, you'll study topics such as:

• principles of economics
• macroeconomics
• microeconomics
• international trade
• economic theory

If you are an Arizona resident, the school offers opportunities to earn free tuition through the Starbucks College Achievement Plan and the ASU Advantage Program. Financial aid and scholarships are available for all students to help them afford their degrees.

Eastern New Mexico University

Eastern New Mexico University is a public school known for its affordable tuition rates and range of online degree offerings. One of the online degrees is a Bachelor of Business Administration in applied economics and finance. Topics covered in this program include:

• econometrics
• financial markets
• economic decisions
• global economies
• economic policy-making

The school offers affordable tuition for both in-state and out-of-state students; various financial aid and scholarship opportunities are available.

University of North Carolina Pembroke

The University of North Carolina Pembroke is a public school offering flexible online options for many of its degree programs. Students can pursue a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a concentration in economics. Topics covered in this program include:

• behavioral economics
• interest rates
• economic growth
• monetary policy
• economic sustainability

Students can save a lot of money through the NC Promise program, which greatly reduces tuition per semester for both in-state and out-of-state students. Other scholarships and financial aid options are also available.