Top 10 Part-Time Master's in Economics Degrees 2025

Working professionals can further their education by earning a part-time economics master's degree at a reputable institution. This involves taking a lighter course load through a flexible program, which may take about two years or more to complete. We'll show you the top colleges for part-time graduate school in economics.

Can You Earn a Master's in Economics Degree Part-Time?

Yes, you can earn a part-time master's in economics by taking classes in the evening or through online coursework. This allows you to keep working and handle other responsibilities. Some students enroll in specially tailored part-time curricula or just take one or two graduate courses per session.

How Long Does It Take to Finish a Master's in Economics Part-Time Degree?

The program duration varies depending on the institution you attend, the number of courses you can take, and whether the program will accept transfer credits. While a full-time economics master's degree might require three or four courses per semester, part-time students usually take one or two classes. Also, some online colleges feature shorter sessions (seven or eight weeks), which are conducive to taking one course at a time.

How Does a Part-Time Master's in Economics Degree Program Work?

There are multiple ways to attend graduate school part-time. Some students take all their courses online at scheduled times, whereas other online students enroll in asynchronous classes, which do not require a specific login or meeting time. Finally, you can also take on-campus courses in the evenings or on Saturdays.

Best Part-Time Master's in Economics Degree Programs

Check out this list of part-time master's degrees in economics. This section includes information about each program, estimated tuition rates, and accreditation statuses.

1. North Carolina State University

North Carolina State University (NCSU) has a full-time or part-time master's degree option, which can lead to earning a doctorate in the field. The school's website includes a list of employers who hire NCSU economics graduates, including Bank of America, the U.S. Department of State, Credit Suisse, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

• Estimated tuition cost: $289.55 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. Georgetown University

Georgetown University seeks to train the next generation of economists through its Master of Arts in Applied Economics (MAES). If you enroll full-time, the program takes approximately a year to complete, but there is also a part-time alternative for completing the required 30 credit hours.

• Estimated tuition cost: $2,652 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

3. George Mason University

George Mason University offers a 100% online master's in economics with full-time and part-time enrollment options. This degree program requires students to take at least four prerequisite classes before beginning other economics courses. These include Intermediate Microeconomics, Intermediate Macroeconomics, Calculus, and Statistics.

• Estimated tuition cost: $1,065 per credit hour
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

4. University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati has a two-year track to earn an MAES degree through part-time study. The program provides daytime and evening courses, with some electives available through remote learning. You can also pay for graduate school by pursuing research assistantships and other financial aid.

• Estimated tuition cost: $662 per credit hour
• Program length: Two years
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

5. Boston College

Boston College offers flexible part-time enrollment for its 10-course Master of Science in Applied Economics (MSAE) degree program. The graduate course catalog includes plenty of elective topics, such as market research, big data analysis, healthcare economics, and economic development. Incoming students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0; however, GRE and GMAT scores are optional.

• Estimated tuition cost: $1,490 per credit hour
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

6. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia Institute of Technology's master's in economics program focuses heavily on quantitative methods and the use of cutting-edge technology for economic research and forecasting. Graduate students can expect to take coursework in data analysis and learn how to use programming software like Python.

Georgia Tech reports an average annual salary of $110,000 among its master's program graduates.

• Estimated tuition cost: $601 per credit hour
• Accreditation:SACSCOC

7. Northeastern University

Northeastern University admits full-time and part-time students into its Master of Science (MS) in economics program, which requires on-campus attendance. Most part-time students finish their degrees within two years after concentrating in data science.

Graduates find employment at many major companies, including Amazon, the BLS, CVS Health, Goldman Sachs, and RAND Corporation.

• Estimated tuition cost: $1,589 per credit hour
• Program length: Two years
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

8. George Washington University

The George Washington University offers a 30-credit MSAE program, which part-time students can finish in less than two years. Some students complete this degree while simultaneously earning a graduate certificate in data science, environmental resource policy, business analytics, and other concentrations.

• Estimated tuition cost: $2,964 per credit hour
• Program length: 20 months
• Accreditation: MSCHE

9. Drexel University

Drexel University publishes detailed study plans for both full-time and part-time graduate students. You can complete this 45-credit master's degree in about two years by taking two courses each term (including winter and summer sessions). There are several core courses in topics like econometrics, mathematical economics, microeconomics, and time-series analysis.

• Estimated tuition cost: $1,094 per credit hour
• Program length: Two years
• Accreditation: MSCHE

10. American University

American University's MS in economics requires 30 to 36 credit hours, which are available through afternoon/evening courses and online learning. The degree requirements include a capstone project and specialization in an economics field, such as applied economics, development economics, and international economics.

• Estimated tuition cost: $2,080 per credit hour
• Program length: 18 months (or your own pace)
• Accreditation: MSCHE

How We Rank Schools

Here is how we rank schools offering part-time master's degrees in economics. Our criteria include accreditation status, program flexibility, and program reputation.

• Accreditation: Academic accreditation shows that the university receives auditing from third-party accrediting firms to ensure program quality.
• Program flexibility: This list focuses on degree programs with flexible, part-time enrollment.
• Program reputation: Part-time students should expect to receive the same high-quality instruction as full-time, on-campus students.

FAQs About Economics Master's Part-Time Programs

These are five frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding part-time economics master's degrees. This section addresses concerns related to tuition costs, career outlook, and the respectability of the degree.

Can I Do a Master's in Economics Online?

Yes, many of the programs listed above specialize in online delivery. Sometimes this means you may need to attend seminars or residencies in person, but this is often not necessary in the economics field.

How Much Does a Part-Time Master's in Economics Cost?

The total tuition for a part-time master's in economics may cost between $12,000 and $50,000, depending on whether you attend a public or private college. Please check the specific tuition rates for your intended school to verify whether there is a cost differential for part-time versus full-time attendance.

What Careers Can I Pursue With a Part-Time Master's in Economics Degree?

A graduate degree in economics opens the door to many high-paying jobs. This includes important positions such as economist, financial analyst, actuary, market researcher, and econometrician.

Is a Master's in Economics Difficult?

This is a difficult field given the volume of quantitative methods training involved. Master's students also explore many sophisticated theories and applications related to their field. Some programs also require a capstone project for degree completion.

Are Part-Time Master's in Economics Worth It?

Yes, a part-time master's degree offers you the chance to complete an advanced degree even when you cannot stop working to attend graduate school full-time. This has become popular among many working professionals, and employers have no problem honoring the credentials you earn through part-time study.

Explore Flexible Online Master's Degrees

Use Learn.org to find flexible master's degrees you can complete online at your own pace. Our resources can help you identify part-time ways to attend graduate or undergraduate school for economics, business, nursing, and other major disciplines.