Economics Courses: UG, PG Degrees, Eligibility & Career Options
- 28 Jul 2025RBI Grade B General Batch Announcement
RBI Grade B General preparation batch launched on 28th July 2025 following the DEPR batch on 25th June 2025. - 26 Jul 2025Indian Economic Service (IES) 2026 Batch Launch
Indian Economic Services (IES) preparatory course started on 26th July 2025. - 14 Jul 2025CUET 2026 & IIT JAM 2026 Batch Announcement
Preparation batches for CUET 2026 and IIT JAM 2026 economics exams commenced on 14th July 2025.
Delhi School of Economics (DSE), Delhi University offers M.A. Economics at a tuition fee of Rs 216 p.a. (Rs 18/month) alongside specialized fees like a Rs 3,000 annual computer fee, while at least 3,172 colleges in India offer economics programs.
Below, you will find details on eligibility criteria, fee structures across institutions, syllabus topics, competitive entrance exams, career pathways, and step-by-step admission procedures.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Postgraduate Degree Option | M.A. Economics (Delhi School of Economics / Delhi University) |
| Core Syllabus Requirements | Must include both Microeconomics and Macroeconomics |
| Major Competitive Exams (India) | CUET, IIT JAM, NTA UGC NET Economics, RBI Grade B DEPR, Indian Economic Service (IES) |
| Apprenticeship Entry Paths | Level 6 Professional Economist & Level 7 Senior Professional Economist Degree Apprenticeships |
| College | City | Total course fee |
|---|---|---|
| Sambalpur University Distance Education | Sambalpur | ₹22,800 |
| University of Mumbai, Institute of Distance & Open Learning | Mumbai | ₹17,755 |
| Directorate of Distance Education, University of Jammu | Jammu | ₹21,380 |
| Venkateshwara Open University | Naharlagun | ₹25,000 |
| Directorate of Distance Education Kurukshetra University | Kurukshetra | ₹20,000 |
| University School of Open Learning, Panjab University | Chandigarh | ₹22,380 |
Fees for Economics Courses
Higher education fees for economics vary significantly between government and private institutions. Across government colleges, the median total course fee is ₹12,562, with the middle half of institutions charging between ₹7,342 and ₹28,246 (based on 430 colleges with fee data).
In private colleges, the median total course fee stands at ₹36,000, with the middle half ranging between ₹16,503 and ₹66,690 (based on 795 colleges with fee data).
At top public centers like Delhi School of Economics (DSE), Delhi University, the M.A. Economics program charges an annual tuition fee of Rs 216 (Rs 18 per month). In addition, DSE M.A. Economics students pay a Rs 3,000 annual computer fee, which can be fully or partially waived for needy students who submit income proof to the departmental committee. Students registered through DU colleges also pay the Computer Fee (Rs 3000), DSE Development Fee (Rs 500), and DSE Library Services Fee (Rs 1000) apart from individual college charges.
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Foreign Trade Kolkata | Kolkata | Government | ₹5,000 |
| Baosi Banikanta Kakati College | Barpeta | Government | ₹5,000 |
| Sri C. Achutha Menon Government College | Thrissur | Government | ₹5,020 |
| Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Degree College | Auraiya | Government | ₹5,020 |
| Dhakuakhana College | Lakhimpur | Government | ₹5,040 |
| Government Degree College Pulwama | Pulwama | Government | ₹5,070 |
| Vijaya Raje Government Girls PG College | Gwalior | Government | ₹5,180 |
| Netaji Mahavidyalaya | Hooghly | Government | ₹5,200 |
| Durgapur Government College Durgapur | Bardhaman | Government | ₹5,205 |
| Ram Lakhan Singh Yadav College Ranchi | Ranchi | Government | ₹5,215 |
Career Options and Salary after Completing an Economics Degree
Graduating with an economics degree opens diverse roles across government bodies, research organizations, central banks, and corporate firms. Across 142 colleges with placement statistics, the median average placement package for economics graduates is 2.76 LPA.
Mid-career professionals with postgraduate degrees can progress to senior policy roles or specialist functions.
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee | Average package |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prestige Institute of Management and Research | Indore | Private (aided) | ₹2.11 lakh | 6 LPA |
| Mar Ivanios College | Thiruvananthapuram | Private (aided) | — | 5.6 LPA |
| Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics | Mumbai | Private | ₹1.65 lakh | 5.36 LPA |
| Shibli National College | Azamgarh | Private (aided) | ₹12,147 | 4.82 LPA |
| St. Joseph’s College Devagiri | Calicut | Private (aided) | — | 4.8 LPA |
| St. Aloysius College | Jabalpur | Private (aided) | ₹24,285 | 4.78 LPA |
| Guru Nanak Khalsa College of Arts, Science & Commerce | Mumbai | Private (aided) | ₹27,030 | 4.75 LPA |
| Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira | Howrah | Private (aided) | ₹21,600 | 4.7 LPA |
| Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce | Pune | Private (aided) | ₹87,500 | 4.62 LPA |
| Loreto College | Kolkata | Private (aided) | ₹1.02 lakh | 4.47 LPA |
How to Choose Between a Degree and an Apprenticeship
- University Economics Degrees: Degree programs are required to cover both microeconomics and macroeconomics core subjects.
- Government Economic Service Fast Stream: Candidates must hold an economics degree or a combined degree containing at least 50% economics.
Choosing between a degree and an apprenticeship depends on entry requirements and program design. University degrees mandate core theoretical training, whereas specific career schemes dictate precise academic prerequisites.
How to Apply for Economics Admission in 2026: Step by Step
- Register for competitive examinations: Prepare and register for key competitive exams in India including CUET UG / PG, IIT JAM Economics, NTA UGC NET Economics, RBI Grade B DEPR, or Indian Economic Service (IES).
- Submit institutional application: Fill out application forms for degree programs like DSE M.A. Economics, central university courses, or degree apprenticeship schemes.
- Apply for fee waivers if applicable: Submit an application with family income proof and a statement of circumstances to DSE to request a full or partial waiver of the Rs 3,000 annual computer fee.
- Complete enrollment and pay initial dues: Finalize admission by paying dues, such as DSE’s annual tuition fee of Rs 216 (Rs 18 per month), university development fees, and library charges.
| What to do | Where | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Compare colleges, fees and cutoffs | Economics colleges in India | findmycollege.com |
Candidates should select competitive exams aligned with their specific academic or public job targets. Submitting required income documentation during admission helps needy students secure fee waivers.
FAQs
What is microeconomics?
What jobs can you get with an economics degree?
Graduates can work as assistant economists, economic research officers, scorecard analysts, senior economic advisers, self-employed freelance consultants, or green economists designing carbon tax systems.
What competitive exams can economics graduates take in India?
Key competitive examinations in India for economics graduates include the Indian Economic Service (IES), RBI Grade B DEPR, NTA UGC NET Economics, and IIT JAM Economics.
What are the eligibility requirements for the Government Economic Service Fast Stream?
The Government Economic Service Fast Stream requires candidates to hold an economics degree or a combined degree containing at least 50% economics.
