Dallas Hall is where many Bachelor of Science in Economics with Finance Applications students attend class.

Undergraduate programs

Economics with finance applications

B.S.F.A

Overview

The SMU Department of Economics is highly ranked among economics departments in the United States and offers a comprehensive education in the major fields in modern economics. It attracts the most undergraduate majors in Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, and the second most at SMU.

Emphasis on economic theory and quantitative skills allows undergraduate and graduate students to develop the key critical thinking and problem-solving skills demanded by the corporate sector, policy institutions and academia worldwide. Students work alongside expert faculty members who conduct cutting-edge research in a broad range of areas, frequently publish in top economic journals, win major academic awards, belong to prestigious research bodies and act as editors of major academic journals.

The Bachelor of Science in economics with finance applications (B.S.F.A.) is our most popular degree plan, designed to train students in data-driven decision-making and quantitative techniques relevant to the financial sector and academic research. The rigorous curriculum combines modern methods of economic analysis with specialized classes in the economics of financial markets, accounting and computer science.

With a strong foundation in economics and a concentration in finance applications, you’ll be prepared to take on roles in banking, government institutions and private business. You’ll learn skills like asset valuation, long- and short-term financing, capital budgeting and investment decision-making. You’ll also dive into key topics like financial statement analysis, derivative securities and international finance, deepening your understanding of economic principles and boosting your competitiveness in the job market.

Top 20%

Best National Universities

U.S. News & World Report (2026)

11:1

undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio

90+

undergraduate majors at Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences

Admissions

Deadlines and details

Key dates and admissions information to help plan your application with confidence.

Transfer students

Everything transfer students need to know about admission requirements.

International students

All the essential admission requirements international students need to know.

Additional links

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Tuition and financial aid

2 out of 3 first-year students are awarded grants and/or scholarships with an average total of $38,598.

Tuition and costs

Explore the cost breakdown of tuition for undergraduate programs.

Financial aid

Find information on scholarships and financial support available at SMU.

Curriculum and learning

Our rigorous curriculum offers a broad array of advanced economics courses and distinct program tracks, allowing students to tailor their studies to their academic interests and career aspirations. The program requires courses in calculus and statistics, accounting and computer science.

The Bachelor of Science in economics with management information applications degree combines specialized training in economics, econometrics and management information systems in areas important to the study of big data. 

Featured courses

ECO 3355

Money and Banking

Explores how financial institutions, central banks and monetary policy shape the economy and financial markets.

ECO 4368

Foundations of Financial Economics

Introduces the economic principles underlying financial decision-making and corporate finance. Students learn analytical tools used to evaluate stocks and bonds, assess risk and return, and analyze capital budgeting and investment decisions in firms.

ECO 4378

Financial Economics and Investment Behavior

Introduces the economic foundations of modern financial markets with a focus on derivatives such as options and futures. Students learn how these instruments are used to price assets and manage financial risk in corporate finance and investment practice.

View course catalog

Outside the classroom

Student success

An undergraduate degree in economics from SMU prepares students for a wide range of careers through rigorous analytical training and distinct program tracks, allowing students to tailor their studies to their academic interests and career aspirations.

Student stories

Will Greave is an SMU alum who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Economics with Finance Applications in 2026.

Will Greaves ’26

“The economics program allowed me to combine my interest in data, math and finance. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone who has a broad range of interests. I entered SMU as a computer science major, but I was able to seamlessly switch to an economics degree when I realized I had more interest in mathematical modeling, theory and finance.”

Faculty

The Dedman College faculty consists of accomplished experts across the field of economics and finance with a primary focus on providing an exceptional education. Collectively, they represent many areas of expertise and are widely published in top economic journals. Our faculty members win major academic awards and belong to prestigious research bodies like the National Bureau of Economic Research and Institute of Labor Economics.

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Mea Ahlberg

Mea Ahlberg

Associate Teaching Professor

Stepan Aleksenko

Assistant Professor
Nathan Balke portrait

Nathan Balke

Professor
2007 Dedman Family Distinguished Professor
Bo Chen

Bo Chen

Professor and Director of Master Studies
Cullum Clark

Cullum Clark

Director, Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative and Adjunct Professor of Economics
Klaus Desmet portrait

Klaus Desmet

Ruth and Kenneth Altshuler Centennial Interdisciplinary Professor

Professor Carol Dickson-Carr Headshot

Carol Dickson-Carr

Assistant Teaching Professor
Hao Dong

Hao Dong

Associate Professor
Outdoor portrait of professor Alipio Ferreira wearing a green button up shirt

Alipio Ferreira

Assistant Professor

Zhan Gao

Assistant Professor
Marcela Giraldo

Marcela Giraldo

Associate Teaching Professor

Jon Haghayeghi

Assistant Teaching Professor
Wookun Kim

Wookun Kim

Assistant Professor
Madera Rocio

Rocio Madera

Assistant Professor

Ryan McGregor

Assistant Teaching Professor
Daniel Millimet

Daniel Millimet

Dedman Trustee Professor and Department Chair
Photo of Thomas Osang

Thomas Osang

Associate Professor Dean of Curriculum

Ömer Özak

Associate Professor
Saltik Ozerturk portrait

Saltuk Ozerturk

Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies
Nathaniel Pattison

Nathaniel Pattison

Associate Professor

Luis Perez

Assistant Professor
Headshot of Prasanthi Ramakrishnan.

Prasanthi Ramakrishnan

Assistant Professor

Helen Reynolds

Helen Reynolds

Teaching Professor Maguire Teaching Fellow
Santanu_Roy_300x200

Santanu Roy

Robert H. and Nancy Dedman Professor of Economics; University Distinguished Professor
Tim Salmon portrait

Tim Salmon

Professor

Michael Sposi

Associate Professor and Director of Doctoral Studies

Yichen Su

Assistant Professor
Beth Wheaton Photo

Beth Wheaton-Páramo

Research Assistant Professor/Teaching Professor

Facilities

Dedman College’s 16 academic departments can be found across 10 different buildings at SMU. Economics majors will find the majority of their instructional classrooms and faculty offices concentrated in the northwest corner of the SMU campus in Umphrey Lee Center and Dallas Hall.

The historic Dallas Hall on the SMU campus is the home of Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.

Dallas Hall

A majestic, 110-year-old facility used by Dedman College for both academic and office space.

The Umphrey Lee Center is a red brick building on SMU campus named for the University’s fourth president.

Umphrey Lee Center

Built in 1955 and named in honor of SMU’s fourth president and then chancellor, the Umphrey Lee Center currently houses the Economics Department and the Richard B. Johnson Center for Economic Studies.

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Frequently asked questions

A Bachelor of Science in economics with finance applications is a concentration within the Department of Economics at SMU. It combines elements of economics and finance to help understand the relationships between economic principles and financial markets. This degree provides a strong foundation in economics while offering specialized knowledge in finance, giving a deeper understanding of both fields.

An economics with finance applications major provides a theoretical foundation in market behavior combined with practical financial skills. This field studies the “why” behind market trends, consumer behavior and resource allocation, and emphasizes macroeconomic policy, data modeling and econometrics.

In comparison, a finance major focuses on techniques for managing money, investments and corporate assets. It focuses on the “how” of managing money, investment strategies, risk assessment and corporate financial planning.

The Bachelor of Science in economics with finance applications (B.S.F.A.) program prepares graduates for employment in a variety of fields, including banking, corporate finance, insurance, government agencies, personal finance and securities. Whether you’re interested in analyzing market trends, managing investments or working directly with clients, you could consider opportunities at financial institutions, consulting firms, government agencies or corporations. Some students choose to continue their studies with a graduate program in economics, finance or other business-related disciplines, or law.

Career paths include:

  • Financial analyst
  • Research assistant
  • Financial advisor
  • Software developer
  • Data analyst

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 942,500 job openings are projected each year for business- and finance-related occupations through 2034. And the reported median annual salary nationally is $80,920 as of May 2024.

The SMU website has an informative page showing job placement data of recent economics graduates.

The bachelor’s degree in economics with finance applications requires six credit hours in calculus and statistics and six in accounting. Among the electives are computer science classes that teach programming skills used in data discovery and summarization, graphics, file manipulation, iterative procedures and simulations.

Our students regularly complete internships with outstanding employers while pursuing their undergraduate degrees. Completing one or more internships helps you gain valuable skills and hands-on experience, network with professionals in the field, get an inside scoop on the industry, boost your resume, gain confidence and more.

SMU economics majors have held internships both locally and nationally at such institutions as PwC, Mutual of America, Cushman & Wakefield, L’Oréal, Berkshire Hathaway, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Charles Schwab, Raytheon and more. Explore more information on internships and job preparation opportunities, here.

The degree also offers independent study in economics for credit where eligible students undertake a research paper under the supervision of a faculty sponsor and give an oral presentation of the paper. A student may also apply for departmental distinction in economics by arrangement with departmental director of undergraduate studies.

Dedman College Department of Economics boasts a highly ranked research department that produces cutting-edge research in a broad range of areas, using theoretical, empirical and experimental methodologies.

Yes, the Bachelor of Science in economics with finance applications (B.S.F.A.) at SMU is specifically designed to prepare for advanced graduate study in economics, finance, business or law. It provides a strong foundation in economic theory, rigorous quantitative methods and applied financial analysis. A number of the classes required by this major are essential prerequisites for master’s or Ph.D. programs in economics.

If a master’s degree interests you, SMU also offers an accelerated pathway through its 4+1 program, which allows students to begin master’s coursework while finishing their bachelor’s degree.

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