Economics transfer to UC Santa Cruz
What UC Santa Cruz expects economics transfers to finish before fall 2027. Below are Santa Cruz’s own preparation and selection rules, UC’s shared course list, the TAG terms and your odds.
Checked against official UC and campus sources in November 2026.
At a glance
- Fall 2025 campus admit rate
- 70.4%
- Screens applicants
- Yes
- TAG GPA line
- 3.00
- Admits transfers
- Yes
UC Santa Cruz admitted 70.4% of all transfer applicants for fall 2025, and it doesn’t publish admit rates by major. UC Santa Cruz reported an average GPA of 3.47 for admitted fall 2025 transfers and no range. The calculator’s range is an estimate around that average.
What Santa Cruz expects
Economics B.A.
- Courses to finish
For the 2026-27 catalog, transfers must complete ECON 1, ECON 2, and one of AM 11A, MATH 11A or MATH 19A by the end of spring before fall entry. Source
Completing the calculus sequence (AM 11B, or MATH 22 and MATH 23A) is recommended before transfer. Source
- Selection
A minimum GPA of 2.8 is required in the three screening courses, taken for a letter grade. Two grades of NP, C-, D+, D, D- or F in qualification courses make a student ineligible to declare. Source
- Also note
Admission to UCSC does not automatically mean admission to the economics major, and students admitted under another major need department permission to change in. Source
- Every Santa Cruz major
For Fall 2026, UCSC screens transfer applicants for completion of major preparation courses in a published list of screening majors, with criteria given in each major's General Catalog entry. Source
Required major preparation must be completed by the end of the spring term before fall transfer, or by the end of the fall term before winter transfer. Source
UC’s shared course list
UC’s Economics Transfer Pathway lists the courses that prepare you for this major at every campus, UC Santa Cruz included. Where Santa Cruz’s own list above asks for more, follow the campus.
| Course | Status |
|---|---|
| Microeconomics (one course) | Required |
| Macroeconomics (one course) | Required |
| Single variable calculus (one-year sequence, STEM version encouraged) | Required |
Paste your course titles to see which items they cover.
TAG for this major
UC Santa Cruz’s TAG covers economics for fall 2027 at a 3.00 UC-transferable GPA. TAG filing runs September 1–30 of the year before you transfer.
Your odds
Move the GPA to see a regular-review range at UC Santa Cruz for economics.
The same major at other campuses
| Campus | Screens applicants | TAG |
|---|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | Not stated | No TAG |
| UCLA | Yes | No TAG |
| UC San Diego | Yes | No TAG |
| UC Irvine | Yes | 3.40 |
| UC Davis | Yes | 3.20 |
| UC Santa Barbara | Yes | 3.40 |
| UC Riverside | Yes | 2.80 |
| UC Merced | Yes | 2.80 |
Other majors at UC Santa Cruz
- Anthropology
- Bioengineering
- Biological Sciences
- Business Administration
- Business Economics
- Chemistry
- Cognitive Science
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Earth Science / Geology
- Electrical Engineering
- English
- Environmental Science
- Film and Media Studies
- History
- Linguistics
- Mathematics
- Neuroscience
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
Official links
- UC Santa Cruz transfer admissionsadmissions.ucsc.edu
- ASSIST: course agreements to UC Santa Cruzassist.org
Questions
What GPA do you need to transfer to UC Santa Cruz for economics?
A minimum GPA of 2.8 is required in the three screening courses, taken for a letter grade. Two grades of NP, C-, D+, D, D- or F in qualification courses make a student ineligible to declare. A TAG needs at least a 3.00.
What classes do I need to transfer to UC Santa Cruz for economics?
For the 2026-27 catalog, transfers must complete ECON 1, ECON 2, and one of AM 11A, MATH 11A or MATH 19A by the end of spring before fall entry. Check each course on ASSIST for your college.
Is economics selective or screened at UC Santa Cruz?
Yes. UC Santa Cruz screens transfer applicants for it. A minimum GPA of 2.8 is required in the three screening courses, taken for a letter grade. Two grades of NP, C-, D+, D, D- or F in qualification courses make a student ineligible to declare.
Can I get a TAG for economics at UC Santa Cruz?
Yes, for fall 2027, with at least a 3.00 GPA. TAG filing runs September 1–30 of the year before you transfer.