MS in Quantitative Economics & Predictive Analytics

Full-time students can complete the MS in Quantitative Economics and Predictive Analytics (MQEA) at California Lutheran University in as little as 11 months. The program consists of 30 units across 10 courses, offered year-round in five 8-week terms. Part-time students can also complete the program at a slower pace to accommodate work or personal commitments.

Applicants to the MQEA program must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in upper-division coursework. In addition, applicants must demonstrate quantitative proficiency through prior coursework: one year of calculus (grade of B or higher), at least one statistics course (grade of B or higher), one econometrics course (grade of B or higher), and some familiarity with computer programming. Applicants who do not fully meet prerequisite requirements may be eligible to take a foundation course the summer before enrollment.

Tuition for the MQEA program is $910 per credit unit, with a total base cost of $27,300 for the full 30-unit program. Financial aid, scholarships, and veteran benefits are available to eligible students.

The MQEA program includes 10 required courses covering micro and macro economic theory, economic policy analysis, econometrics (classical and extended models), time-series analysis, economic modeling and forecasting, financial economics, and two courses in data science and machine learning. Students build practical skills in computer programming, causal inference, and multi-equation forecasting systems throughout the program.

MQEA graduates go on to work as quantitative analysts, data scientists, economists, and forecasters across a wide range of industries. Alumni have been hired by high-profile employers including Amazon, Google, Spotify, IBM, Amgen, Moody's, Capital One, and the U.S. Bank, among others. The program prepares students for roles in the private sector, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.

Unlike many analytics or data science programs, the MQEA program at Cal Lutheran combines rigorous technical training — including machine learning, econometrics, and predictive modeling — with deep economic and financial theory. Students learn not just how to build models, but how to interpret them through the lens of economic causality and policy analysis. The program is also one of a select few in the country designated as a Certified Forecaster Program by the International Institute of Forecasters (IIF).

Yes. MQEA students gain real-world experience through close affiliation with Cal Lutheran's Center for Economic Research and Forecasting (CERF). Working alongside faculty, students produce customized economic reports and forecasts for businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits — including the annual economic forecasts for Ventura and San Fernando Valley counties, as well as Oregon. CERF has been recognized as one of the five most accurate forecasting organizations in the nation, and received the 2019 Zillow Home Price Expectations Forecast Accuracy award as well as a 2024 Fannie Mae Crystal Ball Award.

The MQEA program is offered on-campus at Cal Lutheran's Thousand Oaks, California location. Classes are held in an in-person, interactive format. While the program is not fully online, the year-round schedule with five 8-week terms — including evening and weekend course options — provides flexibility for students who are balancing work or other commitments alongside their studies.

Yes. Cal Lutheran undergraduates majoring in economics, mathematics, or data science can take advantage of the 4+1 program, which allows them to begin taking MQEA graduate courses during their senior year as part of their normal undergraduate tuition. By doing so, they can earn their master's degree in just one additional year after completing their bachelor's degree — effectively earning both degrees in five years. Admission to the 4+1 pathway requires senior standing and a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Yes. The MQEA program is accredited by both the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), ensuring it meets rigorous national standards for academic quality. Cal Lutheran is ranked #6 in the nation for Financial Economics and has been named a Top 10 Best Value School among Regional Universities in the West by U.S. News & World Report (2025).