Your Fastest Route to GCU’s BS in Finance and Economics

Why GCU’s BS in Finance and Economics is Perfect for Degree Hacking

Grand Canyon University offers this program online with transparent per-credit pricing, and a clear 30-credit residency. The structure makes it easy to front-load low-cost credits, then finish strong at GCU.

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A few quick reasons this degree lends itself to accelerated completion:

Transfer-Friendly Structure

• Online option with 7-week courses and frequent weekly starts

• Transfer up to 90 total credits, with up to 30 from alternative sources like CLEP, DSST, ACE-evaluated training

• Only 30 credits must be completed at GCU to meet residency

Career & Finance-Economics Preparation

• Build quantitative strength in corporate finance, investments, statistics, and micro to macro economics

• Apply economic thinking to capital markets and business decision-making

• Gain structure for advanced study or certifications later, taken separately from the degree

Why Most People Take 3–4 Years (And How to Do It in 6–12 Months)

Why Most People Take 3–4 Years:

Most learners follow a default sequence and pay university rates for courses that could transfer in. They also start before mapping equivalencies, which adds time and repeats.

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Here’s how delays usually creep in:

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• They underuse alternative credit: Students skip CLEP, DSST, and ACE options that could cover many basics cheaply and quickly.

• They enroll too early: They apply before maxing transfer credit, leaving dozens of units to finish in residence.

• They take all levels at GCU: Lower-division work that could come from evaluated providers is taken in house, stretching time and budget.

• They skip a capstone plan: Without earmarking the capstone and upper-division for GCU, they risk taking the wrong courses externally.

Here's what degree hackers do that others don't:

• Max transfers first: Lock in up to 90 credits with a clear equivalency map before you apply.

• Stack low-cost sources: Use approved ACE providers and credit-by-exam to fill gen ed and business survey gaps.

• Reserve GCU for the finish: Complete upper-division finance/econ and the capstone in residence to satisfy the 30-credit rule.

• Result: 6 months for about $14,550 in tuition fees

By engineering your path, the BS in Finance and Economics does not have to take years or cost a fortune. Degree hacking lets you lock in most credits ahead of time and finish the capstone stretch efficiently.

Strategy Guide: Tips on How to Hack GCU BS in Finance and Economics Program

These tips come from successful accelerators and official policies. The goal: outsource what you can to approved, lower-cost sources, then use your 30-credit residency on high-value, upper-division work at GCU.

GCU BS in Finance and Economics Pre-Enrollment Hacks:

• Plot your prerequisites early - Mapping which courses require prerequisites prevents delays and keeps your schedule tight.

• Leverage Study.com smartly - Subscription pricing often stays at either $95/month (College Starter) or $235/month (College Saver), so taking multiple courses at a time can drop per-course costs dramatically.

• Bank CLEP/DSST credits - Most exams are around $97 for CLEP or $100 for DSST plus a testing center fee, a quick way to capture economics, accounting, or math credits.

• Get a custom map - DegreeHacked.org can outline equivalencies, provider picks, costs, and timing so your plan fits GCU’s rules precisely.

GCU BS in Finance and Economics Degree Hacking Plan

BS in Finance and Economics Transfer Credits: What Transfers and What Doesn’t

GCU allows up to 90 transfer credits into the bachelor’s, while capping “alternative” sources such as CLEP, DSST, ACE-evaluated training and approved certificates at 30 credits. Undergraduate residency requires completing at least 30 credits at GCU, and those do not have to be the last 30. CLEP and DSST are accepted when aligned to your plan and approved.

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Here's the map below so you can visualize the targets:

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• 34–40 credits: General Education courses (highly transferable)

• 64 credits: Major in Finance and Economics courses (mix of transferable and GCU only)

• 16–22 credits: Open Electives (highly transferable)

GCU BS in Finance and Economics Requirements: Course Transfer Strategy

Why Degree Hacking Works for BS in Finance and Economics Students:

• Bigger savings, smarter spend: Push many lower-division credits to low-cost providers, then concentrate GCU tuition on upper-division impact.

• Faster moves with weekly starts: Short online terms and frequent starts help you keep momentum without long waits.

• Focus where it counts: Finance-economics depth, data-driven thinking, and the capstone become your in-residence priority.

Ready for Your Complete Plan?

Here’s what your personalized degree-hacking plan includes:  

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✓ 120-credit map with course-by-course equivalencies

✓ Provider and exam IDs with sequencing

✓ Cost and timeline scenarios by pace

✓ Backup options in case policies change

Applying to GCU for the BS in Finance and Economics

When to Apply: Best Timing for Enrollment

Apply after your transfer slate is maximized and mapped. With frequent online starts, you can queue your remaining 30 in-residence credits across 7-week courses and finish in a tight, predictable window.

GCU Admissions and Transfer Logistics

• Apply online, no application fee

• Send all official transcripts and exam records

• Use the Lopes Unofficial Credit Evaluation to preview how credits land

GCU Tuition and Other Aid Information

• Online studies undergraduate rate: $485 per credit

• GCU scholarships and other financial aid available

• Reduce tuition fee by maximizing the transfer credit limit policy at GCU

GCU BS in Finance and Economics Career ROI

• Median salary benchmark: Financial and Investment Analysts ≈ $101,910/year (national median)

• Degree payback time: ~2 months of median salary to cover 30 credits

• Roles: Financial and Investment Analyst, Budget Analyst, Personal Financial Advisor, Risk Management Analyst

• Quantitative toolkit for markets and corporate decisions, portability across sectors that value analysis and capital allocation