Understanding Undergraduate Degrees: A Comprehensive Guide
Thinking about earning a college degree but unsure where to begin? A good first step is learning the main types of degrees and the opportunities each one can open. Different degrees set you up for different career paths. This article explores the various types of undergraduate degrees, their differences, and the benefits of each, providing a detailed overview of associate and bachelor's degrees to help you make an informed decision about your academic future.
What Are Undergraduate Degrees?
College degree levels can be broken down into two categories: undergraduate degrees and graduate degrees. Within these, there are four primary degree levels: associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral. Each one offers different academic paths and career opportunities. Here are the college degrees in order from lowest ranking to highest:
- Associate degree (undergraduate)
- Bachelor’s degree (undergraduate)
- Master’s degree (graduate)
- Doctoral degree (graduate)
While a doctorate is the highest education level, some fields may stop at a master’s. The phrase “terminal degree” refers to the highest degree in a field.
Associate Degrees
An associate degree is a two-year undergraduate program that gives you foundational knowledge and skills in a specific field. While these degrees offer fewer opportunities than bachelor’s degrees, they can qualify you for some entry-level positions, particularly in healthcare. Many people choose to earn their associate at a community college.
Program Details
Typical Program Length: 1-2 years. Typical Number of Credits: 60. An associate degree can also serve as the foundation for a bachelor’s program. You may even be able to transfer some of the credits you earned for your associate degree toward a four-year degree. Some associate degrees require you to complete an internship or practicum in addition to taking classes. This is particularly common among healthcare and tech degrees. To apply for an associate degree program, you’ll need a high school diploma or equivalent, like a GED certificate. Some schools may require you to submit standardized test scores, such as ACT or SAT scores, as well.
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Career Opportunities with an Associate Degree
An associate degree prepares you for vocational, allied health, and support roles. For example, you can become a medical assistant, paralegal, or vet tech with an associate degree.
Popular Associate Degree Jobs and Median Annual Salaries (2024):
- Web Developer: $95,380 (Job Growth Rate (2024-2034): 7%)
- Dental Hygienist: $94,260 (Job Growth Rate (2024-2034): 7%)
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer: $89,340 (Job Growth Rate (2024-2034): 13%)
- Respiratory Therapist: $80,450 (Job Growth Rate (2024-2034): 12%)
- Health Information Technologist: $67,310 (Job Growth Rate (2024-2034): 15%)
- Occupational Therapy Assistant: $66,050 (Job Growth Rate (2024-2034): 18%)
- Computer Network Support Specialist: $61,550 (Job Growth Rate (2024-2034): -3%)
- Paralegal: $61,010 (Job Growth Rate (2024-2034): 0%)
- Physical Therapist Assistant: $60,050 (Job Growth Rate (2024-2034): 16%)
- Veterinary Technician: $45,980 (Job Growth Rate (2024-2034): 9%)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Types of Associate Degrees
Colleges can offer three kinds of associate degrees:
- Associate of Arts (AA)
- Associate of Science (AS)
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Arts, humanities, and creative fields typically offer an AA, whereas social sciences and natural sciences often award an AS. Many applied and vocational programs offer an AAS degree. The type of degree matters if you’re planning to transfer into a bachelor’s program. Colleges normally offer fewer transfer credits for an AAS degree.
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Popular Associate Degrees
- Accounting
- Business Administration
- Business Management
- Computer Science
- Criminal Justice
- Cybersecurity
- Early Childhood Education
- Education
- Graphic Design
- Healthcare Management
- Information Technology
- Marketing
- Medical Assisting
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Pre-Nursing
- Psychology
- Social Work
Bachelor's Degrees
A bachelor’s degree is a four-year undergraduate degree offered by colleges and universities. You’ll complete general education courses along with classes in your chosen major. You can also add a minor, which is a secondary area of study. Bachelor’s degrees are widely seen as essential for many professional careers.
Program Details
Typical Program Length: 4 years. Typical Number of Credits: 120. A bachelor’s degree program prepares you for many career paths. You’ll generally spend four years earning a bachelor’s degree at a college or university. You’ll take general education classes, electives, and upper-level courses in your major, providing you with a well-rounded academic foundation. For admission to a bachelor’s degree program, you’ll need a high school diploma for admission, and you may also need to submit SAT or ACT scores.
Career Opportunities with a Bachelor’s Degree
In diverse industries like business, tech, and education, a bachelor’s degree can prepare you for many entry-level careers. Some of the highest-paying jobs with a bachelor’s degree include roles in finance, management, and tech. Graduates with a four-year degree can also benefit from the high demand that many well-paying fields see, like software development and engineering.
Popular Bachelor’s Degree Jobs and Median Annual Salaries (2024):
- Software Developer: $133,080 (Job Growth Rate (2024-2034): 15%)
- Mechanical Engineer: $102,320 (Job Growth Rate (2024-2034): 9%)
- Registered Nurse: $93,600 (Job Growth Rate (2024-2034): 5%)
- Technical Writer: $91,670 (Job Growth Rate (2024-2034): 1%)
- Microbiologist: $87,330 (Job Growth Rate (2024-2034): 4%)
- Human Resources Specialist: $72,910 (Job Growth Rate (2024-2034): 6%)
- Special Education Teacher: $64,270 (Job Growth Rate (2024-2034): -1%)
- Social Worker: $61,330 (Job Growth Rate (2024-2034): 6%)
- Graphic Designer: $61,300 (Job Growth Rate (2024-2034): 2%)
- Substance Use, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor: $59,190 (Job Growth Rate (2024-2034): 17%)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
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Types of Bachelor’s Degrees
There are many types of bachelor’s degrees you can earn, depending on what your major is and what your school offers. Some of the most common types of bachelor’s degrees you’ll see include:
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor of Science (BS)
- Bachelor of Applied Arts (BAA)
- Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS)
- Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.)
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
The two most popular degrees are a BA and a BS. These degrees cover all arts and sciences majors and some education and engineering degrees.
Popular Bachelor’s Degrees
- Business Administration
- Business Management
- Civil Engineering
- Communication
- Computer Programming
- Computer Science
- Counseling
- Criminal Justice
- Education
- English
- Film
- Finance
- Graphic Design
- Health Informatics
- Health Sciences
- History
- Human Resources
- Information Technology
- Marketing
- Mathematics
- Nursing
- Organizational Psychology
- Political Science
- Public Policy
- Social Work
- Supply Chain and Logistics
Bachelor of Arts (BA) vs. Bachelor of Science (BS)
When exploring any list of bachelor degrees, you’ll encounter two main types: the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science. A Bachelor of Arts degree emphasizes the humanities, social sciences, and liberal arts. The breadth of required coursework generally encourages students to develop strong communication and creative problem-solving skills. On the other hand, a Bachelor of Science degree focuses more on scientific, technical, and analytical disciplines.
Key Differences
The main difference between a Bachelor of Science vs. Bachelor of Arts is the focus of the studies. Bachelor of Arts degrees tend to be more focused on the humanities. On the other hand, Bachelor of Science degrees, on the other hand, focus more on technical aspects of a specific field. However, you may find STEM B.A. degrees on many colleges’ lists of bachelor degrees. Subjects like mathematics, biology, and chemistry may have the option of both a B.A. and B.S. For these subjects, the difference between a Bachelor of Science vs. Bachelor of Arts comes in the focus of study.
Flexibility can also be important when deciding between the different types of bachelor degrees. B.A degrees tend to provide a little more flexibility, as you’re pursuing a broader education in liberal arts.
Considering your career outcomes is crucial when deciding between a Bachelor of Science vs. Bachelor of Arts. A B.A degree can prepare you for many career paths, while a B.S degree prepares you for a specific field. Ultimately, there are pros and cons to both B.A. and B.S. degrees. A B.A degree can provide a more generalized education, allowing you to explore many different fields and areas of study. B.S degrees will have a more specific focus, and can require more technical classes.
Which Degree is Better?
When choosing between a Bachelor of Science vs. Bachelor of Arts, you may wonder which is a better degree. While neither is inherently better than the other, you should think through which degree option is best for you and your career.
Let’s say you know you’re interested in computers and coding - if so, your first question should be “what types of degrees are there for computer science?” Keep in mind that either the B.A. or B.S. will result in a computer science degree, and they may be equally valuable in the long run. If your school’s list of college degrees has both types of bachelor degrees - which of the two types of bachelor degree should you pick? In this case, your next step is to ask yourself, “What is a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science going to do for you?” A B.A in Computer Science may make it easier for you to double major and get a broader education. A B.S in Computer Science will provide you with more technical skills, but may limit the kinds of courses you can take.
Other Types of Bachelor's Degrees
In addition to the BA and BS, other specialized bachelor's degrees cater to specific fields:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA): A specialized degree focused on professional development in theater, dance, music, and visual arts. If you’re passionate about a creative career, a B.F.A. might be your degree.
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA): Designed for students who want to pursue careers in business. It covers various business-related topics such as management, marketing, finance, and accounting. If you aim to enter business leadership or management roles, the B.B.A.
- Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch): Focuses on the study and practice of architecture.
- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW): Prepares students for careers in social work and related fields.
The Value of a Bachelor's Degree
Earning a bachelor’s degree comes with numerous professional and personal advantages.
- Increased Earning Potential: One of the most significant advantages of obtaining a bachelor’s degree is increased earning potential. According to research, individuals with a bachelor’s degree tend to earn more over their lifetimes than those without one.
- Career Requirements: A bachelor’s degree is required for many jobs, especially those in business, healthcare, education, and technology. Furthermore, a bachelor’s degree increases your chances of career advancement within an organization.
- In-Depth Knowledge and Expertise: A bachelor’s degree allows students to gain in-depth knowledge and expertise in a specific field.
- Personal Growth: Earning a bachelor’s degree also contributes to your personal growth. University education encourages you to challenge yourself intellectually, manage your time effectively, and interact with a diverse group of peers and professors.
High-Paying Bachelor's Degrees
When reading through a list of college degrees, you may wonder which academic degree will pay the most after graduation. Your salary after college will greatly depend on the field you plan to enter. We’ve outlined a list of bachelor degrees that often result in high-paying jobs after graduation. Keep in mind that this bachelor degree list is not exhaustive.
- Engineering: Encompasses many different high-demand fields, from computer science to electrical engineering and even aerospace specialties. Given the specialized skillset engineering students develop, it’s no surprise that an engineering degree can often result in a high-paying job.
- Healthcare: Is another high-demand industry. Programs in nursing, medical technology, and pre-med all set students up for high-paying healthcare jobs.
- Business: Degrees such as finance, economics, and marketing are often a pipeline into lucrative careers.
Online Bachelor Degrees
While they aren’t the best option for every student, online bachelor degrees have risen in popularity over the last several years. Online bachelor degrees can offer significant flexibility, allowing students to complete their degree at their own pace. Of course, there are pros and cons to these types of bachelor degrees. While these programs can offer a lot of flexibility, the loss of an in-person network can be challenging for some majors. Additionally, online programs can take longer to complete, since students complete them on their own schedule. On the other hand, online programs tend to be less expensive than traditional campus-based programs.
Navigating a List of College Degrees
Reading through a list of college degrees can be extremely helpful in deciding between the different types of bachelor degrees. Knowing which types of bachelor degree intrigue you can help you build your college list and choose between programs. Deciphering a list of college degrees can be difficult, however, as each school will organize their programs differently. Each school should list their different types of bachelor degree offerings so that you can choose which program is best for you. No matter how you research degree programs, reading a list of college degrees can tell you more about opportunities for specialization within your focus areas.
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