What Is a Bachelor’s Degree: A Detailed Guide

If you’ve decided to embark on your higher education journey, congratulations! It’s wise to widen your horizon and amplify your career prospects with a higher education degree. One such degree that can help you gain in-depth knowledge in your subject of interest and kickstart your career is a bachelor’s degree.

Wondering what this degree entails? Explore this handy guide to learn the basics of this degree program. Let’s begin.

A Bachelor’s degree (also called a baccalaureate degree) is an undergraduate college degree program designed to provide comprehensive education to students in a specific area of study. A Bachelor’s degree typically takes 3-4 years to complete and generally requires students to earn 120-150 credits to graduate. In many countries, a bachelor’s is the first level of higher education. 

In the U.S., a bachelor’s degree usually takes 4 years of full-time study to complete. It is the first degree for many students after finishing high school, but some students opt to start with the shorter associate degree.

The curriculum of a typical bachelor’s degree aims to equip students with the information and skills required to succeed in their chosen field. There are many reasons to pursue a bachelor’s degree. 

First, a bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite for certain jobs, and getting one can result in higher earning potential. In addition, a bachelor’s degree can open up a wide range of career opportunities and help students develop the skills and knowledge needed to advance in their chosen field. 

A bachelor’s degree can also provide students with personal and intellectual growth and the ability to think critically and solve problems.

Here is a table that summarizes the differences between a Bachelor’s and Associate’s:

Fields	Bachelor’s Degree	Associate’s Degree
Duration	3-4 years	2 years
Tuition Fee	Higher	Lower
Depth of Study	More intensive	Basic working knowledge
Employment and Salary	Better employment opportunities and higher salary potential	Somewhat limited job opportunities and lower salary potential
Admission Requirements	High school transcripts, SAT/ACT test scores, personal essays, application fees	High school transcripts, SAT/ACT test scores, application fees (optional for some programs)

The U.S. Department of Education (DoE), recognizes about 80 different Bachelor-level programs, many of which have specific titles based on the subject of study, such as Bachelor of Wireless Engineering (BWE), Bachelor of Journalism (BJ), Bachelor of Music (BM), etc. Yet the majority of degrees fall under the following 3 categories:

1. Bachelor of Arts (BA)
2. Bachelor of Science (BS)
3. Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

1. Bachelor of Arts (BA)

A Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree program includes general education coursework along with in-depth courses related to your chosen major. The general education classes facilitate a broader understanding of a wide range of foundational subjects, while the major-specific classes provide you with the technical skills and knowledge required for professional roles in your chosen major. 

A BA degree program usually involves writing and research and builds on your analytical reasoning skills. 

Here are a few popular BA majors you can opt for:

• Business
• Communication
• Economics
• Psychology
• Political Science
• Sociology

2. Bachelor of Science (BS)

Bachelor of Science (BS) degree programs are designed to focus on the technical, and quantitative aspects of your chosen field of study. The curriculum of BS degrees includes objective subjects such as math and science. 

For some subjects, you can choose between a BS or a BA degree program.

For instance, to pursue a degree in Economics, you can either pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Economics degree (BA in Economics) or a Bachelor of Science in Economics degree (BS in Economics). The key difference between them is in the curriculum – A BS in Economics would involve more coursework related to mathematics and statistics, while a BA is likely to also include subjects such as financial law, tax policies, etc. Both can prepare you for a master’s or a successful career in economics. 

Here are a few popular BS majors you can opt for:

• Biology
• Business
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Economics
• Engineering
• Physics

3. Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

While not an immensely popular option for the average student, Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees are commonly pursued by students with a creative or artistic flair. BFA degree programs tend to be very hands-on, requiring students to create and build projects by making use of their artistic abilities. 

Typically, BFA assessments involve the creation of a portfolio – a comprehensive body of work that showcases the students’ progress through the various stages of the program. 

Here are a few popular BFA majors:

• Art (Drawing, Painting, etc.)
• Creative Writing
• Dance
• Photography
• Music
• Graphic Design

Getting a bachelor’s degree in your field of interest can prove to be quite beneficial in the long run. Here are some of the benefits of getting a bachelor’s degree.

• Ability to work in your preferred field
• More job opportunities
• Higher earning potential
• Opportunities for networking

1. Ability to Work in Your Preferred Field

Certain roles – some even at the entry-level – only accept candidates with a bachelor’s degree. By getting one, you can guarantee eligibility for many jobs letting you build a successful career in your field of interest.

Most bachelor’s degree programs are designed to provide all the necessary information required for various positions in your field. By the time you graduate, you are likely to be well-prepared for professional roles. In this way, getting a bachelor’s can boost your confidence, which in turn makes you stand out to recruiters.

2. More Job Opportunities

Earning a bachelor’s degree can open up a wide range of job opportunities.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), graduates with a bachelor’s degree have lower unemployment rates than those with a high school diploma or an associate degree. 

Bachelor’s degree holders face fewer hurdles since they generally meet the educational requirements for most roles. The degree also allows students to develop several marketable skills that serve well in modern businesses. 

3. Higher Earning Potential

To rise up the ranks in many organizations, certain educational qualifications are expected. Several managerial roles require a bachelor’s or higher degree. Besides this, you could also receive higher pay because of your qualifications.

4. Opportunities for Networking

Whether you study online or on campus, you are likely to meet people from all over the world during your bachelor’s degree program. After graduation, your classmates could become your colleagues, a professor may become your boss, or help you land a job with their personal connections.  A bachelor’s degree program can thus help you build a strong professional network – an invaluable resource for your career and personal development.

Many top bachelor-level careers offer $100k+ yearly salaries to graduates who meet the requirements of the role.

Here are some of the highest-paying jobs you can get with a bachelor’s degree (in related fields):

Marketing Managers

Average Annual Pay (2021): $133,380

Petroleum Engineers

Average Annual Pay (2021): $130,850

Human Resources Managers

Average Annual Pay (2021): $126,230

Commercial Pilots

Average Annual Pay (2021): $134,630

A bachelor’s degree could be an incredibly valuable investment for your future. Most students can benefit from a bachelor’s degree with a relevant major.

If you already have an associate’s degree, then enrolling for a bachelor’s would be a logical next step. Many colleges allow you to transfer credits from an associate program to a related bachelor’s, which lets you earn your bachelor’s degree much faster than average. Through an associate’s program, you can earn around 60 credits which can count toward your bachelor’s. Make sure to verify the transferability of associate credits before opting to pursue this route. 

Certain careers require a bachelor’s degree. If you desire one of these careers, or if you wish to secure certain managerial positions, then you may need to earn a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.

The admission requirements for Bachelor’s degree programs may differ for each college and course, but in general, you can expect the requirements to include the following:

• High school transcripts
• Standardized test scores (such as SAT/ACT scores)
• Personal essays and/or letters of recommendation
• Application fees

International students may be required to provide additional documents which may include scores on English language tests (such as IELTS), passport copies, proof of finances, etc. It is best to reach out to the offices of the universities you wish to apply to so that you are aware of the exact requirements for your desired course. 

The cost of your bachelor’s degree can vary greatly depending on the school and program you opt for. Other factors that affect the cost of college are the duration of the program, whether your school is public or private, and whether you are an in-state or out-of-state student.

As per data from CollegeBoard, the average yearly cost of a 4-year bachelor’s program in the U.S. is between $30,000 to $60,000.

Since there are multiple factors that can affect your tuition, it would be wise to know the financial aid options available to you and those that are offered or accepted by various colleges.  Some forms of financial aid are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so make sure to do your research and fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on time.

To sum up, to fully get the answer to the question “what is a bachelor’s degree?”, it is important to understand the types of bachelor’s degrees offered, the advantages of getting one, and how it differs from an associate degree.

A bachelor’s degree is among the most popular undergraduate degree options and can prove to be a valuable investment. Earning a college bachelor’s degree can help you build a successful career in your chosen field and can also put you in a better position to earn a master’s degree.

There are several different Bachelor’s degree programs offered today, the most common of which are the Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees. Each could be a great start to your college life, but it is important to carefully understand your goals and ambitions before making a decision.