What Is a Bachelor's Degree? Definition, Types, Credits, Cost & Careers (2025 Guide)
How a Bachelor's Fits Into the Education Ladder
A bachelor's degree is typically the first long-form university credential after high school, positioned above an associate degree and below a master's degree or doctorate. Internationally, it aligns with ISCED Level 6 (Bachelor's or equivalent).[2]
Types of Bachelor's Degrees (BA vs. BS and More)
The two most common bachelor's degrees are the BA (Bachelor of Arts) and the BS (Bachelor of Science). In general, BA programs emphasize breadth in the humanities and social sciences, while BS programs emphasize math, science, and technical depth. Either can prepare you for graduate study depending on the field.[4]
Other common types include the BFA (Fine Arts), BBA (Business Administration), and BAS (Applied Science), the latter often designed for students who transfer from an applied associate degree.[5]
| Type | Typical Focus | Good Fit If You... |
|---|---|---|
| BA | Humanities, social sciences; broader electives | Want breadth and flexibility; may have a language requirement |
| BS | Math, science, quantitative depth | Prefer analytics, labs, or research |
| BFA | Studio-intensive arts | Want conservatory-style training |
| BBA | Business core & functional areas | Plan for management, finance, or marketing |
| BAS | Applied/technical pathways | Are bringing in an Applied Associate (AAS) and want a bachelor's |
BA vs. BS: Key Differences
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Breadth-first route with more humanities and social science; flexible for minors or languages.
Common majors: communications, psychology, international studies, fine arts
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Depth-first route with more math, lab, and technical coursework; aligns with STEM-heavy majors.
Common majors: computer science, biology, data science, engineering
Credits & Program Length
Most U.S. bachelor's programs require ~120 semester credits (or ~180 quarter credits). Many students finish in about four years of full-time study; some programs may take longer, and part-time students often take more time. Universities commonly codify the 120-credit minimum in their catalogs.[1][6]
Planning Your Timeline
The typical path to completing a 120-credit bachelor's degree involves:
- Full-time pace: 15 credits per semester (Fall & Spring) = 8 semesters = 4 years
- Accelerated pace: Adding summer terms (3 terms/year) can reduce time by 25-33%
- Part-time pace: 6-9 credits per semester typically takes 6-8 years
- AP/IB/CLEP credits: Can reduce total time by one or more semesters
Example: A student with 30 completed credits plus 6 AP credits (36 total) who takes 15 credits per semester would need about 5.5-6 more semesters, or approximately 3 years to finish.
How Much Does a Bachelor's Degree Cost? (2024-25)
Average published tuition and fees for full-time, in-state students at public four-year colleges are $11,610 in 2024-25. When you include typical housing, food, books, and other expenses, the average total annual budget is about $29,910 for in-state public students and $62,990 at private nonprofit colleges.[7][8]
Published prices do not reflect grants and scholarships that can reduce what students actually pay.
Cost Comparison by School Type (Annual, 2024-25)
| School Type | Tuition & Fees | Total Annual Budget | 4-Year Total (Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public 4-year (in-state) | $11,610 | $29,910 | ~$119,640 |
| Public 4-year (out-of-state) | $30,080 | $49,080 | ~$196,320 |
| Private nonprofit 4-year | $43,350 | $62,990 | ~$251,960 |
Source: College Board, Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid 2024
Compare Degree Levels
| Credential | Typical Credits | Typical Full-Time Length | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate (AA/AAS/AS) | ~60 | ~2 years | Associate degree |
| Bachelor's (BA/BS/BAS/BBA) | ~120 | ~4 years | (You're here) |
| Master's (MA/MS/MBA) | ~30-60 (post-bachelor) | ~1-3 years | Master's degree |
Return on Investment
A bachelor's degree typically provides significant lifetime earnings advantages:
- Median wage for bachelor's-level jobs: $92,260 per year (2024)
- Median wage for high school-level jobs: $47,150 per year (2024)
- Annual earnings advantage: ~$45,110 per year
- Simple payback illustration: With a ~$120,000 total in-state public cost and a ~$45,110 median earnings gap, many grads could recoup costs in roughly 3 years, but real timelines vary widely by field, location, aid, and employment.
Cumulative Earnings Timeline: Bachelor's vs. High School
This chart shows cumulative earnings over 10 years. The bachelor's line starts negative due to education costs, then crosses over.
These are median figures and vary significantly by field, location, and individual circumstances. Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024[9]
What You Can Do With a Bachelor's: Jobs & Salaries
Across the U.S. labor market, the median annual wage for occupations that typically require a bachelor's degree for entry was $92,260 in 2024, compared with $47,150 for occupations that typically require only a high school diploma.[9]
Job Growth by Bachelor-Level Career (2024-2034)
Not all bachelor's-level careers are growing at the same rate. Data science and software development lead the pack with much faster than average growth.
Projected growth rates based on BLS 2024-2034 employment projections
| Occupation (Bachelor's-level entry) | 2024 Median Pay | 10-year Outlook | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software developers | $131,450 | +15% (much faster than average) | BLS OOH |
| Data scientists | $108,020 | +36% (much faster than average) | BLS OOH |
| Electrical engineers | $112,000 | +6% (faster than average) | BLS OOH |
| Operations managers | $103,840 | +7% (faster than average) | BLS OOH |
| Financial analysts | $99,000 | +9% (faster than average) | BLS OOH |
| Registered nurses (BSN commonly preferred) | $93,600 | +5% (faster than average) | BLS OOH |
| Accountants and auditors | $81,680 | +5% (faster than average) | BLS OOH |
| Market research analysts | $76,950 | +7% (much faster than average) | BLS OOH |
| Elementary school teachers | $63,670 | +1% (slower than average) | BLS OOH |
| Graphic designers | $61,300 | +2% (slower than average) | BLS OOH |
Median wages reflect the midpoint of earnings and are not entry-level salaries. Growth rates show projected 2023-2033 employment change.
How to Earn a Bachelor's Degree: Smart Paths
- Start at community college (2+2). Complete lower-division coursework affordably, then transfer to finish a bachelor's. Look for formal transfer/articulation agreements.
- Earn credits early. AP/IB/CLEP exams and dual enrollment can trim time and cost.
- Online or hybrid programs. Flexibility to learn anywhere - make sure the school and program are properly accredited (see below).
- Accelerated formats. Five to ten week courses offered year round can reduce time to completion.
- Competency-based education (CBE). Advance by demonstrating mastery rather than seat time - great if you have prior experience.
Accreditation check: Verify institutional or programmatic accreditation in official databases such as the U.S. Department of Education's Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) and CHEA's directories.[15][16]
Is It "Bachelor Degree" or "Bachelor's Degree"?
The grammatically correct generic form is bachelor's degree with an apostrophe. Use capitalized forms without an apostrophe when naming the specific credential (e.g., Bachelor of Arts).
FAQ
How many years is a bachelor's degree?
About four years of full-time study for most students, though pace varies by program and circumstances.[1]
What's the difference between a BA and a BS?
BA programs emphasize liberal arts breadth; BS programs emphasize quantitative and scientific depth. Choose based on interests and the norms of your field.[4]
Do U.S. schools ever accept three-year international bachelor's degrees?
Some do, often after a formal credential evaluation (e.g., by WES). Policies vary by institution and program.[18]
How many credits do I need?
Universities commonly require 120 semester credits for bachelor's programs.[6]
Methodology & Notes
Costs use College Board 2024-25 published averages for annual budgets. Wage data references BLS 2024 medians for selected occupations and education levels. Program lengths follow EducationUSA and ASU catalog references.
This page is informational and not financial advice. Always verify current tuition, accreditation, and program requirements with the institution.
Sources
- EducationUSA. "Undergraduate - Research Your Options: The bachelor's degree is usually completed in four years of full-time study." educationusa.state.gov.
- UNESCO Institute for Statistics. "ISCED 6: Bachelor's or equivalent level." uis.unesco.org.
- EducationUSA. "FAQ: Undergraduate programs ... lead to an associate (two-year) or a bachelor (four-year) degree." educationusa.state.gov.
- Arizona State University (ASU Online). "BA vs. BS: Differences Between the Two Degrees." asuonline.asu.edu.
- ASU Online. "Project Management - Bachelor of Applied Science." asuonline.asu.edu.
- Arizona State University Academic Catalog. "University Undergraduate Graduation Requirements - 120 credit hours minimum." catalog.asu.edu.
- College Board. "Trends in College Pricing 2024 - Highlights." research.collegeboard.org.
- College Board. "Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid 2024." PDF. research.collegeboard.org.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). "Employment, wages, and projected change in employment by typical entry-level education." bls.gov.
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. "Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers." bls.gov.
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. "Registered Nurses." bls.gov.
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. "Accountants and Auditors." bls.gov.
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. "Market Research Analysts." bls.gov.
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. "Graphic Designers." bls.gov.
- U.S. Department of Education. "Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP)." ope.ed.gov.
- Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). "Directories / Database of Accredited Institutions and Programs." chea.org.
- Merriam–Webster. "Bachelor's degree — definition." merriam-webster.com.
- World Education Services (WES). "Recognizing the Three-Year Indian Bachelor's Degree in the U.S." wes.org.
