What is a Bachelor's Degree?

A bachelor's degree is the highest level of undergraduate degree and can typically be completed in four years, depending on the institution. Bachelor's degrees cover a particular discipline of your choosing and consist of a mixture of required general education courses, program-specific courses and electives.

Bachelor's degrees are typically categorized as either a Bachelor of Science (BS or BSc) or a Bachelor of Arts (BA). There are additional bachelor's degree classifications, such as a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), but these tend to be more highly specialized to a particular field.

A bachelor's degree differs from other degrees in a few ways. Bachelor’s and associate degrees are both undergraduate degrees that help you gain a deeper understanding of a particular subject. An associate degree, however, usually only requires two years of study and is more foundational. A bachelor's degree is the highest degree you can earn at the undergraduate level.

A bachelor's degree is also different from a master's degree or doctorate, as those are both graduate degrees. In order to earn a master's degree, you must already have a bachelor's degree.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, people with a bachelor's degree may earn higher wages than those with only a high-school diploma or equivalent. Earning a bachelor's can also provide students with a sense of personal accomplishment.

There are also a number of jobs that you can only get with a bachelor's degree. Certain professions do not accept candidates who have not attended college, and a bachelor's degree may help you meet the minimum application requirements for certain jobs.