Types of Bachelor's Degrees & Programs [Updated Guide 2024]

A bachelor’s level degree is a renowned academic path for students who wish to be able to access career possibilities.

The three most famous types of Bachelor’s degrees

Bachelor of Arts (B.A. degree)
Master in Science (B.S. level)
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A. degree).

What is a BA Degree?

An undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree focuses on studying broad areas of the liberal arts, which means that students must take more minor specialization courses. Students are required to study various liberal arts disciplines like humanities history, literature and communications, social sciences and the study of a foreign language. Students can choose from a variety of classes that satisfy each of the requirements for liberal arts. Students can adapt their learning according to their interests. The B.A. degree allows students to learn in various areas in a particular field, so the B.A. degree typically requires fewer credits than those who have a B.S. degree.

What is a BS Degree?

A Bachelor of Science degree is intended to give students education more specific to their chosen field. The B.S. degree will require more credits than the B.A. degree since the B.S. qualification is concentrated on a particular area of study. Students must concentrate on their chosen field at the most in-depth level. Students are less likely to study classes not part of their chosen field. It is a B.S. degree typically available in scientific and technical subjects such as engineering, technology, math, nursing, computer science, and biochemistry. While it is true that a B.S. degree is typically available in scientific degrees, however, some schools also have B.S. degrees in particular fields. This study method enhances the working adult’s likelihood of advancing to more lucrative positions within their chosen field of study. For instance, Bachelor’s degrees in medical fields tend to have Bachelor of Science degrees.

What is a B.F.A.?

A Bachelor of Fine Arts is an academic degree that is either professional or vocational. The B.F.A. program aims to enable students to develop specific skills and enter professional studio-based areas like art, design, fine arts and other unique arts and crafts. It includes actors, dancers, and singers to sculptors and painters, just a few. Similar to the B.S. diploma, the primary distinction between the B.F.A. and the B.A. program is that the latter tend to concentrate on specific areas of study rather than general studies. During a B.F.A majority of the course is dedicated to either performing or visual arts. Only about one-third of the curriculum is the study of Liberal Arts (History, Literature, Psychology, etc. ).

Tip

Should you pursue another bachelor’s degree? In the majority of cases, there is no need to do so. If you hold a bachelor’s degree in one field, such as Art History, and want to transition to be employed in a different area, for example, Human Resources, consider adding the certificate to your resume instead of seeking another bachelor’s degree. With a certificate earned, you add a “major” subject to the general education courses of your Bachelor’s degree.

What are the reasons to earn a Bachelor’s degree?

A bachelor’s degree is the education required to be eligible for many positions in the present economy. If a Bachelor’s degree isn’t needed, employers are likely to choose those with the degree over those with lesser education.

Although there are some professions where those with an associate’s diploma can make the same amount or more significant than those who have an undergraduate degree, a bachelor’s degree will result in more lucrative earnings over the long term than lesser qualifications in education.

What are the various other types of Bachelor’s Degrees?

The U.S. Department of Education recognizes over 80 different types of Bachelor’s degrees.

Master of Architecture (B.Arch.)
Bachelor of Arts (B.A. )
Master of Business (B.B.)
Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.)
Master in Science in Management (B.S.B.)
Master of Canon Law (B.C.L.)
Master of Computer Science (B.C.S.)
The Bachelor’s degree is Bachelor in Science of Computer Science (B.S.C.S.)
Degree Bachelor of Criminal Justice (B.C.J.)
The Bachelor’s degree is Bachelor in Science with a concentration in Criminal Justice (B.S.C.J.)
The Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.)
Degree Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.)
Master in Science in the field of Education (B.S.Ed.)
Master of Wireless Engineering (B.W.E.)
Degree in Engineering (B.E./B.Eng.)
The Bachelor’s degree is Bachelor in Science in engineering (B.S.E./B.S.EN.)
Degree Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering (B.S.A.E.)
Master of Science in Agricultural Engineering (B.S.A.E.)
Master of Science in Biological Systems (B.S.B.S.)
The Bachelor of Science in Biosystems and Agriculture Engineering (B.S.B.A.E.)
Master of Science in Biological Engineering (B.S.B.E.)
The Bachelor in Biomedical Engineering (B.B.m.E.)
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering (B.S.B.E./B.S.B.M.E.)
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (B.S.Ch.E.)
Master in Science with a major in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (B.S.Ch.B.E.)
The Bachelor in Science with a major in Chemical and Materials Engineering (B.S.C.M.E.)
Degree in Bachelor in Civil Engineering (B.C.E.)
Master in Science of Civil Engineering (B.S.C.E.)
Master of Science in Civil and Infrastructure Engineering (B.S.-C.I.E.)
Master of Computer Engineering (B.Comp.E.)
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (B.S.C.E./B.S.Cmp.E.)
Master in Science with a major in Computer Science and Engineering (B.S.C.S.E.)
The Bachelor’s degree in Science of Electrical and Computer Engineering (B.S.E.C.E.)
Degree in Electrical Engineering (B.E.E.)
Degree Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E.)
Master in Science of Engineering Management (B.S.E.Mgt.)
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering (B.S.En.E./B.S.Env.E.)
Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Systems Engineering (B.S.M.S.E.)
Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and Engineering (B.S.M.S.E.)
Degree Bachelor of Science in Materials Engineering (B.S.MA.E.)
Master in Mechanical Engineering (B.M.E.)
Degree Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (B.S.M.E.)
The Bachelor of Science in the field of Metallurgical Engineering (B.S.Mt.E.)
Master of Science in Mining Engineering (B.S.MI.E.)
Master of Science in Systems (B.S.-SYST.)
Degree in Bachelor in Software Engineering (B.S.W.E.)
Master of Science in Software Engineering (B.S.S.E.)
Bachelor of Systems Engineering (B.S.E.)
Master of Science in Systems Engineering (B.S.S.E.)
Bachelor of Engineering Technology (B.E.T.)
Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology (B.S.E.T.)
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Technology (B.S.C.E.T./B.S.Civ. E.T.)
Master in Science of Computer Engineering Technology (B.S.C.E.T.)
Master in Science of Science in Construction Engineering Technology (B.S.Con. E.T.)
The Bachelor in Science of Drafting Technology (B.S.D.D.T.)
Bachelor of Science in Electrical/Electronics Technology (B.S.E.T.)
Master in Science with a concentration in Electrical Engineering Technology (B.S.E.E.T.)
The Bachelor of Science is of Science in Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology (B.S.E.M.E.T.)
The Bachelor in Science of Mechanical Engineering Technology (B.S.M.E.T.)
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)
The Bachelor of Forestry (B.F.)
Bachelor of Science in Forest Research (B.S.For.Res.)
Master of Hebrew Letters (B.H.L.)
Bachelor of Journalism (B.J.)
Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.)
The Bachelor in Liberal Studies (B.L.S.)
The Bachelor in Literature (B.Lit.)
Master of Marine Science (B.M.S.)
Bachelor of Music (B.M.)
Master of Science in Nursing (B.N.)
Master in Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)
Master of Pharmacy (B.Pharm.)
Master in Philosophy (B.Phil.)
The Bachelor in Religious Education (B.R.E.)
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Master in Science with a major in Chemistry (B.S.Ch.)
Master of Technology (B.T./B.Tech.)

What types of Bachelor’s Degrees can I Study in the United States?

A.D. Associate degree

An Associate Degree (A.D.) is especially prevalent across North America and is awarded following a two-year course of study. Some colleges offer a 2+2 course where after having completed An Associate’s Degree, students may finish their Bachelor’s degree faster by completing it in only two years.
Other than institutions in the UK, Ireland and France, for most of Europe, associate degrees are typically not considered a higher education degree but rather a professional certificate required to acquire specific technical or practical skills.

B.Sc. Degree in Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Science (B. Sc. ) is an undergraduate type degree that emphasizes the integration of theory with research.
A Bachelor of Science degree is awarded chiefly to students in Natural Sciences, Engineering& Technology, Mathematics, Computer Science and I.T. The length of study of the Bachelor of Science program is between three and four years.
In certain instances, B.S. or B.Sc. degree can be found in study areas such as:

- Business
- Nursing
- Medicine
- Law
- Hospitality
- Architecture

Learn further about the distinction between The Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science.

B.A.S. is a Master of Applied Science degree

In the country in which you live, the Bachelor of Applied Science can have an entirely different meaning depending on the country in which it is located. In most cases, the word Bachelor of Applied Science refers to a course of study with a lot of practical applications. A good example is the nursing degree .
In Canada and the Netherlands, the B.A.S. degree is a professional qualification equivalent to a B.Eng. Bachelor of Engineering program.
In universities and colleges within the United States, a B.A.S. is a professional technical degree typically regarded as an applied Baccalaureate. The students who usually seek the Bachelor of Applied Science are experienced professionals who have professional certificates and are keen on advancing their technical abilities to be more productive in the workplace.

B.B.A – Bachelor in Business Administration

The less well-known and lesser-known cousin that is part of the M.B.A. degree, the B.B.A. degree gives you a comprehensive overview of all topics related to Business Administration to help you comprehend the workings of a company. Standard courses are Accounting Economics, Management, Economics, and so on.
B.B.A.s typically are the most thorough management degree in business practice and theory. If you wish to concentrate on a particular aspect of running your business, you could consider one of the following kinds of B.B.A.s:

- B.B.M.s, also known as Bachelor’s Degrees in Business Management, teach you how to lead and manage aspects of running a business;
- B.S.B.A. is also known as a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration which teaches you the analytical and math aspects of the business.

LL.B. – – Bachelor of Laws degree

The Bachelor of Laws (LL.B. ) is awarded when your studies are in the field of Law. When compared to other Bachelor’s degrees like those awarded by the Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) as well as The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or the Bachelor of Laws (B.L.) Bachelor of Laws is not as popular, but it is.
It’s not offered in the U.S.; for example. it is most popular in the U.K. The degree opens the door to becoming a lawyer providing you’ve had practice and passed bar examinations.

B.A. Master of Arts Degree

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A. ) is one of the highest popular undergraduate degrees. It typically lasts between three and four years to finish. It is usually awarded to students who are enrolled in an undergraduate program in Liberal Arts or in study areas that are included in Humanities as well as Social Science, for example:

But, that does not mean that you escaped the challenges of Mathematical Sciences, Economics, Economics and other particular subjects. Many B.A. studies incorporate them; however, the course is more light. The most important thing about the Bachelor of Art program is focused on theoretical knowledge.

Exception: B.A. in the U.K.

In the U.K. For instance, in the United Kingdom, traditional universities like Cambridge and Oxford have Bachelor of arts degrees applicable to any field of study, not just the sciences. Confused? Here are a few examples:

B.Eng. A Bachelor in Engineering degree

A Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng. (also known as B.E.) is awarded after completing at least one Engineering science. Depending on the specialization, the degree could last from three to five years.
An undergraduate degree in Engineering is academically equal to an academically equivalent Bachelor of Science degree and permits consecutive Master’s studies. Because of the many options for specializations within the field of Engineering and Technology, there are various degrees, like:
- - The Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.Sc. for Eng.)
  - The Bachelor of Business Administration and Engineering (B.B.A.E.)
- The degree of Bachelor of Business Engineering (B.B.E.)

What’s the Cost?

The cost of a bachelor’s education differs from school-college, and the fees published aren’t what most students have to pay. Financial aid and grants typically significantly lower the cost of tuition. Therefore, a more expensive institution may offer enough aid to lower the tuition cost than a lower institution that offers lower aid.

The College Board published a report that states that full-time students’ median tuition rate in private or public, non-profit four-year colleges for the 2019-2020 academic year is $12,710. Statistics show that 25% of students will pay less than $9,000, while 26% attend institutions that charge more than $30,000. This is a significant variation of intuition that can influence a student’s financial position.

The factors that affect affordability be but aren’t only limited to the distinction between public and private. Private institutions and the state in which you study, aid available, and whether you are an out-of-state or in-state resident.

Bachelor’s degrees are offered online based on in-state and out-of-state status. Some colleges might offer the same rate for distance learning regardless of residency. However, these rates can vary from one school to the next and program to program.
Financial aid is a significant factor in the price of a bachelor’s. There are numerous choices when you think about financial aid, such as scholarships and grants to loans and military family aid tax benefits and much more.

Tips

You’re already on the right website that will help you in your search to find the best degree program and school.
Decide on your preferred major based on your goals for your career, your interests, and your previous academic and work experiences, then look into cost rankings and seek out the most affordable financing options.

How to Select the Best Bachelor’s Degree Program

When is the best time to seek an Associate’s Degree?

- - Be aware that a bachelor’s degree is necessary for your profession.
  - Have earned at least 60-semester college credits or possess at the very least one associate degree
  - Ensure that a professional or graduate degree is required to meet your long-term career goals.

The requirements for applying vary significantly between institutions. The majority of colleges require you possess an official high school diploma or G.E.D. Equivalent. They will require you to complete an application. You may also require additional documents like official transcripts, assessment forms, etc.

Before you apply, be sure to consider these crucial questions:

- - Which degree program specifically can meet the requirements for my desired career?
  - Does the Bachelor’s diploma transfer into a master’s degree if I decide to pursue my education soon?
  - What is the cost to get the Bachelor’s diploma I want?
  - What type of financial assistance can I avail myself of?
  - How much flexibility do I require?

Types of Bachelor’s Degrees & Programs [Updated Guide 2024]