Educating Yourself on the Importance of the Two Main Types of Bachelor’s Degrees – Niche Blog
For almost 62% of high school graduates, the culmination of their educational life comes the day they receive their Bachelor’s Degree. This degree will open new doors for you, allowing you to cross the threshold from student to adult as you venture into the professional world. However, there isn’t one uniform type of Bachelor’s Degree that all graduates receive. A Bachelor of Arts degree will provide you with a very different postsecondary educational journey than a Bachelor of Science degree. That’s why you should understand the differences between a B.A. and a B.S., how colleges choose those degree options, and what employers think of these degrees so that you can determine which one is best for you.
The Two Types of Bachelor’s Degrees
As explained by Britannica, Bachelor’s Degrees are “undergraduate academic degrees” given to college graduates, signifying their successful completion of coursework in a specific field of study. Almost all college graduates will be given one of two types of Bachelor’s Degrees: a Bachelor of Arts degree (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.).
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts degree focuses on the development of soft skills with an emphasis on general education. This degree path typically emphasizes creativity, social sciences, and the humanities. Therefore, psychology, history, English, and liberal arts majors will usually be awarded a B.A.
Bachelor of Science
The Bachelor of Science degree is more defined and relates to the development of hard skills that can be applied in a specific career field, such as health science, mathematics, or engineering. B.S. degree-holders usually major in science, technology, nursing, or business.
How do they differ?
As explained by the non-profit Coalition for College, B.A. degrees are more generalized, while B.S. degrees are more specialized.
A Bachelor of Arts degree focuses on fields like liberal arts and natural sciences while emphasizing topics such as humanities and social sciences. This degree usually allows you to take more elective courses, enabling you to venture into many different areas of study. B.A. degrees often have language requirements, and you’ll have to take courses in history, literature, or philosophy, too. Lastly, B.A. degree-holders will likely work in the fields of communications, social work, education, or the arts.
A Bachelor of Science degree is more technically focused. While pursuing a B.S., you’ll have a highly mapped-out education that requires completing courses in math, science, and analytical skills. Many B.S. degree-holders need to complete assignments outside the classroom as well, like lab work or research-based projects. If you graduate with a B.S., you’ll typically work in the business, computer science, healthcare, or engineering sectors.
Two Different Pathways for One Major
Often, colleges will choose whether they want to offer a B.A. or a B.S. in a specific area of study. However, some schools will offer a B.A. or a B.S. for one major, which can lead to very different educational journeys even though you’ll be getting a Bachelor’s Degree either way.
Example One: Business Administration
B.A. in Business Administration
A B.A. in business administration from UC focuses on “liberal arts studies and general business knowledge,” giving you skills that can be used in business or other fields. “Those pursuing the B.A. degree are typically looking to not only be business-savvy, but people-savvy as well,” the school explained, “and they may be strong writers and communicators looking for variety in the job duties.”
B.S. in Business Administration
Those pursuing a B.S. in business administration from the University of Cincinnati will spend more time learning about mathematics and how it can be applied to the world of business. A B.S. will help you enter specialized fields in this industry, like economics, accounting, and business analytics.
Though you’ll graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in business administration regardless, the B.A. will give you a more generalized education that can be applied across numerous career fields, while the B.S. will provide a more specialized and math-focused experience.
Example Two: Biology
Biology is another major that offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees, specifically at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois.
B.A. in Biology
A B.A. in Biology from North Central College allows students to explore other areas of interest on top of biology, combining “core science courses” with “more elective study in other fields.”
B.S. in Biology
If you pursue a B.S. in Biology at this school, you will take “almost exclusively in classes on biology and other natural science fields,” giving you the chance to specialize in a specific scientific field.
The school says that the first two years of your educational journey will look the same when trying to get a B.A. or a B.S. in Biology, but the pathways diverge after that. B.S. pursuers “might specialize in either biomedical or biological science,” which would require completing courses in chemistry and physics. Meanwhile, the B.A. pursuer could study language, art, or maybe even try to become a double major.
How are Bachelor’s Degrees Viewed?
The good news is that there isn’t one type of degree that is more valuable than another.
Colleges and Universities
Nora Demleitner, the former president of St. John’s College in Maryland, told U.S. News & World Report in 2023 that the ability to demonstrate skills and an understanding of your field of study is more important than the type of degree you earned.
“It’s really about skills,” she said. “I think, increasingly so, what employers are looking for is critical reasoning, really first-rate communication skills – oral and writing – and they don’t really care that much how you acquire them.”
Ellen Schendel, the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, agreed with Demleitner’s statement, adding, “Both are useful pathways and just demonstrate the breadth of options one has in matriculating with a degree.”
Employers
Employers are more focused on the skills and abilities that a person brings to the table, and not the type of degree they earned, Atlantic International University claims.
Nevertheless, certain degrees could be more beneficial than others when trying to break into different industries. Considering the expected growth of Artificial Intelligence and the fact that 33% of employees working in advanced economies are exposed to A.I., some employers might look favorably at B.S. degrees. However, there is a growing demand for postsecondary educators (7% growth rate expected between 2024 and 2034), mental health counselors (17% expected growth rate), and therapists (13% expected growth rate). For these career paths, a B.A. degree could arguably be better.
Which Bachelor’s Degree is Right for You?
Every person is unique and has different expectations for their educational journey. What might make sense for one person might not for another.
You should also think about your post-graduation plans. If you wanted to pursue a law degree, the American College of Education recommends a B.A. Conversely, med schools usually look for prospective students who have a B.S. in a scientific field.
You should consider a Bachelor of Arts degree if you:
- Want flexibility with your schedule,
- Wish to explore many different fields of study during college,
- Value creative activities like art, writing, or music,
- And hope to find a career in communications, arts, education, or social work.
You should consider a Bachelor of Science degree if you:
- Thrive in highly structured, meticulously-scheduled environments,
- Know exactly what field of interest you want study,
- Value STEM subjects,
- And want to work in fields like healthcare, technology, business, or engineering.
In Conclusion…
While there are differences in the paths these degrees will take you down, they’re essentially two sides of the same coin. A B.A. will not provide you with the same experience as a B.S., but that’s just something you’ll have to consider when picking your college major. Thankfully, there are no wrong decisions because employers are more concerned with the skills you obtain and not the label on your degree. As long as you take advantage of your college education, both options can lead you down the road to success.
