What is a bachelor’s degree? | A complete guide for freshers

Bachelor’s degree | An overview

The value of all education hinges largely upon two factors- what you learn, and how you apply it. Getting a bachelor’s degree can open doors to job opportunities, boost your earning potential, and expose you to new ideas. Here is a complete guide on what is a bachelor’s degree, how much it costs, types, and how to choose the right one for yourself. Keep reading to know more!

What is a bachelor’s degree? 

A bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate degree in which students study a subject or a combination of subjects of their choice for 3-4 years. It is a popular academic pathway designed to help you discover professional opportunities. It is often referred to as a “college degree.”

In most cases, attending school to become a professional at something, like law, medicine, or engineering, requires you to hold a bachelor’s degree in the same or a related discipline.

Is a bachelor’s degree worth it? 

Yes!

• Statistically speaking, more education translates to higher earnings.
• Moreover, most professional jobs require you to have at least a bachelor’s degree to enter into the field. The same is true for postgraduate programs. Thus, a bachelor’s degree significantly increases your chances of employment.
• When it comes to academic value, almost all bachelor’s Degrees are valued equally. The cost benefits and ROI (Return on Investment) of your bachelor’s degree, however, can vary significantly. For instance, bachelor’s degrees in the STEM fields have one of the highest ROIs, followed by other majors like arts, commerce, or architecture.

What is an associate degree? 

An associate degree is a little different from a bachelor’s degree. It is common for people to test the waters of an academic field with an associate degree and then transfer to a bachelor’s degree program. An associate degree in any field can take up to 2 years to complete.

• While an associate degree typically teaches you the basic skills and know-how about a field (enough to get a job), a bachelor’s degree program will prepare you in an all-around fashion.
• A bachelor’s degree doesn’t just provide the basic knowledge and skills of a domain necessary to get a job, but also gives a deeper peek into the subject as a whole. 

Apart from an associate bachelor’s degree, some universities also offer something called an Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree Program, which is online and requires you to transfer certain credits from your past high school subjects. 

How much would it cost? 

Tuition for a bachelor’s degree varies based on various factors. It is different for different schools and courses, and also depends on the country/state you are planning to study in. Published fees are rarely what you end up paying; although grants, scholarships, and financial aid can often reduce the actual cost significantly.

• Across the world, most of the cost depends on the type of institution (private or public), the education policies of the state, available financing options (grants, scholarships, and financial aid), and whether you are a resident of the same state/country or not.
• The field you are in also matters heavily. For example, degrees like engineering and medical end up costing more than degrees in political sciences or mass media. 
• Online Degrees cost less than their on-campus counterparts, but the factors influencing them remain the same.
• Some colleges may also provide distance education, the rates of which also differ from field-to-field and college-to-college.

Financial aid usually affects the cost of the degree the most. You can avail of financial assistance in various forms such as-

• Grants 
• Scholarships 
• Student Loans 
• Tax Benefits 
• Military family aid 
• Quota discounts (relevant to India)
• Minority concession (relevant to India) 
• Economically Backward Class (EBC) concession (relevant to India) etc.

In the US, 4-year programs cost anywhere between $9000 and $30000, whereas, in India, they range from ⚹3,00,000 to ⚹12,00,000. 

How to pick the right Bachelor’s Degree? 

Picking the right bachelor’s degree may seem daunting, but worry not, we are here to help! Your major should be based on answers to some very particular questions. Like-

• Why are you trying to get a Bachelor’s Degree? 
• Does the major of your choice align with your interests/passion and skills? 
• Which particular program will lead to a better outcome, both financially and knowledge-wise? 
• How much does it cost? 
• How much flexibility does the program offer? 
• Are you considering the bachelor’s degree after a 2-year associate course, or jumping in from scratch? 
• Will this bachelor’s degree translate to a master’s degree or a doctorate or a job? 

Some careers may require certain pre-requisite courses or certifications before you can join a bachelor’s degree program.

Types of Bachelor’s degrees

The most encouraging part of trying to find the right degree for yourself are the umpteen options. There is a Bachelor’s Degree for practically anything that can come to mind. From conventional degrees like Bachelor’s in Science and a Bachelor’s in Engineering to a Bachelor’s in Digital Mapping or Bachelor’s in Memes (yes, it’s real!). 

We have listed some of the most popular Bachelor’s Degrees below-

1. Bachelor of Science (BS or BSc) 

A Bachelor of Science targets very specific concentrations like computer science, business, biology, mathematics, chemistry, or economics. Students pursuing a BSc, more often than not, tend to go on for a Master’s Degree too. This is due to the highly competitive environment in these fields and incredibly high-paying positions for specialists. A BSs. degree usually lasts for three to four years.

2. Bachelor of Arts (BA Degree) 

A Bachelor of Arts degree focuses on the exploration of areas such as liberal arts, psychology, journalism, modern languages, digital media and communications, etc. BA students enjoy very peculiar freedom – one of customizing their education to match their academic or career aspirations. For example, a student could complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and then move on to a Master’s in Sales and Business. It takes around 3 years to obtain a BA Degree in most countries. 

3. Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA Degree) 

A Bachelor’s in Fine Arts pushes you to explore the depths of specific competencies like writing or theatre. BFA is great for all art forms from dancers, singers, actors, and writers to designers, sculptors, and painters alike. BFA graduates usually enter studio-based spheres like theatre or art appraisal. The main difference between a BFA and a BA is the depth of topics they cover and the tendency to focus on a specific concentration against general studies. It usually takes around 3-4 years to earn a BFA degree. 

4. Bachelor of Engineering (BE or BEng Degree) 

A Bachelor’s in Engineering usually lasts for 3-5 years, depending on the specialization chosen by the student. It is granted for various disciplines of engineering. Academically it is equivalent to a Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree, in a way that it opens up avenues for students to pursue a Master’s Degree for further specialization. Here are some areas for which a B.E. Degree can be awarded

• • Computer Science
  • Electronics and Telecommunications 
  • Electrical 
  • Mechanical 
  • Chemical
  • Civil 
  • Instrumentation 
  • Biochemical and Biomedical (Biotechnology)
  • Aerospace/Aeronautical 
  • Mechatronics and Robotics 
  • Environmental 
  • Financial 
  • Systems and Industrial 
  • Agricultural
  • Manufacturing 
  • Petroleum and Geological 
  • Marine 
  • Metallurgical and Mining etc.

5. Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA Degree) 

This is a bachelor-level course for a Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree. A BBA Degree offers an overview of all subjects related to starting and running a business. It helps you understand how companies, economies, and markets work. Typical courses in a BBA program include accounting, management, entrepreneurship, and so on. 

BBA itself has sub-concentrations in it, sort of like ‘child degrees.’ If you want to learn more about the math and analytical side of running a company, then you could opt for a Bachelor in Science of Business Administration (BSBA). If you are more into the general management and administration end of running a business or company, then you may even opt for a Bachelor’s in Business Management (BBM). A Bachelor’s in Business Administration, or any of its child degrees, usually last around 3 years. 

6. Bachelor of Law (LLB) 

Needless to say, a Bachelor of Law teaches you about the law of the land. An LLB Degree doesn’t exist in the US as of yet. In the UK, however, it is among the most popular degrees of all time. You need to have a Law Degree and pass the Bar Exams to become a lawyer. The duration of an LLB degree is typically around 3 years. 

7. Bachelor in Applied Sciences (BAS Degree) 

More popular in the US and Canada, a BAS Degree is considered as an academic equivalent to a BE Degree. In colleges across the US, Canada, and the Netherlands, BAS is a technical professional degree (focused more on application than theory). It is awarded to experienced adults that hold professional certifications, or people who are interested in advancing their skills for the workplace. It usually takes around 3-4 years to complete. 

8. Bachelor of Mass Media (BMM Degree) 

This is more prevalent in India and includes courses about mass media, advertising, marketing, etc. This is a 3-year course and is widely preferred as a proxy for a digital marketing degree or certification.

9. Bachelor of Commerce (BCom Degree) 

A Bachelor’s in Commerce ensures that the student is proficient in accounting, statistics, commerce, taxation, and business operations. It’s usually considered the first step towards a commercial job role. This course lasts between 3-3.5 years depending on the specialization you have chosen. 

10. Bachelor of Management Studies (B.M.S. Degree) 

A Bachelor’s in Management studies will make you proficient in areas like business management, accounting, economics, strategy, and administration. This is a 3-year course and is usually a precursor to a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) Degree. 

How to choose a major?

Choose your major (field of interest) very carefully-

• One of the major things to realize is that your field of study should be in alignment with your strengths and passion.
• Research well about the impacts and scopes of your chosen profession.
• The next should be to work out costs and apply for any relevant financial assistance. This can lower your tuition costs considerably.
• If you are applying to more than one school, be sure to compare the respective financial aid packages available with each of them. 

Key takeaways

• Bachelor’s degrees usually take around 3-4 years to complete, which is roughly 120-semester credits in the US. 
• Subjects of study can be anything under the sun. These days there is a Bachelor’s Degree available for psychology or computer science to nursing, digital media, literature, or even astrobiology or bakery sciences. 
• Traditionally Bachelor’s Degrees are obtained in person at a campus, but these days it is increasingly becoming easier and more popular to obtain one online. 
• Some bachelor’s degree programs can last up to 5-6 years, depending on the program structure and the subject.
• Though it is usually pursued immediately after a diploma/high school/grade 12, it is not uncommon to pursue one later on in life. 

Feel free to reach out to us for any help regarding the application process or even helping you choose the right course and university.

Liked this blog? Read next: MPhil – 7 amazing reasons to pursue Master of Philosophy!

Happy Hunting!

FAQs

Q1. What are the admission requirements for a bachelor’s degree?

Answer- Admission requirements for a bachelor’s degree vary among institutions. Generally, they include a high school diploma or equivalent, standardized test scores (such as the SAT or ACT), letters of recommendation, a personal statement or essay, and sometimes an interview.

Q2. Can I pursue a bachelor’s degree in a different field than my high school studies?

Answer- Yes, many students choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in a field different from what they studied in high school. However, some programs may have specific prerequisites or requirements for certain subjects, so it’s important to check the admission requirements of the particular program you’re interested in.

Q3. Can I work while pursuing a bachelor’s degree?

Answer- Yes, many students work part-time or even full-time while pursuing a bachelor’s degree. However, it’s essential to strike a balance between work and academics to ensure success in both areas.