What Is a Bachelor’s Degree? Requirements, Costs, and More

What is a Bachelor’s Degree?

A bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate degree in which you study a subject of your choice at an academic institution, and is commonly known as a college degree. Getting a bachelor’s degree can enhance your access to job opportunities, expose you to new ideas, and boost your earning potential.

Fast facts about bachelor's degrees:

• Bachelor’s degrees typically take between four and five years to complete or a minimum of 120 credits.  

• Majors can include a number of subjects, such as psychology, computer science, business, nursing, or English.

• Traditionally obtained in-person at a college campus, bachelor’s degrees have become increasingly easier to earn online as well.

• Though many students pursue a bachelor’s degree immediately after high school, it is not uncommon to seek one later in life. 

Let's review key things to know about bachelor’s degrees in the US, including how much they cost, what’s needed to apply, and whether an online or in-person experience is better for you.

Is a bachelor’s degree worth it?

There are several benefits to getting a bachelor’s degree. These include a higher potential income, increased job prospects, and new and enriching life experiences. If you’ve been working for a while, a bachelor’s degree may also help you launch a new career or advance in your current one. Obtaining a bachelor’s can be the first step to getting a higher academic degree, like a master’s or a doctorate.

The financial benefit of a bachelor's degree

A bachelor’s degree can be friendlier to your wallet in the long run. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that in 2022, a college graduate working full-time made a median of $1,432 a week, while high school graduates with no college experience earned a median of $853 a week [1]. That gap stretches into a significant difference over a year—a 2019 report by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that a college graduate earned an average of $33,000 more than a high school graduate in one year [2].

Jobs you can get with a bachelor's degree

Many high-paying jobs require at least a bachelor's degree, so having a four-year degree can make you more competitive for more roles. Here are some jobs that typically require a bachelor’s degree and are expected to grow rapidly in the next ten years, according to the BLS [3]:

• Computer and information systems managers

• Financial managers

• Information security analysts

• Market research analysts and marketing specialists

• Medical and health service managers

• Operations research analysts

• Social and community service managers

• Software developers

• Web and digital interface designers

Learn more: 20 Highest-Paying Bachelor's Degree Jobs

Cost of a bachelor’s degree program

The cost of a bachelor’s degree depends on several factors, like whether you choose to attend a public or private institution, are considered an in-state or out-of-state student, or opt for an online or in-person experience. Financial aid may also help lower your costs. Keep in mind tuition is separate from other living expenses, like housing and transportation.

• Private vs. public: The College Board found that one year of tuition and fees, on average, cost $10,940 at public four-year institutions for in-state students and $28,240 for out-of-state students. Private nonprofit institutions cost $39,0 [4]. However, private colleges may have more institutional resources to give out as financial aid.

• Online vs. in-person: The average public online bachelor's program tuition costs $38,496 for in-state students and $60,593 at private ones, according to US News—that’s total, not per year [5]. Online degrees eliminate relocation and transportation costs and offer enough flexibility for people who want to work full- or part-time.

• Scholarships or financial aid: Financial aid through FAFSA and scholarships are available for many schools. See if you’re eligible for federal financial assistance and contact your school for opportunities to start.

Learn more: Is College Worth It?

Bachelor’s degree requirements

While each college or university is different, you will have to meet a number of requirements when applying to bachelor's degree programs and in order to graduate from one.

Enrollment requirements for bachelor’s degrees

To enroll, a bachelor’s degree program will generally require:

• Past grades or GPA: Some programs may require you to have earned a certain minimum GPA in high school—like 2.5 or 3.0—though not all do. A program’s application should state what kind of grade requirements they have.

• A GED or high school diploma: Most bachelor’s degree programs will require you to have completed a high school level of education. If you haven’t, you can consider other programs, like associate degrees or certificates that may not require them. Professional certificates on Coursera don’t require GEDs.

• Standardized test scores, like the SAT or ACT: Though some schools are dropping this requirement, many still ask for test scores. High school students typically take standardized tests in their junior or senior year before applying to colleges. 

• Letters of recommendation: These can come from high school teachers who can speak to your good qualities and know you well. If you’ve been out of school for a while, a manager from a past or current job, a leader at your place of worship, a sports coach, or a volunteer coordinator can all provide letters of recommendation.

• Personal essays: Colleges could request personal essays to better understand your personal story and why you’re interested in a particular program. A course on essay writing on Coursera or elsewhere can help build your writing skills. 

Can’t meet all of the requirements? Associate degree programs, typically offered through community colleges, may have more flexible requirements and can provide you with a valuable education.

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Requirements for finishing a bachelor’s degree

Students typically need at least 120 credits to graduate from a bachelor’s program in the US (or roughly 180 credits at a school under a quarter system). Credits are acquired by passing classes for your major and other courses your school might require.

College degrees generally take between four and five years to complete when you're enrolled full-time, but they can take longer or shorter depending on the program you enroll in and the number of classes you take each year.

Learn more: What Is a Good College GPA and How Can You Raise Yours?

Types of bachelor’s degrees

Three of the most common types of bachelor’s degrees are:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA): A Bachelor of Arts is a type of bachelor’s that typically emphasizes critical thinking, communication skills, and the humanities. Majoring in history, English, or communications will generally earn you a BA. A Bachelor of Arts may clear a path to careers that draw on human connection and critical thinking attributes—like teaching, human resources, advertising, or government work.

• Bachelor of Science (BS): A Bachelor of Science typically emphasizes quantitative skills in coursework. This means science and math degrees are generally categorized as BS degrees, making them good ways to launch a career in science or math-based fields. You can earn a BS by majoring in subjects like finance or computer science.

• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA): A Bachelor of Fine Arts is awarded to those who graduate with majors in fine, visual, or performing arts. Specializing in creative writing, theater, drawing, or graphic design can each lead to a BFA. If you’re interested in careers that involve the arts, like theater production or museum curator, a BFA could be a good option for you.

Some subjects that have elements of both science and liberal arts, like psychology, economics, or political science, can be either a BA or a BS, depending on the types of courses you emphasize in your studies. Learn more about the difference between a BA and a BS degree.

Online vs. on-campus bachelor’s degrees

Both online degrees and on-campus degrees offer compelling reasons for students to enroll. Here are a few factors to consider when deciding which might be better for you.

Flexibility: Here's a fast fact—in 2017, the average graduate of an online degree program was thirty-two years old, according to US News, and 84 percent of them were employed as they attended school [6]. That’s likely because online degrees are more flexible. Accessing classes from home, with a wider range of time to take them, can allow students to continue working full-time, or take care of a family. Many on-campus programs also have flexible or part-time options.

In-person interaction: Face-to-face interaction is essential to some people but may be less of a priority to others. How important it is might depend on certain factors like your major and what sort of experience you want out of a bachelor’s degree program. While certain majors, like computer science, may be more conducive to taking online, others, like theater, might be more suitable for in-person learning. Being on campus can give you many extracurricular options, while online schools can also expose you to a community of people across the country and around the globe.

Here’s some good news

Online programs are constantly evolving, and many have adjusted to create opportunities to interact with other students, professors, and alumni. Online degrees can now give students the chance to work in group projects, join study groups, or network with alumni, all from behind the computer screen.

Affordability: Because of lower overhead costs, online bachelor’s degrees tend to be more affordable than those on traditional campuses. Of course, factors like whether or not the college is public or private, in-state or out-of-state, and how much financial aid you receive will all affect the price of a school, whether it’s online or in-person. The good news is that you may qualify for federal aid in either case. Filling out your FAFSA can be a good place to start.

Learn more: What to Do if You Can't Afford College (Even With Financial Aid)

Other types of education

Bachelor’s degrees aren’t the only type of degree you can get. Here are others:

Associate degrees: Students typically acquire associate degrees at community colleges, and take two years to complete. The costs are usually lower than a bachelor’s, and requirements are generally less competitive. An associate degree can lead to opportunities like web development or mechanical engineering, among many others.

Professional certificates: Professional certificates can help you advance your career or start a new one in far less time and cost than a traditional degree program. Though not a degree by itself, certificates can be a good option for those who want to acquire new skills quickly while committing less time and money than would be spent on a degree. 

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Master’s degree: A master’s degree is a postgraduate degree—meaning it’s a degree you get after completing an undergraduate degree. Those who have completed their bachelor’s and want to advance in their current field, or want to pivot to a new one, might consider getting a master’s. Master’s degrees generally take anywhere from one year to two years for full-time students, depending on the program and field. They can open up paths to careers like clinical social work or psychiatry. Learn more about the differences between Master of Arts (MA) degrees and Master of Science (MS) degrees.

Doctorate: Also known as a PhD, a doctorate is a postgraduate degree that you can get to become a recognized expert in a field. A doctorate will be useful for a profession that involves intense research, like a scientist, college professor, or researcher at a think tank. PhDs can take as short as four years to obtain, but generally take around eight.

Ready to start exploring? Take a look at some degree options on Coursera.