Your College Degree Options: Bachelor’s Degrees, Associate Degrees, and More

There are a few different types of college degrees, including associate degree, bachelor’s degree, graduate degree, and doctorate or professional degree. Each category comes with its own particular subcategories, and there are some subtle differences between a doctorate and a professional degree. 

This quick guide is here to clear the air regarding the types of degrees you might consider and what each one means.

Associate Degree

An associate degree is a two-year degree typically offered at community colleges, technical colleges, and career colleges. However, some four-year universities offer this degree as well. Examples of associate degrees include Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS).

Individuals with two-year degrees, often called an associate degree, earn, on average, about 20% more a year compared to individuals with just a high school diploma.

AS degrees are generally narrowly focused and prepare students for science and math-related careers. AA degrees are broader and focus on fields outside of math and science such as liberal arts, business administration, criminal justice, and culinary arts.

Some students who earn an associate degree transfer to a four-year program to earn a bachelor’s degree. Others complete associate degrees and then go straight into the workforce.

You can explore colleges that offer associate degrees with College Search.

Bachelor's Degree

Most undergraduate students at four-year colleges and universities pursue a bachelor’s (also known as baccalaureate) degree. Bachelor’s degrees require students to complete four- or five-year programs in a specific academic discipline. The two most common types of bachelor’s degrees are Bachelor of Arts  (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS). Other types of bachelor’s degrees include the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), and Bachelor of Architecture (BArch).

Because bachelor’s degrees train students to enter a specific field, many professional careers require them. Earning a bachelor’s degree can open the door to many job opportunities and increase your potential income.

Individuals with a bachelor’s degree, earn, on average, over 60% more a year compared to individuals with a high school diploma.

Some institutions offer a liberal arts and career combination program, also called a 3-2 program. This is a type of dual degree in which a student completes three years of liberal arts study followed by two years of professional or technical study. In the end, students earn two bachelor’s degrees, usually a BA and a BS.

An example of this is Columbia University’s 3-2 Combined Plan program in which students can earn a BA and a BS in five years.

Some colleges also let you earn a teacher certification by combining bachelor's degree study with state certification requirements. State requirements vary, but these programs usually feature professional education courses, including student teaching.

Graduate, Professional, and Doctorate Degrees

Graduate degrees are advanced degrees that some students pursue after earning a bachelor’s degree. The two most common are Master of Arts  (MA) and Master of Science (MS). Other examples include Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and Master of Business Administration (MBA). A graduate degree is like an extension of a bachelor’s degree in which a student enriches their knowledge of their field and narrows their focus of study.

• Graduate degrees usually take around 2 additional years to attain, but this can vary based on the degree. Many institutions allow students to enroll in a graduate program in a field unrelated to their bachelor’s degree. This may require some extra credit hours, though.
• The doctorate and professional degrees signify mastery of a subject and often come with the title “doctor.” Although the 2 are similar, there are some important differences.
  • A doctorate degree is a research-oriented degree focused on scholarly development. The most common doctorate is the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Despite the name, a PhD covers many disciplines, not just philosophy.
  • A professional degree is an application-oriented degree, meaning it prepares students for a specific working position. Examples are Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), and Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) in the field of medicine, and Juris Doctor (JD) and Doctor of Judicial Science (SJD) in the field of law.

A graduate degree doesn’t need to precede a doctorate or professional degree. Often, students will go straight into a doctorate or professional program following their bachelor’s. However, some programs will require a master’s degree to gain entry. Completion can take anywhere from four to eight years, depending on the field of study.

Many doctoral students work either full time or part time while they study in the program. This, along with the field they are studying, will significantly affect the time it takes to complete their degree.

Joint Degrees

Some students may choose to pursue a joint degree, also known as a dual degree, which means they simultaneously study for a bachelor’s degree and a graduate degree. Joint degrees can be pursued in the same college or can be split between two different colleges. For example, Berklee College of Music and Harvard University offer a dual bachelor’s/master’s program in which a student receives a Bachelor of Arts  (BA) at Harvard and a Master of Music (MM) or Master of Arts (MA) at Berklee.

Depending on the program, it may be possible to study at the same time for a master's degree and a doctorate. For example, the University of Southern California offers a program leading to Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Public Health degrees.

In addition to degree programs, apprenticeships, job or skills training programs, military service, and direct entry into the workforce are also viable pathways to career success.