You already know that several types of college degrees exist, but which one should you pursue? Does it make a difference besides which letters you'll have after your name once you finish?
Choosing the right degree level can significantly impact which jobs you can apply for after graduation. Each academic degree varies in terms of how much it costs, how long it will take, and what education requirements (besides a high school diploma) you'll need before getting into a program.
Don't sweat it if you're still confused about what makes each degree different. This article will walk you through all of the options.
The four categories of college degrees
Generally speaking, you can sort higher education degrees into four categories. In the sections below, you'll learn what those four categories are and what makes each level of education unique.
Associate degree
Associate degrees usually only take two years to complete. Technical colleges, career colleges, and community colleges offer these types of programs, but you may also find them at four-year colleges.
Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science degrees (AS) are the two most common associate degree programs. Remember that not all AA degrees require you to work with paint or clay, and not all AS degrees involve wearing a lab coat and mixing chemicals.
More often than not, AS degrees help students prepare for math- or science-related careers. AS degrees also typically include tech programs, while AA degrees are typically broader.
Some students will head to a traditional college or university to complete their bachelor's degree program after earning an associate degree. Others will immediately enter the workforce.
Some students like getting an associate degree because it doesn't cost as much as a bachelor's program and doesn't take as much time to complete. If you've been out of high school for a few years and want to change your career path or get more training, an associate degree could be an excellent fit.
The average cost of an associate degree is $3,621 per year for in-state students. Fill out a FAFSA application if you're curious about financial aid, but remember that you'll only qualify for federal assistance if you're enrolling at an accredited school.
Bachelor's degree
Most high school students go to college after graduation to work on their bachelor's degree. These programs normally take four to five years and focus on a specific field. If you're unsure what you want to do, there are also options for general education (like interdisciplinary studies degrees).
You'll quickly find that several types of bachelor's degrees exist, like Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degrees. If you remember the difference between AA and AS degrees, you can apply the same thinking to BS and BA degrees. BFA degrees are different because they typically include design or visual arts coursework.
Since many full-time jobs require bachelor's degrees, these programs are very popular. A bachelor's degree is also a prerequisite for most graduate programs, like medical or law school.
You can find bachelor's programs at both public and private universities. Some students even earn bachelor's degrees online.
A bachelor's degree costs around $35,000 per year once you factor in books, living expenses, and other supplies. You can save some money by attending an in-state school. If you're considering an out-of-state or private school, you'll want to hit those scholarship applications hard.
Graduate degree
If you didn't get enough school in your bachelor's program, consider enrolling in graduate school after completing your undergraduate degree. These degrees can position you for better career options in your field and often demand higher salaries. Full-time employees with a graduate degree can earn $12,000 more per year than workers with only bachelor's degrees.
Two common types of graduate degrees are Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MS) degrees. Some students also pursue Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Social Work (MSW), or Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees. If you want to work in the humanities, you might be interested in a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program.
You'll probably spend at least two years completing your master's degree. Bachelor's degrees usually include more than 100 hours of coursework, but the average master's program tends to contain less than 60 credit hours.
A full-time master's student may spend $100,000 to earn their degree, but many grad students work full time and take classes part time. Graduate schools know this, so they work hard to create flexible programs that cater to busy people like you. Many schools offer evening, weekend, and online classes so you can attend school and keep your job.
Admission to graduate school can be a little more competitive than an associate or a bachelor's program. You might need reference letters, a personal purpose statement, or standardized test scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).
Doctorate degree
A doctorate degree is the highest degree you can earn. Once you finish, you can call yourself a "doctor" even if you aren't performing surgery or seeing patients.
Sometimes referred to as professional degrees, in-depth doctorate programs include Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), and Juris Doctor (JD) degrees.
While professional and doctorate degrees are similar, they aren't identical. The important difference to remember is that doctorate degrees are focused on research, while a professional degree has to do with the application.
Ph.D. programs are research-oriented and cover a specific discipline. Professional degrees like MD, PharmD, and JD degrees are designed to prepare students for specific jobs.
Most doctoral degrees take between four and eight years to complete. Some programs require a master's degree, but sometimes students can enter a doctoral program right after earning their bachelor's degree.
Many doctoral students work while they're in school. Some programs (like medical programs) include a mix of coursework and hands-on health care experience in residencies or rotations.
A doctoral degree usually costs around $100,000. Students usually find that more grant programs are available for doctoral students than for master's students.
How to choose the right type of college degree for you
With so many options, you may feel overwhelmed by all the possibilities. We're here to help you think through all of your choices. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a degree:
- Employment goals. Think about what career or job you hope to have and what degree this job will require. If you aren't sure, perhaps you could connect with someone who's working in your field of study and ask them what they would recommend.
- Program cost. College isn't cheap, but several federal and private financial aid programs are available for students who need help paying for school. Regardless of which scholarships and grants you qualify for, it's important to fully understand the cost of your education goals. Don't forget about expenses like books, supplies, and room and board in addition to tuition.
- Salary expectations. What kind of return on investment will you receive for your degree? As you choose a degree program, think about what salary you can expect to make after earning your degree and getting a job. You may not want to spend thousands of dollars on a degree that won't pay much.
- Career goals. In addition to a higher salary, many students pursue advanced degrees because they provide opportunities for career advancement and growth.
- Joint degree program. Many colleges offer joint degree programs that allow students to earn multiple certifications at the same time. For example, you could enroll in a five-year program and have a bachelor's and master's degree by the time you finish! If you already know you want to pursue multiple degrees, this could be a great fit for you.
Easily compare colleges and degree programs with College Rover
Now that you know a little more about what makes each degree program different, you hopefully have some clarity about your next steps. Every degree level in this article can deepen your learning and advance your career prospects. Your degree choice just depends on your specific goals, budget, and experience.
College Rover makes the process of searching for colleges a little more awesome. We offer a robust database with a search filter to help narrow your choices by category. You can pick multiple colleges to compare and even download a spreadsheet to send to family and friends.
Start your college search with College Rover today.
