BA vs BS Degree: What’s the Difference and What’s Right for You?

So you’re thinking about earning your undergraduate degree. Congratulations! Doing research is the first step on your road to a successful college experience and career, so you’re in the right place. While college prepares you to work in a specific field or discipline, it does more than that. It also equips you with skills you’ll need in any professional environment: time management, organization, and communication. That’s why it’s important to decide not only your major but also what type of degree you want to pursue. 

Two of the most common degree types are a Bachelor of Science (BS) and a Bachelor of Arts (BA). While both degrees can lead you to future success, they differ in several key ways. Understanding these differences is crucial to picking the right degree program for you—and getting the most out of your education.

Key Takeaways

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Science (BS) are two different degree types offered at the undergraduate level.
• While a BA degree emphasizes a broad liberal arts education, a BS degree may prioritize technical or specialized coursework related to your major.
• When deciding which degree is best for you, it’s important to consider your intended college major, academic interests, skills, and career goals.

What Is a BA Degree?

A Bachelors of Arts (BA) degree tends to focus on liberal arts studies, the social sciences, and more generalized knowledge. This means it may apply to a wider range of career paths than a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree program, which is more specialized.

When you graduate with a BA, you will not only learn essential skills related to your field or academic discipline. You’ll also learn skills that apply to a wide range of careers, such as writing, leadership, problem-solving, and interpersonal communication.

With a BA degree, you also aren’t as confined into a career within a narrow field or scope. Instead, you may find yourself branching outside of your original course of study during your career. For example, after earning a BA degree in business, you may could easily transition into working in operations at a nonprofit company, or negotiating contracts at a public relations agency.

The choice to pursue a BA degree is more common if you’d like to be in certain industries, including:

• Communications
• Nonprofit
• Banking
• Law
• Public service
• Public relations
• English
• Music
• Theatre

Those pursuing the BA degree are typically looking to explore not only their major of choice but also interests outside of it. In fact, many people in BA degree programs may choose to double major in order to better explore their varied interests. After graduating, they are often strong writers and skilled communicators.

What Is a BS Degree?

A Bachelor of Science (BS) degree, rather than centering a liberal arts education, promotes a more focused, technical approach. These degrees tend to offer more practical experience and are especially helpful for those who want a more specialized, technical career. Within the realm of business, this might look like a career in economics, accounting, or business analytics. It’s also ideal for fields in mathematics and science, such as computer science, health care, and technology.

A BS degree will focus on practical skills and experience suitable for pursuing a career in industries such as:

• Finance
• Sales
• Consulting
• Human resources
• Accounting
• Nursing
• Public Health
• Engineering
• Information Technology

If you’re pursuing a BS degree, you may be expected to take more courses in mathematics and practical skills than you would with a BA degree. With a BS degree, you often can choose a specialized “track” to work towards in addition to your general courses. This gives students the opportunity to concentrate on a specific area of interest, further honing their skills toward their desired career path.

What Are the Differences Between a BA and a BS Degree?

The main difference between a BA and a BS is one of scope. A BA degree is designed to show how the major fits into the wide net of other topics, connecting them all in order to gain further insight. A BS is designed to emphasize the importance of the major, allowing you to devote your attention to the discipline. Determining your major of study will also help you further differentiate between the two degree types.

In general, coursework for a BA degree is broader and offers more flexibility to explore additional academic interests. Coursework for a BS, however, is often more narrowly focused, particularly in technical and scientific disciplines. Another factor that many students consider is their program’s foreign language requirement. BA programs typically require that you complete coursework in a foreign language, while most BS programs don’t have this requirement.

Let’s say you understand the differences between a BA and a BS, but you aren’t sure which one is the best for you. Here are some steps you can take to help you decide:

• Figure out your “dream” role. Once you have a sense of career direction, you can research which degree is most applicable to the role.
• Browse through courses from each degree type. See whether the courses that spark your interest are broad and theoretical or more narrow and technical in nature.
• Find mentors in your industry. By asking what type of degree they pursued, you can further identify what will be most helpful for you.
• Talk it out with a career counselor or advisor. These individuals can often provide great advice that’s tailored to your goals and situation.

Can I Earn My Degree Online?

Yes! The University of Cincinnati offers fully remote programs with an accredited university so you can enroll from anywhere. Whether a BA or a BS is the better option for you, UC makes it a possibility through a wide range of online undergraduate programs. And you won’t be the only one. In the fall of 2022, NCES data showed that over 53% of students were enrolled in online courses.

This isn’t just an option for your bachelor’s degree either; UC also offers numerous online options for graduate school.

Why You Should Choose UC for Your Online Degree Completion

At University of Cincinnati Online, we provide fully online academic programs from a premier research and higher learning institution. And that’s not the only reason people choose UC.

• Nationally-renowned faculty. From serving on national boards to getting published and practicing in the fields they teach, our staff are some of the best and the brightest.
• Personalized support. From application through graduation, we guide you through every step of the admissions process, and stay with you every step of the way to answer your questions.
• Flexible programs. Our online programs are of the same high quality and integrity as traditional courses, but you have the freedom to complete them wherever you please.

Create your dream career with our flexible programs, and make an academic path that suits your lifestyle and career goals. No matter where you are in life, the University of Cincinnati will meet you there.

Ready to take the next step? Contact an Enrollment Services Advisor for more information—or apply today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is a BA or BS better?

A BA often provides a broader education with a focus on people skills and communication, while a BS emphasizes analytical and technical skills for specialized roles. However, which degree is better ultimately depends on your career goals and personal interests.

Does a BA or BS make more money?

While BS graduates may earn slightly more in positions that require specialized technical skills, both degrees open doors to high-earning careers. In fact, salary differences are often influenced by industry and experience rather than just degree type.

Do companies prefer a BS or BA degree?

Companies generally value both degrees and look for candidates who match the job requirements and company culture. A BS may be preferred for technical or analytical roles, while a BA can be a great fit for roles requiring strong communication and strategic thinking.

Which is more difficult to get: a BA or a BS degree?

The difficulty of your degree program will depend less on the degree type or major and more on your academic strengths and natural aptitude. You may find earning a BA degree more difficult if you struggle with writing assignments or foreign language coursework. Alternatively, you may find a BS degree more difficult to earn if you aren’t naturally inclined toward scientific or technical coursework.