Choosing a college major is one of the first big decisions in a student鈥檚 educational journey. It often marks the starting point of a long and meaningful career. But it can often be confusing.
Maybe you鈥檝e always loved literature and debate, yet you鈥檙e also drawn to the logic of math and science. As you explore degree options that match your interests, you may notice some majors lead to a bachelor of arts (B.A.) degree, while others fall under a bachelor of science (B.S.) degree. But what does that difference really mean?
It鈥檚 perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed. In fact, many students, parents and career changers share the same uncertainty. The good news is that there鈥檚 no single 鈥渂etter鈥� choice. The choice comes down to finding the path that best aligns with your strengths, interests and long-term goals.
In this blog post, we鈥檒l explain the difference between bachelor of arts and science degrees, highlight what makes each unique, and give you the tools needed to help you choose the right program for your future.
What Is a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree?聽聽
A bachelor of arts degree emphasizes the liberal arts, humanities and communication skills. Students in B.A. programs typically take a wide range of courses in subjects such as literature, social sciences and history alongside their chosen major. This approach encourages critical thinking, cultural understanding and adaptability.
Common B.A. majors include:
- 贰苍驳濒颈蝉丑听听
- 贬颈蝉迟辞谤测听听
- 笔蝉测肠丑辞濒辞驳测听听
- 厂辞肠颈辞濒辞驳测听听
- 尝补苍驳耻补驳别蝉听听
Unlike many B.S. programs, a B.A. degree often leaves more room for electives and general education in college. That flexibility means you may be able to double major or add a minor more easily than B.S. students, tailoring your education to fit your interests.
B.A. programs are particularly well-suited for careers that require strong communication skills, writing ability and problem framing. Graduates often pursue roles in teaching, counseling, marketing, public service or creative industries. For instance, an English major with a B.A. might go on to teach or work in publishing, while a psychology major could enter human resources or social services.
If you鈥檙e drawn to flexibility, interdisciplinary learning and developing soft skills, a bachelor of arts may be the right type of degree for you. Explore programs like ACE鈥檚 B.A. degrees in education to see how a B.A. pathway can open doors in teaching and leadership.
What Is a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree?聽聽
A bachelor of science degree takes a more structured, technical and specialized approach. Students in B.S. programs complete more courses directly tied to their major and fewer electives overall. These programs focus heavily on analytical, mathematical and scientific skills. This makes them ideal for students who thrive on data, research or lab-based learning.
Common B.S. majors include:
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- Computer Science聽聽
- 贰苍驳颈苍别别谤颈苍驳听听
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Because of the emphasis on technical skills, B.S. programs are designed to prepare students for careers in healthcare, STEM and other fields where quantitative expertise is essential. For example, a biology B.S. or STEM degree is often a stepping stone to medical school, while a computer science B.S. can launch a career in software development.
Students interested in healthcare may also pursue RN to BSN programs to build on their existing credentials. Other specialized programs, such as ACE鈥檚 B.S. in Business Administration and Leadership or B.S. in Healthcare Administration, combine the rigor of a science-based program with practical applications for future leaders.
If you鈥檙e drawn to structured curricula, quantitative learning or technical career paths, a bachelor of science degree might be the right choice.
B.A. vs B.S.: Key Differences Explained聽聽
While both are undergraduate degree types, the difference between these two options comes down to breadth versus depth.
- Breadth vs. depth: A B.A. degree gives you a broader range of study, with electives in liberal arts and opportunities for minors or double majors. Alternatively, a B.S. degree goes deeper into specialized coursework, leaving less room for exploration.听聽
- Qualitative vs. quantitative:聽B.A. programs emphasize writing,聽theory聽and communication, while B.S. programs focus on mathematics,聽research聽and lab work.听聽
- Course requirements: A B.A. may聽require聽foreign language or humanities credits, while a B.S. often includes lab sciences and聽additional聽math requirements.听聽
This bachelor鈥檚 degree comparison shows how each path develops different strengths. Think of a B.A. as preparing students for flexibility across industries, while a B.S. builds specific, technical expertise that translates directly to STEM careers.
For example, students considering a career in healthcare administration will benefit from a science-focused program that can prepare them for management in medical settings. Similarly, those leaning toward business can reap the benefits of the specialized knowledge from a B.S. in business.
Both B.A.s and B.S.s are valuable types of bachelor鈥檚 degrees, depending on your personal and professional goals.
Debunking the Myth: Are Certain Degrees “Better” for Careers?聽聽
A common misconception is that a B.S. degree is always better than a B.A. because it seems more technical or specialized. However, the truth is much more nuanced.
The value of a degree depends on the major, the student鈥檚 skills and their career goals. For instance, a B.A. in Communications can lead to successful roles in marketing or public relations, while a B.S. in Biology might be the right path for pre-med students.
In fact, many careers value the soft skills emphasized in liberal arts programs just as much as technical knowledge. Employers often look for candidates who can write clearly, work in teams and solve problems creatively.
Some notable examples:
- A Communications B.A. graduate may feel right at home in the public relations or advertising industries. Indeed, the B.A. is a great foundation for a聽career in digital marketing.听
- A Public Health B.S. graduate could be well-equipped to pursue roles in healthcare and could build off that degree to pursue other聽top public health roles聽in the future.听
As you weigh your options, remember that there is no 鈥渂etter鈥� degree. Ultimately, it鈥檚 all about how well your education aligns with your career aspirations and the industries you want to enter.
Which One Should You Choose: B.A. or B.S.?聽聽
Now that you know what sets a B.A. apart from a B.S., the next step is deciding which option is the right fit for you. While the choice isn鈥檛 always clear, asking the right questions can make it easier.
Do you see yourself solving problems with numbers and data? Are you more interested in communicating ideas and building connections? Your answers can point you toward the degree path that feels the most natural.
- Choose a B.A. if you want flexibility, enjoy exploring multiple subjects, and value skills like writing and critical thinking.听聽
- Choose a B.S. if you prefer structured, technical learning and aim for careers in STEM,聽healthcare聽or analytics.听聽
Don鈥檛 forget to think about graduate school, too. Both types of degrees can prepare you for advanced programs, but certain tracks align better. For example:
- Law聽schools聽often welcome B.A. students with聽strong communication聽skills.听聽
- Med schools look for science prerequisites common in B.S. programs.听聽
- MBA听辞谤听leadership tracks聽accept both, depending on undergraduate coursework.听聽
Some other important questions you may want to consider as you make your choice include:
- Am I passionate about a specific, technical field?聽聽
- Do I prefer developing technical skills or soft skills?聽聽
- What kind of career paths excite me most?聽聽
B.A. vs B.S.: Career Outcomes and Salaries聽聽
Your degree type may influence the career paths you pursue, but both can lead to stable, rewarding jobs. According to the (BLS), bachelor鈥檚 degree holders overall earn a median weekly wage of $1,543, higher than those with only a high school diploma.
Common bachelor of arts career paths include:
- Teacher or educator聽聽
- Writer,聽editor聽or journalist聽聽
- Counselor or social worker聽聽
- Public relations or marketing professional聽聽
Common bachelor of science jobs include:
- Scientist or laboratory researcher聽聽
- Data analyst or engineer聽聽
- Registered nurse or healthcare administrator聽聽
- Computer programmer or IT specialist聽聽
Salary ranges vary by field, but here鈥檚 are some snapshots from BLS:
- 聽(B.A.): $62,310 median salary聽
- 聽(B.A.): $69,780 median salary聽
- 聽(B.S.): $93,600 median salary聽
- 聽(B.S.): $103,790 median salary聽
B.A. vs B.S. 鈥� It鈥檚 About Fit, Not Prestige聽聽
When comparing bachelor of arts vs. bachelor of science programs, remember that neither is automatically better. Both are respected degree types, and both can prepare you for graduate school, rewarding careers and lifelong learning.
What matters is choosing the path that matches your interests, strengths and long-term career goals. Take time to talk to academic advisors, professors or alumni. We additionally recommend you explore different majors as you reflect on whether you鈥檙e drawn more to humanities vs. technical degrees, or whether you want to balance both.
At the end of the day, the right choice is about fit, not prestige.
Your future starts with a degree that matches your goals. At ACE, we offer flexible, affordable bachelor鈥檚-completion degrees that prepare students for success in education, business, healthcare and nursing.
