Which degree is better for graduate school?

You can go to grad school with either a BA or BS, but if you’re looking for more research and STEM-heavy careers, a BS will better prepare you by fulfilling your math and science prerequisites. A BA will better suit you for some practicing degrees in psychology or if you want to pursue research in a humanities field like history or sociology. For example, a BS will suit you better if you plan on entering a medical field, while a BA may better suit you if you plan on entering the mental health counseling field.

What majors are usually offered as both BA and BS degrees?

Majors like psychology, biology, computer science, business, and economics can offer BA and BS degrees. These majors give you the option to pursue a more technical or liberal arts degree, which can lead to different career paths within each field. Psychology is one of the best examples since those with a BA commonly pursue careers in counseling and social work while those with a BS may pursue research, statistics, or medicine.

Can I get both a BA and a BS?

Yes, but these programs, called dual degrees, are relatively rare at the bachelor’s level, and you’ll need to do double the credits, typically taking double the time. They are also in-person and, from what we can tell, do not exist in online format.

BS Vs. BA: Which Bachelor's Degree Is Right For You?

Key Takeaways

A BA focuses on liberal arts, emphasizing qualitative reasoning, and critical thinking. Students also learn soft skills such as leadership and communication.
A BS emphasizes math, science, and quantitative reasoning with more technical and analytical coursework and hands-on lab work.
Majors like psychology or business may have the option to choose between a BA and BS, which can lead to different career and graduate school options.

Bachelor of arts (BA) and bachelor of science (BS) degrees are both 120-credit-hour undergraduate degrees you can earn at any four-year college or university.

The main difference is that BAs specialize in the humanities and social sciences, while BS degrees are science-, technology-, engineering-, and mathematics-driven. Some majors might have both a BS and a BA option. Learn the nuances of each degree type and which suits your goals best.

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What Is a Bachelor of Arts?

A BA is typically a humanities degree and requires more humanities and liberal arts courses in your general education and major requirements. While these degrees still require math and science credits, they aren't as emphasized as they would be in a BS.

Common majors for BAs include:

Media and journalism
English and other languages
Social sciences
Education

You can also opt for a BA instead of a BS for majors in healthcare, psychology, business, and other fields that also offer a liberal arts and sciences approach.

What Is a Bachelor of Science?

A BS focuses on hands-on projects and scientific reasoning while requiring fewer humanities and liberal arts classes. These degrees might better prepare you for research opportunities during graduate study.

Some of the most common majors are in:

Healthcare
Engineering
Math
Computer science
Other STEM disciplines

Some majors, like psychology and education, offer BA and BS options that can lead to different career fields and graduate education. In a psychology BA, you can explore more social science courses like psychopathology, child development, and counseling methods.

And in a BS, you can lean into statistical analysis or medical applications such as psychiatry, statistics, and scientific methodologies.

If your career needs further education, like a master's or doctoral degree, examine which bachelor's degree type will serve you best, or which courses colleges may require. Some programs require you to take prerequisite courses that are more arts- or science-focused, which can help you determine the path you need to take while in undergrad.

How to Choose Between a BA vs. a BS

Choosing which degree is best for you comes down to your learning preferences, interests, and career and grad school goals. Both offer the same standard of education and employability, but can lead to different graduate and professional paths, so it's important to compare both and see which fits better.

Choose a BA If…

You enjoy seeing the world through a nuanced lens
You enjoy the humanities, learning history, and exploring human art and tendencies
You want to enter into a human-facing or human-centered field after graduation
You want to pursue a practical niche of the social sciences
You want to go to graduate school for mental health counseling or an MBA
You want more freedom to explore different topics during your college career

Choose a BS If…

You like clear-cut answers to problems
You work well with numbers and enjoy problem-solving through scientific methods
You plan on entering a STEM field after college
You plan on going to graduate school for medicine or other STEM degrees
You want to pursue a research and statistical niche in the social sciences
You work well in a hands-on environment and greatly value precision

Distinguishing Features Between a BA and a BS

Each degree can be broken down into three core features: the area of study, skills, and program expectations. Some of these skills are not exclusive to one degree type or another, but should give you a general idea of what to expect and what may match your personality and career goals.

BA vs. BS Overview
Features	BA	BS
Common Areas of Study	Sociology, communication, psychology, music, English, education, history, business, graphic design, media	Chemistry, biology, environmental science, information technology, engineering, computer science, data analytics, medicine, accounting, physics
Skills You'll Learn	Communication, writing, language, critical thinking, leadership, interpersonal soft-skills	Analytical reasoning, technical skills, mathematics, scientific problem-solving, software and hardware knowledge, lab experience
What to Expect	Liberal arts and humanities courses Freedom to explore more electives and topics outside your major Much more writing and critical thinking Typically requires at least one foreign language class	Science and math-based courses Science lab requirements Focused major requirements Hands-on classroom experiences

Do Employers Care Which Degree You Have?

Typically, no; an employer will likely only care that you earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited college.

Employers care more about the skills you learn and your work experience than the type of bachelor's degree you have. Just note that depending on the career you want to pursue, whether more technical or humanities, one degree type might fit better over another.

Other Common Types of Bachelor's Degrees

In addition to a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of science degree, other common bachelor's degree types include:

Bachelor of Fine Arts: A BFA trains you in the visual and performing arts. BFA majors include dance, painting, theater, sculpture, animation, film, and sometimes creative writing.
Bachelor of Business Administration: A BBA trains you in core business areas, including business communications, management, economics, and finance. If you're pursuing a BBA, you may be able to choose a concentration such as accounting, marketing, human resources management, or strategic management.
Bachelor of Applied Science: A BAS builds on technical associate-level training to offer advanced vocational or technical knowledge. Colleges typically offer BAS degrees in fields like engineering, construction management, and information technology.

Frequently Asked Questions About BA vs. BS Degrees

A BA can be easier than a BS degree since it requires fewer science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) classes, which can be considered more challenging than liberal arts and humanities classes. However, some people excel more at STEM classes than writing, so a BS degree may end up easier for you depending on your strengths.

It's important to consider both your career goals and your interests and strengths when choosing between a BA vs. a BS.

BA vs. BS: What’s the Difference?