Does a BA vs a BS really matter?

Asked by: Prof. Robyn Reichel DDS  |  Last update: November 4, 2023
Score: 4.8/5 (36 votes)

Neither degree ranks as better than the other, but one might better suit specific career goals. For example, if you're interested in technical careers, you may need a BS for graduate school applications. In some majors, you may choose between a BA and a BS. Many psychology programs, for instance, offer both options.

Is a BA or BS better for business?

A Bachelors of Arts (BA) degree in business administration has a focus on liberal arts studies and general business knowledge. This means it may apply to a wider range of career paths than the more-specialized Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in business administration.

Do you make more money with a BA or BS?

According to Emolument, a salary comparison tool, right out of the gate Americans with a BS degree earn about 17% more on average than those with a BA degree. The technical skills often associated with a BS are in high demand. For the first 10 years of experience in the field, BS degrees have the edge.

Do med schools prefer BA or BS?

Every U.S. medical school requires the completion of a four-year degree from an accredited college or university. It doesn't matter whether your degree is a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.).

Is it worth getting a BA?

Higher salary potential

Speaking of higher salaries, data from the BLS shows that graduates with a bachelor's degree earn a median annual US salary of $67,860. That's significantly more than associate degree holders ($48,776) and high school diploma holders ($40,612) [7].

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39 related questions found

Is it bad to get a BA instead of a BS?

If you want a broader education where you study multiple subjects, particularly those related to liberal arts, a BA may be the better degree for you. If you want more technical skills, including higher-level math classes, science labs, and more of your classes to focus on your major, then a BS might be better.

What is the highest paying BA degree?

30 Highest Paying Bachelor's Degrees
  • Management Information Systems. ...
  • Nursing. ...
  • Civil Engineering. ...
  • Finance. ...
  • Information Technology (IT) Early career salary: $67,110. ...
  • Accounting. Early career salary: $51,002. ...
  • Business Administration. Early career salary: $51,489. ...
  • Aviation Management. Early career salary: $79,000.

Can I get into med school with a lot of BS?

While perfect grades are not required for medical school admission, premeds "would want to be in the mid-3.0 range and higher to feel relatively competitive," Grabowski says. Still, it is possible to get into med school with a mediocre or low GPA.

Does it matter where you get your undergrad?

It doesn't really matter where you went to for the undergraduate institution,” Khan says. “However, if your GPA is not ideal, then we do also look at, was this a really competitive college? Was this a really competitive major? Was this a more tough major?

Is a biology degree a BA or BS?

Many schools only offer either a BA or a BS in Biology. Most Liberal Arts Colleges only offer a BA, whereas a larger institution may offer both, so choose wisely!

Does it matter if you get a BA or BS in computer science?

The difference between a BA and a BS is not likely to matter to employers. Students will apply for the same jobs and be equally prepared, unless the work is highly specialized, perhaps a BS would give you the upper hand. But, it's really about how you present yourself in your interview and how well you do on the job.

Does a PhD increase salary?

Many people assume that a PhD only increases salary in the academic world. In reality, a PhD increases salary because it opens up more career opportunities. If you want to enter the academic world and pursue a PhD, that's fantastic. You will likely be able to earn a higher salary than you would with a master's degree.

What is the difference between a BA and a BS?

Degree. Generally, a Bachelor of Arts focuses on the humanities while a Bachelor of Science emphasizes math and science.

Is a marketing degree a BA or BS?

Marketing majors can earn a BA or a BS in marketing, depending on their school and program. Typically, a BA includes more foreign language, humanities, and social science courses, while a BS includes more math and natural science courses.

How do you list a bachelor's degree in business administration on a resume?

Listing “Bachelor of Science in Business Administration” is sufficient and most accurate. As you declare your major(s) or minor(s), you may add them to your resume. Providing your grade point average is optional. If you have a 3.0 or above, providing this detail may enhance your marketability to employers.

Do employers care about undergrad?

They generally view degree holders as being more work-ready, more professional, more mature, and more dedicated, which may get you an interview when your competitor does not. And remember those critical skills employers are looking for? Having a degree demonstrates that you have those.

Does it really matter what college you get your degree from?

While the name of your school isn't likely to land you a job, you'll want to be sure that your degree is from an accredited institution. Employers want to feel confident, knowing you've received a quality education and will bring the skills you developed as an undergraduate student to the table if offered a position.

Do employers care about what college you went to?

84% say the institution a candidate attended is a 'very important' or 'important' factor. 71% are more likely to move forward with a candidate who attended a top-tier school. 66% are more likely to move forward with a candidate who attended their own alma mater.

How bad is a 3.5 GPA for med school?

Many admissions officers view a GPA of 3.8 as very competitive, and they like to see at least a GPA of 3.5 or above. These scores will be especially competitive if your major is related to medicine, and it's even better if it's a difficult science major like neuroscience or physics.

Will one b ruin my chances for med school?

Medical schools want to see optimal academic performance, but that doesn't necessarily mean that one bad semester or lower grades will count you out of the running. Your overall GPA is very important, and med school admission committees will look at that in conjunction with your individual semesters and trends.

Can I get into med school with C's?

Medical schools do not accept a grade of C- or below in required courses.

How can I make 100k a year with a bachelor's degree?

Best jobs with a bachelor's degree that pay over $100,000 per year
  1. Sales executive.
  2. Compensation manager.
  3. Economist.
  4. Actuary.
  5. Risk manager.
  6. Strategy manager.
  7. Chief financial officer.
  8. Loan officer.

What 4 year major makes the most money?

The top-earning majors are in so-called STEM fields, or degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Half of the top 10 majors with graduates making the most money are subsets of engineering.

What is a good BA degree?

STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) degrees dominate the list of collegiate programs that lead to top-paying careers. While some bachelor's degrees in the humanities and social sciences don't typically offer high salaries, they can provide a foundation for a graduate degree and a more lucrative career.

Is there anything better than a Bachelor's degree?

A master's degree is a graduate-level degree that one can pursue after earning an undergraduate-level degree such as a bachelor's degree. People who have earned a master's degree are usually understood to have a solid understanding of their area of study or professional practice.