BS vs BA Degree: Top 5 Differences You Need to Know About

“BS degree" and "BA degree" are just some of the most common terms you'll find while choosing what college course to take and which university to apply to. Plenty of people think these two are the same thing, but they're not. In fact, there are several differences between BS vs BA degree. And we’ll share some of them with you in this article. But before you get there, here's a quick refresher on the meaning of a BS and BA degree.

BS vs BA Degree: What’s the Meaning?

What is BS Degree?

Bachelor of Science Degree or B.S. Degree is a type of Bachelor’s degree given to students who have completed a 4-year course program about subjects relating to scientific, mathematical, and technical fields of study. Some of the most common majors under this type of degree include Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Food Technology, and Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.

What is BA Degree?

A Bachelor of Arts Degree commonly known as a B.A. degree, is another type of Bachelor's degree that students will attain once they finish 4-year coursework (three years in certain countries) about subjects focusing on liberal arts, social sciences, and humanities among others. The majors you can take should you pursue a B.A. degree include Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, and Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing.

BS vs BA Degree: What Are the Differences?

Just by going at the name and definition alone, you’ll already have an idea of what makes them different from one another. But, to make everything easier to understand, we compiled a list below.

• The Bachelor of Science Degree concentrates on subjects relating to science and math, while the Bachelor of Arts Degree leans more on study areas about liberal arts.

• BS Degree focuses on its core subjects, making its students more specialized in their chosen majors. In BA Degree, on the other hand, students are exposed to a broader range of education as they must take up various subjects that cover different areas of liberal arts. This doesn’t mean they won’t be experts in their chosen fields of study, it's just that they are encouraged to explore other areas of liberal arts that can help them attain new skills and boost their overall knowledge.

• Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree must attain more credits than those studying for a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

• Personal skills-wise, a B.S. degree helps improve a student's logic, reasoning, and ability to do proper research. With a BA degree, students can be better at communication and critical thinking.

• While there are jobs which both BS and BA degree holders are qualified for, their work paths often look different. BS degree holders could become data analysts, lab researchers, and engineers. BA degree holders, meanwhile, are more suitable for jobs such as a police officer, clergy, social worker, psychologist, and human resources manager.

BS vs BA Degree: Are There Any Similarities?

Aside from the differences, we listed above, the two types of Bachelor's degrees are basically the same. In fact, some programs are available for both BA and BS degrees. How? They are courses that have distinct science and art aspects. A few examples of this include psychology, business, and architecture.

BS vs BA Degree: Final Words

If you're wondering which degree type is better, the answer is neither. Both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees are equally appreciated and recognized by employers. It all really just boils down to which route you choose. And pro-tip, if you're still picking a course program to take, think of your interests, and future career goals. Also, look at what the college graduates around you are doing career-wise before finalizing your decision.

That's it for this article. We hope you've gained more knowledge about BS VS BA Degree. If you want to be more familiar with all things college, please don't hesitate to visit CourseFinder's articles page and read our other posts that may help you improve your college experience.