According to Open Doors, in 2024, more than 342,000 international students studied at the undergraduate level in the US, including bachelor’s degree programs. If you hope to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the US, this guide can help you understand your options.
Read on to find out what is meant by bachelor degree in the US, how to get a bachelor degree, the different types of undergraduate degrees available, and career opportunities after graduation.
What Is a Bachelor’s Degree and What Does It Mean?
A bachelor’s degree is the most common undergraduate degree awarded by universities and colleges in the US. Typically, a bachelor’s degree takes four to five years to complete and consists of 120 to 130 semester credit hours. You are expected to choose a major concentration (a specific area of study) and take additional required courses outside of your chosen major. While this may seem unconventional, it helps you receive a well-rounded education and develop critical thinking skills that can be applied in any career you decide to pursue.
When exploring what is a bachelor degree or bachelor’s meaning, it is important to understand that this certification serves as a foundation for many careers and advanced academic programs around the world. Now that we have answered the question “what is the meaning of a bachelor degree?”, let us look at the different types of bachelor’s degrees available to you.
What Are the Different Types of Bachelor’s Degrees in the US?
The three most common bachelor’s degrees offered by the universities in the US are:
Bachelor of Arts (BA degree)
Bachelor of Science (BS degree)
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA degree)
Understanding the different degree types can help clarify what is a bachelor degree for students interested in liberal arts, science, or creative fields.
Bachelor of Arts (BA Degree)
A BA degree is designed for students who are interested in following a program in the liberal arts. Here are a few examples of areas you could focus on:
Communication
Education
Foreign languages
Philosophy
Bachelor of Science (BS Degree)
What is a bachelor degree of science? A BS degree is one of the most common undergraduate degrees in the US and (just like the name) focuses on science-related courses. Some common majors include:
Chemistry
Mathematics
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA Degree)
If you are interested in studying visual or performing arts, a BFA degree would be the best fit for you. Approximately two-thirds of BFA coursework focuses on the study of visual or fine arts, and one-third on liberal arts such as history, literature, philosophy, and psychology. Here are some examples of BFA degrees:
Creative writing
Film and photography
Music
Theater and dance
Visual arts
Having understood the three ways to pursue a bachelor’s degree, here is a closer look at how you can obtain one.
How Do You Get a Bachelor’s Degree?
Most bachelor’s degree programs in the US require students to complete ~120 credits to graduate. If your school follows a quarter system instead of a semester system, this might be closer to 180 credits. While each university has its own graduation requirements, you will also need to maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA), typically 2.0 or higher.
Bachelor’s degrees generally take between four and five years to complete when you are studying full time. However, the time it takes you to graduate will depend on the number of courses you take each year, your academic schedule, and any additional programs you may choose to pursue.
Learning what is meant by a bachelor degree, or what a bachelor degree means in terms of coursework and graduation requirements, is an important step as you prepare to apply. Next, let us look at the first steps on how to get a bachelor degree.
Requirements to Apply for a Bachelor’s Degree Program
The first step to obtaining a bachelor’s degree is to identify a program you would like to apply for, then gathering the documents needed to proceed with your application.
Here is a sample college application process checklist:
High school transcript (if it is in another language, a certified translation to English is required)
English language proficiency test
Proof of finances
Copy of your passport
Application fees
The requirements to apply for a bachelor’s degree may vary based on the university. Some universities may require a resume or CV along with your application, while others may want a record of your extracurricular and volunteer activities. Speak with your advisors and university representatives to understand what is required for your preferred schools’ application process, so you can stay on track with application deadlines and avoid delays.
Cost of Getting a Bachelor’s Degree at a College or University
Your tuition will likely be the largest part of your costs of studying at a US college or university. Total costs can vary depending on where you choose to enroll for your bachelor’s degree program, whether your school is public or private, whether you qualify for financial aid and/or scholarships, and the amount of time you are enrolled.
An engineering, pre-medical, or pre-law bachelor’s program may have higher tuition compared to business, language, or physical education majors, because of the length of the program and the resources required to obtain the qualification. For example, a pre-medical university degree can take up to six years to complete. Lab equipment and hospital resources may be required for coursework, which cost more compared to the resources required to complete a four-year language degree.
The university you choose also affects your costs. Public universities offer degrees that cost 75% less compared to private universities. Typically, this is because a public university receives government funding, whereas private universities rely on tuition, endowments, and donations from individual benefactors, foundations, and private organizations.
In addition to tuition, it is important to consider living expenses while you are studying for your bachelor’s degree, including rent, food, utility expenses, medicine, and other daily essentials.
There are a multitude of resources available for you to manage the cost of your education, such as scholarships, grants, and other financial aid.
Speaking to an advisor can help you to get a better understanding of a bachelor’s (meaning how to get a bachelor’s degree), and they can provide step-by-step guidance on how to submit your application. It is also important to start preparing your application early, as arranging all the requirements for your application in advance can help you stay ahead of unexpected delays.
Next, let’s explore why you may choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
What Are the Benefits of Getting a Bachelor’s Degree?
A bachelor’s degree is a credential typically earned after four years of study at a US university or college. Many global employers require a bachelor’s degree for entry-level roles. For students wondering “what is a bachelor degree good for?”, here are just a few benefits of obtaining a bachelor’s degree:
Access to More Job Opportunities
More than 80% of job opportunities advertised online in the US require a bachelor’s degree. Employers find that the skills developed during a bachelor’s degree program, not only in one’s major but also in communication, analytics, research, and problem solving, indicate more qualified candidates compared to applicants without a bachelor’s degree.
Ability to Pursue a Career in Your Preferred Field
A bachelor’s degree develops the required qualifications for your ideal career path. For example, if you are a creative individual and want to explore roles in marketing, by majoring in marketing and/or advertising, you can apply to a wide range of marketing jobs, from social media manager or sales manager, to market research analyst or data scientist. No matter what you study, a bachelor’s degree can open a wide range of career opportunities for you to pursue.
Higher Earning Potential
In the US, obtaining a bachelor’s degree increases your earning potential by 50% compared to those with only a high school diploma. In 2023, professionals with a bachelor’s degree earned an average of $77,000 annually!
The academic and practical knowledge gained through a typical bachelor’s degree curriculum increases your professional skills and widens the scope of work you are able to perform. This allows you to apply to more skilled jobs with higher salaries and opportunities for growth.
Networking Opportunities
Whether you are studying online or on campus, during your bachelor’s degree program you have the chance to meet people from around the world. Your fellow students may one day pursue a job in the same industry and become your coworker, a visiting professor may become your employer, or an internship opportunity can introduce you to your future job. A bachelor’s degree program can build your professional network, a most valuable resource for your professional and personal growth.
Pursuing a bachelor’s degree has many benefits, and for many students it is a pathway to build a better future. A Shorelight advisor can help you identify how to get a bachelor’s degree, which program and university will best suit your goals, current skills, budget, and more.
What Types of Schools Offer Bachelor’s Degrees in the US?
There are three different types of institutions in the US offering bachelor’s degrees:
Universities
Community colleges
Liberal arts colleges
Universities
There are two types of universities: public (or state) universities and private universities. Public universities are funded by the state in which they are located, while private universities are funded by endowment funds and tuition fees. The most common bachelor’s degrees offered by public and private universities are BA and BS degrees.
Community Colleges
Community colleges, sometimes known as junior colleges, offer a limited number of bachelor’s degree programs. Generally, community colleges award two-year associate degrees designed to help students transfer to a four-year degree program.
Liberal Arts Colleges
Liberal arts colleges focus on undergraduate programs. Students take a variety of courses in the humanities, arts, sciences, and social sciences. Liberal arts colleges offer BA, BFA, and BS degrees (and may offer associate’s and graduate degrees, too).
No matter the institution, knowing what is a bachelor degree and the different ways to obtain it helps you choose the best path forward based on your goals, budget, and preferred learning style.
A Shorelight counselor can help determine which bachelor’s degree program is right for you >
