What’s the difference between a BA and BS?
While a Bachelor of Arts (BA) is more holistic in nature, a Bachelor of Science (BS) focuses on logic and quantitative reasoning.
Some fields, such as psychology, computer science, and criminal justice, can often be taken as either a BA or BS.
A BA is well suited for people who would benefit from a more general, liberal arts-focused curriculum and developing their critical thinking skills.
A BS is a good fit for those who want to gain more real-world skills, particularly in quantitative research methods.
As you explore your undergraduate degree options, you’ll likely come across both Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) degree programs – and the “arts” vs “science” can be deceiving.
Contrary to popular belief, a BA degree is not limited to the arts and humanities, while a BS degree is not just reserved for STEM-related fields. Many universities offer both BA and BS programs in the same field, like psychology and education, which can make the choice between a BA or a BA confusing.
To help, we’ll walk through key differences between a BA vs a BS degree to support you in making a choice that is best aligned with your strengths and future career aspirations.
What is a bachelor’s degree and what is it needed for?
A bachelor’s is an undergraduate degree that traditionally takes 4 years to complete the required 120 credits. A bachelor’s degree qualifies you for more careers than a high school diploma and allows you to earn a graduate degree upon completion.
What is a Bachelor of Arts degree?
A Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree is an undergraduate program where students complete the general education coursework and choose a specialty that interests them.
The “arts” in a Bachelor of Arts degree generally refers to liberal arts. Note that in small liberal arts colleges, a BA is often the only choice available.
The focus of a BA program often lies in the humanities or social sciences. BA programs generally offer more flexibility in courses, as they offer more elective opportunities, and expand students’ cultural awareness, communication, and critical thinking skills. Reading and writing skills are also trained extensively in a BA program.
KEY TAKEAWAY
A Bachelor of Arts (BA) is often humanities-focused with more opportunities to explore electives and other topics of interest.
What is a Bachelor of Science degree?
A Bachelor of Science (BS) degree is an undergraduate program focused on STEM subjects or other fields that require a more research-centered approach.
A BS is a more science-grounded degree, with common examples including engineering, biology, and computer science. More classes in the curriculum, such as statistics, are geared toward developing quantitative reasoning and logic skills. Also, BS degrees tend to offer more opportunities for lab work.
What is a Bachelor of Applied Science?
Similar to a Bachelor of Science degree in its STEM focus, a Bachelor of Applied Science degree is more career oriented.
The BAS uses a focused approach dedicated to real-world skills instead of general education coursework. BAS students often already have an associate degree or other experience in their field of study.
KEY TAKEAWAY
A Bachelor of Science (BS) is often a more STEM and research-focused program with opportunities for hands-on experience.
What is the difference between a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science?
BA degrees are less specialized than a BS degree in the same subject area but allow you to cover a broader range of electives and subjects.
While BA coursework often includes humanities-focused subjects including literature, social sciences, and foreign languages, there are also opportunities to explore outside your chosen field. You attend lectures about topics that you might not have originally considered, giving you fresh perspectives.
BS degrees focus more on providing a more specialized or intensive education within your major. Quantitative research and hands-on laboratory experience is often an important part of a BS degree, as the coursework is often focused more on STEM-related subject areas.
Universities may offer both a BA and BS in the same focus, such as in psychology, education, business, and economics. Making the choice between degrees depends mostly on your personal career goals and preferences.
BA vs BS degrees: a quick overview
Still confused on which undergraduate degree is the right choice for you? Review the basic differences below.
Should I get a BA or BS?
In many fields, both BA and BS degrees are offered. As a student, you may find that your personal career goals align with one over the other. Let’s dive deeper into your options.
Psychology: BA vs BS
Psychology is one of the more common subjects to have both a BA and a BS degree offered at the same school. A BS in psychology tends to focus more on research methods, applied psychology, and STEM requirements over theory. A graduate with a BA in psychology may focus on counseling or social work, while a BS graduate may focus on research and psychiatry.
Computer science: BA vs BS
A BA in Computer Science (CS) allows you to explore both the humanities and CS, while the BS tends to be more focused on CS technical applications. Computer science is a very technical field, and depending on the university, a BA may not have the same accreditation with ABET/CAC that a BS would. Research your program’s accreditation to learn more.
Economics: BA vs BS
When studying economics on a BA track, the curriculum is more likely to be theoretical in nature, covering topics such as the history of the economy and practical economic applications. A BS in economics involves more core classes in statistical analysis and business math. If you want to pursue an advanced degree after graduation, a BS often offers more overlapping coursework with the master’s program.
Biology: BA vs BS
The first two years of a BA and a BS in biology look very similar. After that point, a BS student would focus more on biomedical or biological science with the hopes of attending medical, veterinary, or dental school. A BA student would take more broad subjects while preparing for a more “person-oriented” route of nursing or physiotherapy.
Criminal justice: BA vs BS
Both a BA and BS in criminal justice allow for future career opportunities in law enforcement, security, criminology, and corrections. A BA in criminal justice allows for more flexibility post-graduation if you are unsure about the specialization you want to work in. A BS focuses more on specific branches, such as homeland security or security management, and offers hands-on training opportunities.
Accounting: BA vs BS
A BA and BS in accounting are quite similar, but a BA in accounting allows for more opportunities for a double major or minor due to its flexibility in electives, which widens your career options post-graduation. If you are seeking a master’s in accounting after graduation, check if your university offers a combined BS and master’s program that fulfills the 150-credit CPA requirement.
Business administration: BA vs BS
If you are interested in pursuing an MBA after graduation, both a BA and BS degree in business will prepare you with the skills you need. A BS in business is best suited for people who start school already with a specific business idea in mind, allowing them to immediately apply what they learn in their coursework in a real-world context. A BA, on the other hand, is a great option for people who want to explore all facets of the business world before deciding.
Education: BA vs BS
A BA in education tends to focus on the humanities and involves a less rigorous curriculum with respect to the number of math and science courses required. A BS in education tends to focus more on the applied and technical aspects of education, such as curriculum development or working with educational technology, and may offer courses on specific teaching methodologies.
BA vs BS degrees: Which is better?
To answer this question for yourself, consider the educational experience you’d like to have, and the skillset you’re hoping to gain, from a bachelor’s program.
If you are a curious person who would like to explore your options in undergrad, a BA allows you more flexibility in its curriculum, as it usually involves more electives. Additionally, if you are hoping to go into a field that involves working with people, such as management or helping professions, a BA equips you with the soft skills to navigate it effectively.
If you’re entering a technical field, you’ll benefit from the higher math and science credits offered in a BS program curriculum. Likewise, if your field isn’t technical per se but involves a research career path, like psychology, then a BS is a good way to develop the skills needed to succeed in related roles or graduate school programs.
If you’re not going into a field where quantitative skills are needed, it makes relatively little difference whether you go for a BA or a BS, at least in the eyes of employers.
Final thoughts
Choosing a specific type of degree can feel like an enormous decision. Whichever one you choose, remember that both a BA and BS degree will prepare you for an exciting and challenging career.
At the end of the day, try to pay less attention to the fancy title and more to the actual curriculum offered, which is more indicative of what you can expect from a degree program.
Still haven’t chosen a major for your undergraduate degree? Consider our handy college major assessments to support your decision making, or the degree quiz below to get a tailor-made list of the best colleges for you.
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