BA vs. BS – What’s the Difference?
By Joy Miller
Edited by Tania Staley
Updated on January 19, 2025
Choosing the right degree program can feel overwhelming, especially when comparing a BA vs. BS degree. These degree options are offered across a wide range of disciplines, but their names hint at deeper distinctions that aren’t always obvious. To make the best decision for your education and career, it’s crucial to understand what each degree type represents and how it aligns with your goals.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about these two degree types, from their unique characteristics to how they shape learning experiences and career paths. Whether you’re just starting your college search or deciding between programs, you’ll find the clarity you need to choose with confidence.
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The key difference between a BA and BS degree program is where you want to take your career long-term.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
A BA can allow you to study a wide range of subjects related to both your major as well as general education courses such as writing, art, history, philosophy, and religion.
This broad foundation for your degree can help you pursue an education that reflects your interests and passions.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
A BS degree is first and foremost a science degree and usually focuses heavily on science and mathematics courses, building a technical understanding of your major.
A BS degree typically has a more substantial major requirement than a BA. A BS major typically requires around 54 credits.
What is a Bachelor of Arts degree? Simply put, the B.A. degree definition is a Bachelor of Arts degree. More broadly, a Bachelor of Arts degree is typically designed to provide students with a comprehensive education balancing major courses with a general education focused on the liberal arts.
Out of the usual 120 to 180 required credits for a B.A., your major will likely only comprise of around 36 credits.
Other required credits for a B.A. may be through courses in:
Bachelor of Arts degrees are generally offered in fields related to humanities and the arts such as liberal arts, communication, foreign languages, English, music, and journalism.
The textbook BS degree definition is a Bachelor of Science degree that prepares you for work in the technical field. According to California Polytechnic State University, a BS major requires 54 credit hours.
A BS degree student may major in fields such as:
Bachelor of Science degrees are generally offered in science or technology fields such as computer science, biology, physics, chemistry, biochemistry, environmental science, and mathematics.
Yes, a number of universities allow you to choose between these two types of degrees: a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in certain fields. For example, it’s common to see universities offering both a BA/BS in Business, Psychology, and Economics, to name a few.
Many students find that a Bachelor of Arts offers more flexibility and elective courses, so it might be considered one of the easiest degrees depending on your major. That being said, math and science are a breeze for many technically-inclined students. For that reason, choosing between a BA or BS degree is largely a personal choice, especially if you feel that you are strong in the social sciences/humanities (B.A degree) or math and science (B.S. degree).
For those of you who want to get college credits fast, a BA degree may be a better option as it generally offers more elective courses with no pre-requisites.
Every university or college has a slightly different course schedule; however, there are several overarching course expectations for BA and BS students. Using a Business degree as an example, Concordia University states that a BA degree will have more required liberal arts classes such as history, communication, English, religion, and writing. In contrast, a BS degree will have courses that are more focused on math, science, and statistics.
While many universities offer the same majors in either a BS or a BA, that doesn’t mean that they are the same degree. This table compares and contrasts several significant aspects of a BS and a BA.
| Key Components | Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor of Science |
| Average Credit hours for major | 36 | 54 |
| Average Required Credits in the 300-400 Level for Major | 18 | 27 |
| Time to Complete Degree | Usually 3 to 4 years | Usually 3 to 5 years |
| Common Fields of Study |
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| Average Number of Electives | 28 credit hours | 12 credit hours |
Both degrees can offer value to students and potential employees, but this value increases when it pairs with an understanding of where you want your career to take you.
Despite having the same major, the courses that you take in a B.A. will be different than the courses you take for a B.S., aligning you toward different careers.
A B.A. typically prepares students to work hands-on with individuals, while a B.S. typically develops more technical skills. An example of this is how a B.A. in Psychology can help prepare you to be a counselor. In contrast, a B.S. in Psychology can better prepare you for medical school and a career in medicine.
According to U.S. News, a key difference in-between a B.A. and a B.S. is the breadth and depth of a career applicant’s understanding. A B.A. is more likely to give you a broad knowledge of the field, while a B.S. is more likely to study a particular area in great depth. Both are quality attributes in a career trajectory but may have different values based on what a prospective employer needs.
The degree you choose can have life-altering implications down the line, so it’s no wonder that people often ask questions like: If I earn a BA in Computer Science will I earn less than if I get a BS in Computer Science? What is the highest paying bachelors degree? What are the salary differences in a Psychology BA vs. BS or Biology BA vs. BS?
Overall, there is little difference in pay expectations for a BA vs. a BS.
As you consider the differences in salary for BA and BS degrees it is essential to consider what you want to get out of your degree and how the salary expectations for a BA or a BS will impact your decision.
A BA degree stands for Bachelor of Arts degree.
A BS degree stands for a Bachelor of Science degree.
BA/BS degrees are not the same degrees.
The key differences between the two types of bachelor degrees: Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science are that a B.A. are that a B.A. typically requires more courses in the humanities (writing, art, history, philosophy, or religion) while a B.S. usually has more science and mathematics courses.
A business degree can be achieved as either a B.A. or a B.S. It is largely dependent on the school administration’s policy. At many universities, you have the option to choose either one.
The difference between a BA in Computer Science and a BS in Computer Science will vary depending on the university. That being said, in most cases, the Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science will be considered a Humanities track while the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science will be considered a Science track.
To give you an example, let’s take a quick look at Florida State University which offers both a Computer Science BA and BS.
According to the university, the key differences between the Computer Science BA vs. BS are as follows:
Here’s the program guide for the Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science:
And here’s the program guide for the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science:
Although this is just an example of one university, it can help to give you a very real sense of the key differences between pursuing a Computer Science BA vs. BS. The same is true for a degree in Computer Programming.
The primary difference between a Psychology BA vs. BS is that the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology has more psychology-focused courses which are social science courses. In contrast, the Bachelor of Science in Psychology is considered a Science track for students interested in pursuing careers in science. Instead of focusing so heavily on psychology, there are additional course requirements such as biology, calculus, and chemistry. This may be a great fit for you if you are interested in heading to graduate school.
Let’s take a quick look at Concordia University which offers both the Psychology BA and the Psychology BS degrees.
According to the university, the key differences between the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and the Bachelor of Science in Psychology are as follows:
The choice of a Psychology BA vs. BS depends largely on what you want to do after graduation. If you plan to head to graduate school, then Concordia recommends the BS in Psychology. If you want to get right into the workforce, then the BA in Psychology may be a better option.
The main difference between a Biology BA vs. BS is the Bachelor of Science in Biology is a Science track while the Bachelor of Arts in Biology is a Humanities or Social Sciences track.
The key difference between an Economics BA vs. BS is the Bachelor of Science in Economics is a Science track while the Bachelor of Arts in Economics is a Social Sciences track.
In the BA track, you’re likely to study more theoretical concepts and history of the economy, with a broad overview of the financial world. The science track will likely focus more on statistics and business math, giving you a better grounding in calculating interest rates, annuities, and returns on investment.
The main difference between a Physics BA vs. BS is the Bachelor of Science in Physics is a Science track while the Bachelor of Arts in Physics is a Humanities track.
The main difference between a Chemistry BA vs. BS is the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry is a Science track while the Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry is a Social Sciences or Humanities degree track.
The main difference between a Mathematics BA vs. BS is the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics is a Science track while the Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics is a Humanities or Social Sciences track.
Generally speaking, a Bachelor of Arts usually has more flexibility because there are more elective courses. But a large number of accredited universities now offer fast-track online classes that can be completed in 5 weeks to 8 weeks, the fastest way to get a bachelor’s degree online. If you enroll at one of these universities, a BA degree still might give you more flexibility, but the BS degree can be completed quickly, too.
As you wrestle with the decision of a BA degree vs. BS degree, plus whether to get a bachelor’s degree online vs. on campus, knowing where you want to take your career can help give you direction as to which degree you choose. By understanding your intended career trajectory, you can choose whether having the initials BA or BS behind your degree will better support your ambitions and desires.
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