What is a bachelor’s degree, and is it worth it?

Key takeaways about bachelor's degrees

• A bachelor’s degree is a four-year undergraduate degree designed to prepare you for a career or grad school.
• The most common types are B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) and B.S. (Bachelor of Science).
• It usually takes about four years to earn a bachelor’s degree—but that can vary.
• Graduates often earn more money and have more job opportunities.
• Financial aid like scholarships and grants can help you pay for your degree.

What is a bachelor’s degree?

Think of a bachelor’s degree as your first big step into college life—and toward your future career. It usually takes around four years of full-time classes, and it’s one of the most common ways to prep for jobs that need specific skills or a certain level of education.

Whether you’re dreaming of becoming a teacher, nurse, engineer, or still figuring it out (totally normal!), a bachelor’s degree helps get you there. You’ll take about 120 credits worth of classes—some general stuff, some focused on your major, and some electives where you can explore what interests you.

What are the different types of bachelor’s degrees?

All bachelor’s degrees help you earn that diploma—but they’re not all the same vibe.

Here are a few of the most common types you’ll see:

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.): More focused on the humanities—like language, literature, and social sciences. Perfect if you’re into subjects like psychology, history, or English.
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.): Leans more into math, science, and technical skills. Think majors like biology, nursing, or computer science.
• Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.): All about creativity—ideal if you’re planning to study visual or performing arts.
• Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A): Business-focused, with classes in marketing, management, and finance. Great if you’re aiming for the corporate world or want to start your own thing someday.

Each type has its own strengths. The best one for you? It depends on what you’re into—and where you want to go after college.

How long will it take me to earn a bachelor’s degree?

Most students finish their bachelor’s in about four years. But the timeline isn’t set in stone.

Some students take a lighter course load and spread it out over five or six years. Others might bring in AP or dual-enrollment credits from high school, or take summer classes to finish early. Your schedule, your pace.

How much does getting a bachelor’s degree cost?

Costs vary by school, location, and whether you're attending in-state or out-of-state. According to the College Board, the average published price (aka “sticker price”) per year for tuition and fees in 2024–25 was:

• $11,610 at public four-year colleges (in-state)
• $30,780 at public four-year colleges (out-of-state)
• $43,350 at private nonprofit colleges

That adds up fast—but don’t let the numbers scare you. Most students don’t pay full price. Scholarships, grants, and financial aid can make a big difference. Learn about scholarships for college students or explore scholarships for college freshmen to get started.

How do you get a bachelor’s degree?

There's no one "correct" path to getting your degree—you need to figure out what's right for you. That said, here’s a path many students follow:

1. Finish high school or earn a GED.
2. Apply to colleges—use Scout College Search to find schools that fit your goals.
3. Get accepted and enroll in a program.
4. Choose a major—or explore a bit before deciding.
5. Complete 120 credits of coursework. This includes required classes and electives.
6. Maintain a minimum GPA—usually around 2.0, though some programs may require higher.
7. Graduate and earn your degree!

You might also transfer from a community college or take online courses—there’s more than one way to make it happen.

Is a bachelor’s degree worth it?

Short answer: For many people, yes. But it’s not the only path—and it’s not automatically the right one for everyone.

A bachelor’s degree can lead to better job options, higher pay, and more career flexibility. On average, people with a bachelor’s earn about $1.2 million more over their lifetime than those with just a high school diploma, according to the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce.

But here's the thing: college is a big investment of time, energy, and money. And depending on your goals, there might be other options that make more sense—like trade school, coding bootcamps, community college, or going straight into the workforce and gaining experience.

Some things to ask yourself before committing to a four-year degree:

• Do I know what I want to study—and do I need a degree to do that work?
• Am I ready to take on student loans, or do I have a plan to pay for school?
• Would a shorter or more affordable program get me where I want to go faster?
• Am I choosing college because it’s what I want—or because I feel like I have to?

It’s okay to take a beat and think it through. Success doesn’t look the same for everyone. The most important thing? Making a choice that fits you and your goals.

What are the financial benefits of a bachelor’s degree?

Money isn’t everything—but let’s be real, it matters. Here are some financial upsides to earning a bachelor’s:

• Higher earning potential: Workers with a bachelor’s degree earn more than high school grads, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Lower unemployment rates: The unemployment rate for bachelor’s degree holders is lower than for high school grads (BLS).
• Access to higher-paying careers: Many jobs in healthcare, tech, and business require a four-year degree.
• Room for growth: A bachelor’s opens the door to graduate school if you want to level up later.

Still worried about how to pay for college? Scholly Scholarships is a smart tool to match with scholarships you qualify for.

Popular majors for bachelor’s degrees

Your major is your main area of study. Some of the most popular bachelor’s degree majors include:

• Business administration
• Psychology
• Nursing
• Biology
• Education
• Engineering
• Computer science
• Communications
• Political science
• Economics

You don’t have to know your major right away—many colleges give you time to explore.

What can I do with a bachelor’s degree?

A lot, honestly.

A bachelor’s degree qualifies you for many entry-level jobs in fields like healthcare, tech, education, business, media, and public service. Depending on your major, you might work as a teacher, software developer, marketing coordinator, analyst, nurse, or in a creative field like design or writing.

It also sets you up for grad school, law school, or med school if you decide to go further.

Is a bachelor’s degree the right move for me?

Only you can decide that—but it’s a strong choice if you want to expand your options, make more money, and grow as a person. You don’t need to have everything figured out. College is one way to figure it out along the way.

Start where you are. Use tools like Scout College Search and Scholly Scholarships to plan smart and find support. Your journey is yours—but you don’t have to do it alone.