How to Compare a Bachelor's Degree & a Master's Degree

There are several differences between a Bachelor's and a Master's degree.

Bachelor's and Master's degrees differ in several ways. It is important to decide which is the best investment of time and money for your personal and career goals.

Instructions

1. Look first at how long a Bachelor's degree takes to complete compared to a Master's degree. A Bachelor's degree generally takes four years to complete, and a Master's degree usually takes two at colleges in the United States. (In the U.K., they can just take a year.) There are some programs in which a student can complete a Bachelor's degree and a Master's in just five years.

2. Consider the earning potential of each degree. A U.S. Census Bureau survey over the years 1998 to 2000 found that people who hold a Master's degree earn an average of $62,300 per year, and those with a Bachelor's degree earn $52,200.

3. Compare the types of Bachelor's and Master's degrees. Both Bachelor's and Master's degrees can be of two types: Bachelor's of Arts or Science, or Master's of Arts or Science. A Master's degree can be of other types as well, including an M.B.A., a Master's of Business Administration.

4. Look at the focus and intensity of study for each degree. A Bachelor's degree is a more broad degree; a student will spend the first two years taking a variety of courses that may not relate specifically to the degree's area of study. A Master's degree focuses more narrowly on one discipline and provides more practical training in that field than a Bachelor's degree.

   A Bachelor's degree must be completed before a student can earn a Master's degree, and, in general, a Master's degree must be completed before a student goes on to study for a doctorate (Ph.D.) degree.

References

• Earn My Degree: Value of Education