BA vs. BS by Major (Curriculum & Salary Guide)
A BA and a BS can lead to similar careers, but their required courses often differ. A BA commonly leaves more room for humanities, languages, or electives; a BS often includes more math, lab science, or technical study. These are patterns, not rules. Compare each program’s courses, cost, accreditation, and career requirements before choosing.
If you are stuck between two degree titles, start with the courses and credentials your goal requires. A quick fix is to find the degree audit or course list for each program, then compare it with job postings, graduate-school prerequisites, or licensing rules. The title alone cannot tell you which program fits.
I use that course-by-course approach because “BA” and “BS” do not have one national definition. Schools set their own requirements, and the same major can have different options at different colleges. The comparison below shows what to check, how salary data fits in, and where a degree name matters less than specific training.
Admissions and Program Overview: Comparing BA and BS Options by Major
A BA is a Bachelor of Arts, and a BS is a Bachelor of Science. Both are undergraduate degrees. Their names may suggest different approaches, but each school sets its own admissions rules and curriculum, so check the program catalog rather than relying on the title.
In many colleges, students apply to the institution first and choose a major later. Other schools admit students directly to a major, such as nursing or engineering. A major may also have extra requirements, limited seats, or minimum grades in certain courses. There is no national GPA or test-score threshold that applies to every BA or BS.
Ask admissions or advising staff:
- Is admission to the major separate from admission to the college?
- Are there prerequisite courses or a minimum grade for those courses?
- Does the program have a capacity limit or a separate application?
- Which courses must be completed before declaring the major?
BA and BS patterns by major
The table shows common designs, not fixed rules. A school may offer only one degree type, or its BA and BS versions may share many courses.
| Major | BA pattern often seen | BS pattern often seen | What to compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | More electives or language and social science courses | More statistics, research methods, or natural science | Research training and graduate-program prerequisites |
| Biology | More room for electives or humanities | More lab science, chemistry, and math | Lab hours, research options, and prerequisites for health programs |
| Computer science | More flexibility for electives or a second field | More math, computing theory, and technical courses | Programming sequence, math depth, and project work |
| Business | May include broader liberal arts study | May add quantitative or technical courses | Concentration, internships, accounting or analytics courses |
| Economics | May emphasize policy, history, or social context | May require more calculus, statistics, or econometrics | Math prerequisites for graduate study or analyst roles |
| Environmental science | May combine policy and social science | May stress chemistry, biology, fieldwork, or data | Required labs, field training, and target-job credentials |
Key takeaway: Ask for the required-course lists for both options. Similar degree names do not ensure similar preparation.
Degree Curriculum and Requirements: Credits, Prerequisites, and Concentrations
Most U.S. bachelor’s degrees require about 120 semester credits, though the institution’s catalog is the final authority. Both BA and BS programs usually include general education and major courses. The difference often lies in how credits are divided among the major, electives, and other required study.
A BA may leave more room for language study, humanities, or a second area of interest. A BS may require more mathematics, lab science, or technical courses. These are common patterns only. Some BA programs are highly quantitative, and some BS programs include substantial writing and general education.
Compare the full requirements, not just a sample course list. Count credits in the major, required supporting courses, electives, and general education. Then note prerequisites, course sequences, and whether classes are offered every term. A missed prerequisite can delay later courses and, in turn, graduation.
Check the following before enrolling:
- Total credits: Does the degree require about 120 credits, or more?
- Prerequisites: Do math, science, or language courses need to be completed early?
- Concentrations: Does the program offer a track tied to your interests or career goal?
- Experiential learning: Are internships, research, labs, or fieldwork available and required?
- Transfer credits: Which prior courses will the school accept toward the degree?
A student interested in biology and public policy, for example, might compare a biology BA with a biology BS. The BA could allow more policy electives, while the BS could provide more lab or science coursework. Neither is automatically better. A student planning for a science graduate program should confirm that the BA includes the required lab and science courses.
A practical program comparison
Use this template for two programs at the same college or at different schools. Fill it with information from current catalogs and advising offices.
| Measure | Program A | Program B |
|---|---|---|
| Required credits to graduate | Catalog figure | Catalog figure |
| Math, lab, and technical courses | List and credits | List and credits |
| Electives and second-field options | Available courses | Available courses |
| Internship, research, or fieldwork | Required or optional | Required or optional |
| Time to complete prerequisites | Terms needed | Terms needed |
| Program accreditation, if relevant | Accreditor and status | Accreditor and status |
| Estimated net price | After grants and scholarships | After grants and scholarships |
Next step: Ask an adviser to review the comparison and confirm the degree audit, especially if you have transfer credits or may change majors.
Academic Success and Student Experience: Advising, Internships, and Learning Opportunities
A degree title does not describe the full student experience. Advising access, course availability, research, internships, and class requirements can shape what you learn and how quickly you finish. These details matter for BA and BS students alike, especially when a career or graduate program expects specific skills.
Look at what students actually do in the program. Do courses include lab work, writing, coding, data analysis, presentations, or field research? Can students take electives outside the major? Are internships paid, and do students arrange them on their own? Ask the department for current details rather than assuming every opportunity is guaranteed.
For a concrete comparison, imagine two hypothetical psychology programs. One BA offers a wide range of electives but only one required research course. One BS requires more statistics and research methods. A student interested in research might favor the second structure, but should still check whether it offers lab experience and whether its courses meet graduate-school requirements. A student interested in another field may value the BA’s broader elective space. These examples illustrate course choices, not actual school outcomes.
Accreditation also needs a close look. Institutional accreditation and programmatic accreditation are different. Programmatic accreditation applies to certain professional fields and may matter for licensure or eligibility. Use the U.S. Department of Education’s accreditation database or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to check status. Accreditation by itself does not guarantee transfer of credits, a license, or a job.
Key takeaway: Check the learning opportunities and exact requirements that support your next step, not just the degree label.
Career Pathways and Employment Outcomes: Salary Evidence, Graduate Study, and Licensure
A salary is tied most directly to a person’s occupation, location, experience, and industry, not simply to whether the diploma says BA or BS. Salary figures can help you explore careers, but they do not predict what a specific graduate will earn. Compare the jobs each program prepares you to pursue and the credentials those jobs require.
The table uses U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) occupational median pay for May 2023. These are medians for workers in each occupation, across experience levels and degree paths. They are not starting salaries, major-specific earnings, or BA-versus-BS comparisons.
| Occupation related to these fields | BLS median annual pay, May 2023 | Important context |
|---|---|---|
| Software developers | $132,270 | Employers may assess technical skills and experience, not degree title alone |
| Accountants and auditors | $79,880 | Certification goals can affect course and credit planning |
| Environmental scientists and specialists | $78,980 | Some roles may value field, lab, or data experience |
| Psychologists | $92,740 | Many psychologist roles require graduate education and licensure |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook and May 2023 wage data. Pay varies by location and employer. For updated figures, consult the BLS occupation page.
Use salary data alongside job requirements. Search current postings for roles you may want and note the degree, courses, software, experience, and credentials they request. For graduate study, check the admissions page for each target program. A psychology BA or BS, for example, may not include the statistics or research prerequisites a particular graduate program expects.
For regulated work, contact the relevant licensing board. Confirm the required degree, coursework, supervised experience, and examinations before you commit. A program’s accreditation may be relevant, but verify the rules with the board rather than assuming a degree title meets them.
Cost is part of the comparison, too. Use each school’s net price estimate, which accounts for grants and scholarships, and check whether aid renews each year and what conditions apply. Compare likely time to degree, borrowing, and transfer-credit decisions. A program with fewer credits is not automatically cheaper if required courses are unavailable or aid differs.
Next step: Match a program’s courses to specific job, graduate-school, or licensing requirements, then compare its net cost and published outcomes.
How to Choose Between a BA and a BS
The best choice is the program that provides the required preparation at a manageable cost and fits how you want to study. A BA is not inherently less rigorous, and a BS is not inherently more employable. The actual curriculum, experience, and next-step requirements determine how well each option serves your plans.
Follow this sequence:
- Name a likely destination. List two or three jobs, graduate programs, or licenses you may pursue.
- Check required preparation. Use employer postings, graduate admissions pages, or licensing-board rules.
- Compare course requirements. Map prerequisites, credits, electives, labs, and technical courses.
- Check cost and timing. Review net price, aid renewal terms, transfer decisions, and course schedules.
- Recheck each term. Use a degree audit and meet with an adviser before changing majors or adding prerequisites.
You do not need to settle your entire career at 18. But if you have a likely goal, verify its requirements early. That small step can reduce the risk of taking extra courses or delaying graduation.
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers address the common questions students ask when choosing between a BA and a BS. Because degree rules vary by school, treat them as starting points and confirm details in the current catalog or with an adviser.
Is a BA easier than a BS?
Not by definition. Difficulty depends on the courses, instructors, workload, and a student’s strengths. Compare required courses rather than assuming one title means less rigor.
Does a BS pay more than a BA?
There is no reliable general rule that the BS title itself raises pay. Occupation, skills, experience, location, and industry are more useful salary comparisons.
Can I get a science job with a BA?
Often, but employers may require specific science courses, lab skills, or experience. Check job postings and confirm that the BA includes the required preparation.
Is a BA or BS better for psychology?
Neither is universally better. Compare statistics, research methods, lab experience, electives, and prerequisites for your intended graduate program or career.
Do graduate schools prefer a BA or BS?
Requirements vary by program. Admissions offices generally publish prerequisite courses and other criteria. Check those requirements directly rather than relying on the degree title.
Do BA and BS degrees require the same number of credits?
They may, but not always. Many bachelor’s degrees require about 120 semester credits; the school’s catalog sets the actual total.
Does accreditation affect whether I can get a license?
It can matter in some fields, but rules differ by license and state. Confirm degree, coursework, and accreditation rules with the licensing board.
Can I switch from a BA to a BS or change majors?
Often, but credits may not all apply to the new requirements. Ask for a degree audit before switching and check how the change affects time and cost.
Which should I choose if I am undecided?
Compare programs with flexible electives and courses that keep likely options open. Also check prerequisites for fields you may want, since some sequences begin early.
Where can I compare salary outcomes?
Use BLS data to review pay by occupation. For a school’s graduates, look for program-level outcomes and note how the data was collected and which graduates it covers.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Michael Harrington. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
