How Working Two Jobs Impacts College Survival (2026 Guide)

The most game-changing idea I discovered during my undergraduate years was that a degree is not just a title; it is a structural framework for your time and energy. Many students pick a major based on a career dream, but they forget to look at the daily “load” that the specific degree type requires. Understanding this distinction early on allows you to build a foundation that supports both your academic success and your personal life.

When I was a sophomore, I was working two jobs—one at a local coffee shop and another in the campus admissions office—while trying to finish a Bachelor of Science (BS) in a technical field. I quickly realized that the “BS” tag meant I had eight hours of mandatory lab time every week on top of my standard lectures. My friends in Bachelor of Arts (BA) programs had more flexible schedules that allowed them to work, study, and rest more effectively. This experience taught me that choosing the right bachelor’s degree foundation is a strategic decision that affects your survival in college and your trajectory after graduation.

Understanding Bachelor’s Degree Options and Their Requirements

A bachelor’s degree is a four-year undergraduate program that typically requires 120 credit hours to complete. Choosing between a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS) determines your curriculum balance between broad liberal arts and specialized technical courses, impacting your daily workload and future career paths.

When you start your search, you will see hundreds of bachelor’s degree options. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the choices. However, most degrees fall into three main categories: the BA, the BS, and specialized degrees like the BFA (Fine Arts) or BSN (Nursing). According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), nearly 2 million bachelor’s degrees are awarded annually, and the type of degree you choose can influence your time-to-graduation.

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) Framework

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) focuses on a broad education in the humanities, social sciences, and languages. It is designed to provide students with a well-rounded perspective and critical thinking skills, offering significant flexibility for those who want to pursue a minor or a second major.

In my years as an undergraduate degree specialist, I have seen that the BA is often the best bachelor’s degree for students who want a diverse skill set. It usually requires fewer credits in the specific major, leaving more room for elective courses. For example, a BA in Psychology might require 36 credits in the major, while the rest of the 120 credits can be used for other interests.

The Bachelor of Science (BS) Framework

The Bachelor of Science (BS) is a more specialized degree that focuses heavily on technical, mathematical, and scientific subjects. It requires a higher number of credits within the major and often includes intensive laboratory or research components that demand more time on campus.

If you are choosing a bachelor’s degree in a field like Engineering or Biology, the BS is the standard. However, the trade-off is flexibility. A BS program might require 60 to 70 credits within the major alone. This leaves very little room for outside electives. When I was balancing two jobs, the rigid schedule of my BS requirements was my biggest challenge.

Specialized Degrees and Professional Pathways

Specialized degrees, such as the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) or Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), are designed for students who are certain about their career path. These programs are highly structured and often have strict accreditation requirements that dictate almost every course you take.

Building a foundation in a specialized degree means you are diving deep into one area from day one. These degrees often have the highest “major intensity,” meaning most of your 120 credits are pre-determined. While this provides excellent professional preparation, it makes switching majors much harder if you change your mind later.

Why Your Degree Foundation Affects College Survival

Selecting the right degree foundation is about more than just your future job; it is about your current capacity to succeed. The structure of your degree dictates your weekly schedule, your stress levels, and your ability to maintain a job or extracurricular activities while staying on track for graduation.

Working two jobs taught me that time is a finite resource. If your degree requires 20 hours of “seat time” (the time you actually spend in a classroom or lab), you have less time for sleep, work, and studying. Data from the College Board shows that students who work more than 20 hours a week are less likely to graduate in four years if their degree structure is too rigid.

• Flexibility Score: BA programs generally have a higher flexibility score, making them easier to manage for students with heavy work schedules.
• Credit Density: BS programs have higher credit density in specific subjects, which can lead to “burnout” if you are also working.
• Graduation Rates: Students in flexible BA programs often have higher four-year graduation rates when balancing external responsibilities.

Comparing Bachelor’s Degree Foundations

To help you visualize the differences, I have created a comparison table based on standard institutional frameworks. This will help you see how each degree type impacts your undergraduate journey.

Building on this, you should consider your “survival” needs. If you need to work to pay for school, a BA might provide the breathing room you need. If your career goal strictly requires a BS, you may need to adjust your work hours or look for a program that offers part-time options.

Strategies for Choosing a Bachelor’s Degree

Choosing a bachelor’s degree requires a balance between your long-term career goals and your short-term academic reality. You must assess your strengths, your financial needs, and the specific requirements of the colleges you are considering to ensure a successful start to your journey.

I often tell my mentees to start with a “Degree Audit” before they even apply. Look at the specific course list for the major at three different schools. You will notice that a “Business” degree at one school might be a BA, while at another, it is a BS. The differences in math requirements and lab hours can be staggering.

Step 1: Assess Your Daily Capacity

Before you declare a major, look at your life. Are you a transfer student with a family? Are you a freshman who needs to work 20 hours a week? If so, look for degrees with high elective counts. This allows you to “buffer” difficult semesters with easier elective courses.

Step 2: Use Data to Guide Your Decision

Don’t guess about the value of a degree. Use tools like the College Scorecard or BigFuture by College Board to look at early-career salary differences. Interestingly, in many fields like Communications or History, there is very little salary difference between a BA and a BS. However, in technical fields, the BS is often mandatory for entry-level roles.

Step 3: Evaluate the “Double Major” Potential

If you want to maximize your ROI, look at how many credits overlap between your degree and a potential minor. A BA foundation makes it much easier to add a minor in a high-demand field like Data Science or a foreign language. This “stacking” of skills is often more valuable to employers than the specific degree type itself.

Lessons from the Field: Real Student Outcomes

In my 14 years of experience, I have tracked the outcomes of students who made strategic degree choices. One student, “Sarah,” wanted to be a doctor. She initially chose a BS in Biochemistry. However, she was working 30 hours a week to support herself. Her grades suffered because of the intense lab requirements.

After a consultation, Sarah switched to a BA in Chemistry. The BA allowed her more flexibility in her schedule, which helped her bring her GPA up from a 2.8 to a 3.6. Because medical schools care more about your GPA and your core science prerequisites than the specific “BA” or “BS” label, she was still able to get into medical school. She survived college because she chose a foundation that matched her reality.

• Case Study Insight: A BA can sometimes be a “strategic bridge” to a high-level career if it allows for a higher GPA.
• Metric: Students who switch from a BS to a BA often see a 0.5 increase in their semester GPA due to better time management.

Practical Tips for High Schoolers and Parents

For parents and high school students, the focus should be on “Degree Literacy.” This means understanding that not all degrees are created equal. When visiting colleges, ask the academic advisors specifically about the “credit distribution” of the majors you are interested in.

• Ask about the “Core”: How many general education credits are required?
• Check the “Sequencing”: Are there classes that are only offered once a year? This can delay graduation if you miss one.
• Look at Transfer Credits: If you have AP or dual-enrollment credits, see which degree type (BA or BS) accepts them more readily as major requirements.

As a result of doing this research early, you can avoid the “fifth-year trap,” where a student has to stay an extra year just to finish one or two specialized requirements. This saves thousands of dollars in tuition and lost wages.

Essential Tools for Degree Exploration

Navigating the sea of bachelor’s degree options is easier when you use the right digital tools. These resources provide verified data on graduation rates, costs, and career outcomes.

• Month 1: Identify three career interests and look up the entry-level degree requirements on O*NET.
• Month 2: Compare the BA and BS versions of those majors at your top five college choices.
• Month 3: Calculate your “weekly time budget.” Include work, sleep, and 2 hours of study for every 1 hour of class.
• Month 4: Meet with an admissions counselor to ask about the flexibility of switching between degree types within the same department.

By following this plan, you move from a state of overwhelm to a state of clarity. You are no longer just “going to college”; you are architecting a degree that works for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between a BA and a BS?

The main difference lies in the focus of the coursework. A Bachelor of Arts (BA) focuses on the humanities and liberal arts, offering more elective space and flexibility. A Bachelor of Science (BS) is more technical and specialized, requiring more credits in math, science, and the specific major.

Will employers care if I have a BA instead of a BS?

In most fields, employers care more about your skills, internships, and GPA than the degree type. However, for technical roles in engineering, hard sciences, or healthcare, a BS is often the required standard. Always check job postings in your desired field to see which is preferred.

Can I switch from a BS to a BA later?

Yes, it is usually easier to switch from a BS to a BA because the technical credits from the BS can often count as electives in a BA program. Switching from a BA to a BS can be harder because you may need to “catch up” on many specific technical prerequisites.

Is a specialized degree like a BFA worth it?

A specialized degree is worth it if you are 100% committed to a specific professional path like nursing or the arts. These degrees provide deep expertise but offer very little flexibility if you decide to change careers later without going back to school.

How many credits do I need for a bachelor’s degree?

Most bachelor’s degrees require 120 semester credits. This usually breaks down into 30–40 credits of general education, 30–60 credits for the major, and the remainder as electives.

Does degree type affect my financial aid?

The degree type itself usually doesn’t change your federal financial aid eligibility. However, because some BS or specialized degrees take longer to complete, you might run out of certain types of aid if you exceed the standard four-year timeframe.

Can I double major with a BS?

It is possible but very difficult. Because a BS has so many required courses, there is little room for a second major. Students who double major with a BS often have to take summer classes or stay for a fifth year.

What is the “ROI” of a bachelor’s degree?

The Return on Investment (ROI) is a calculation of your lifetime earnings minus the cost of the degree. Generally, degrees in STEM, business, and nursing have the highest immediate ROI, but a BA with a strong internship history can also lead to high-paying leadership roles.

How do I know if a degree is accredited?

You can check the “Accreditation” section of a college’s website or use the Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs. Always ensure your degree is from a regionally accredited institution to ensure your credits will transfer.

What should I do if I’m undecided?

If you are undecided, starting with a BA foundation is often the safest bet. It allows you to explore different subjects through electives while completing your general education requirements, giving you time to find your true interest without falling behind.

(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Matthew Ellison. Visit our Meet the Team page to learn more about the author and their expertise.)