What Is the Difference between a BS and a BA Degree?

What Is a Bachelor of Science Degree (BS)?

A Bachelor of Science degree, or BS degree, is an undergraduate degree “which usually signifies that the recipient has done the greater part of his or her course work in the sciences with some specialization in a particular science.”¹ BS degrees are also commonly conferred in mathematics and technical fields (e.g., information technology (IT)).

Generally speaking, compared to BA degree programs, BS degree programs tend to require completion of more courses specifically tied to the student’s chosen field of study, leaving students less room to pursue elective courses. These programs emphasize the development of technical skills and knowledge and may include lab course requirements.

Common BS Degree Program Fields of Study

• Accounting
• Computer Science
• Cybersecurity
• Engineering
• Information Technology (IT)
• Mathematics

What Is a Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA)?

A Bachelor of Arts degree, or BA degree, is an undergraduate degree “which usually signifies that the recipient has passed a certain number of courses in the humanities.”² BA degrees are often conferred in liberal arts fields. Liberal arts are “college or university studies (such as language, philosophy, literature, or abstract science) intended to provide chiefly general knowledge and to develop general intellectual capacities (such as reason and judgment) as opposed to professional or vocational skills.”³

Typically, students pursuing a BA degree program will complete coursework designed to help them build a solid liberal arts foundation before focusing on coursework that is directly tied to their chosen field of study. Compared to students who pursue BS degree programs, students in BA degree programs generally have more flexibility to pursue elective courses.

Common BA Degree Program Fields of Study

• Communication
• Economics
• Education
• English
• History
• Journalism
• Philosophy
• Theater

Exceptions to the BS vs. BA Degree Distinction

Now that we have identified the general difference between BS and BA degree programs, it is time for the bad news—the BS vs. BA degree distinction just discussed does not always hold.

As you compare programs and curricula, you might find that one institution’s BA degree program in your desired field of study is substantially similar to another institution’s BS degree program in the same field. Or you might find that some institutions offer BA and BS degree programs in the same field—for example, they give students the option to pursue a BS in Physics or a BA in Physics. You may even find that certain traditional liberal arts degree programs, such as English, may occasionally be offered only as a BS degree program, or that traditional scientific or technical fields, such as mathematics, may be offered only as a BA degree program.

Common Fields of Study with Option to Pursue Either BS or BA

• Anthropology
• Biology
• Business Administration (also available as a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA))
• Chemistry
• Criminal Justice
• Healthcare Management (also available as a Bachelor of Healthcare Management (BHCM))
• Physics

BS vs. BA Degree: What Is a “Better” Degree?

If you are wondering whether a BA or BS is the better degree or whether one is more prestigious in general, the answer is “no.” Both are baccalaureate degrees conferred upon those who successfully complete their undergraduate course of study; neither is more distinguished or advanced than the other. You can pursue a BS or BA degree program regardless of whether you already have an associate degree or have never attended college before. And both can help you prepare to pursue a master’s degree in the future.

But if your question is whether a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science is the better degree for you, the answer perhaps is not so clear. If the school you are interested in offers both a BA and a BS degree track for your intended field of study, you will have to carefully consider the curriculum differences as well as the potentially different career paths the programs are designed to prepare you for.

Or, if you have done your research and found that employers in your desired field do have a preference for one or the other, then you should factor that into your decision-making.

But if you find yourself torn between a degree program offered as a BA at one school and a BS at another, and you know that employers in your field do not typically prefer a BS vs. BA degree, or vice versa, then you may want to focus less on the letters and more on other factors. You might instead focus on considerations such as whether the program offers flexible class scheduling, 100% online or hybrid attendance options, typical time to degree, or credit for prior learning or experience.

BS vs. BA Degree: How Do You Decide?

• Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees are equivalent undergraduate degrees—one is not more advanced than the other.
• BS degree programs include general education requirements, but their curricula typically include more mandatory courses directly tied to the field of study than a BA program would.
• BA degree programs also include general education requirements, but their curricula typically allow for more flexibility to pursue electives and build a strong liberal arts foundation.
• Some fields of degree may be more commonly associated with one degree type or the other, but exceptions abound.
• Employers in a certain field or industry could have a preference for one type of degree over the other, so do your research.

The overall message, as you move through the process of trying to choose a degree program, is to view things holistically. Consider whether you want to pursue a degree program whose curriculum is more narrowly tailored toward your chosen field of study or whether you would like the freedom to pursue electives that complement, perhaps indirectly, your studies. Also consider whether employers in your chosen field prefer a BS vs. BA (or a BA vs. BS). And do not neglect to consider factors that could affect your time to degree and finances, such as whether it is possible to apply prior education or experience credits that can potentially help reduce your time to degree or out-of-pocket costs.

Explore AIU’s online bachelor’s degree programs today, or apply now.

¹ Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, “Bachelor of Science,” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Bachelor%20of%20Science (last visited Mar. 6, 2025).
² Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, “Bachelor of Arts,” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Bachelor%20of%20Arts (last visited Mar. 6, 2025).
³ Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, “liberal arts,” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liberal%20arts (last visited Mar. 6, 2025).

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