What is a Better Degree BA or BS?
Bachelor of science vs. Bachelor of arts – which one is better and more valued by employers? In short, bachelor of arts means that students go through a program that is focused more on theoretical and abstract concepts, especially in humanities subjects, without too much technical focus or practical application. Bachelor of science means a program that makes students focused more on technical and practical aspects and applications in their education, especially in the area of science or engineering. So, what is a better degree of BA or BS?
That is a theoretical definition of the difference. Initially, BA meant that students studied more humanity subjects – art, history, language, and so on. BS meant that students took more of, well, science subjects – biology, chemistry, and engineering, or architecture.
Although, nowadays this difference gets blurred more and more. Still, those pursuing bachelor of art degrees will take more humanities classes and classes outside of their selected major. Those pursuing bachelor of science degrees will need to take more of science classes and/or classes focused on their major.
That reflects growing trend where those pursuing BS in their studies are focused more on their major, while BA students have greater flexibility and can take unrelated classes from humanities or other areas.
Why BA may be beneficial in this context? Here is a trick. BA could be an option if for some reason you rather want a good GPA by taking irrelevant but easy classes, instead of focusing on your major with classes where grading is hard.
For example, those freshmen who already plan to go to law school or pursue other non-technical master’s degree may want to focus on increasing their undergraduate GPA by doing BA option, rather than be limited in selection of their classes by BS option.
The Difference Between the Two
I would tend to think that BS degrees are looked more favorably upon by employers. But, in my opinion, one must pursue bs in the topic that already has a practical application. For example, BS in accounting means the program is focused on studying practical accounting – how to do accounting in a real-life setting. The same goes for BS in science or computer science – real-life lab work, or app creation.
However, in modern reality, these two types of bachelor’s degrees get mixed more and more. For example, more colleges offer programs for BS in social studies. In theory, that would mean that students in these programs are studying some practical applications for future work.
However, how do they prepare for the practical application of ancient studies? I have no idea, frankly. What is a better degree BA or BS for such major – I would not be able to tell you. Probably, there would be no difference. BA in social studies (or, liberal studies) means that students are probably set for pursuing PhDs or masters in those fields. Because they focus on theory and research.
How to Choose between BS or BA Degree?
The good thing is that now many employers do not see the difference between the BA and BS as critical. What they look for includes:
- practical skills,
- college or university rank and reputation,
- grades.
First, I always suggest looking at college rank, or program rank. Top-rated colleges always offer better employment opportunities. They usually have large alumnae networks that often hire graduates from the school they went to.
Next, look at what types of degrees they offer, and how well are ranked those specific programs of your choosing.
TIP: Unless someone wants to study theory for some reason, I would go for a practical major focus. More practical majors with skills in demand have better employment prospects.
And, I also would try to go for a good-ranking college. Either BA or BS in liberal studies from Harvard or Yale may land to graduate an interesting and well-paid job, even in an unrelated industry. Just because it is Harvard or Yale. But BS in liberal studies from the top 400 unknown colleges probably will land no job at graduation.
Because college rank matters. And program rank matters. And industry demand for particular major matters. Accountants, engineers, and scientists do find jobs, for example, because there is a demand for those skills, and those skills are practical by their very definition. You will find that these three areas often offer a bachelor of science degree.
If you cannot get into a top college – go for practical skills degree – accounting, science, engineering, or something in that realm. And remember, some but not all undergraduate mistakes can later be fixed with a master’s degree. But do not count on that – employers like to see what you did you study as for your BS or BA degree.
The exception is professional schools like law school or medical school. Law schools do not care much about your BA or BS. They care about your undergraduate college rank, your undergraduate GPA, and your LSAT. But they do care if you studied true science or engineering. Because they know those graduates can find attorney jobs more easily due to demand in IP and patent law area.
Medical school will require science degrees. Like BS in biology or chemistry. You must check their specific requirements for undergraduate classes.
But if you want to work as a teacher of English, then I do not think you will find many colleges offering a BS in English. It is very much humanities degree and most programs will offer BA.
What Did Other People Say?
In my research I have seen quite many experienced professionals who said that BS generally is looked more favorably by employers than BA. BS has more applications in real life. A graduate with an undergraduate BS also can either go for Ph.D. or can look for a job requiring practical knowledge.
Others say there is not much difference. I see that there is, otherwise why would there be these two different designations in the first place?
Some suggest that, if you hate math and science, and are strictly interested in studying humanities, then BA is the choice. On the opposite, for those interested in science and precise disciplines like engineering or architecture, BS may be a proper option.
The difference in the value of BA vs BS depends on the selected major and each college. Some colleges may have BA or BS for a certain major, others have only one of the two. Other majors are not suitable for BS or BA.
Choosing Between BA or BS Degrees
For example, philosophy is tailored for a BA degree. Philosophy is heavily theoretical humanities subject and does not have a technical aspect, although it has research and academic aspects.
At the same time, a bachelor’s in psychology can go either BA or BS. BA is focused on studying principles of psychology and its theory, relevant to academic papers. Where BS in psychology is focused more on psychology research and real-world application.
Let’s take marketing for example. BS in marketing offers students the opportunity to concentrate on market research and analysis for becoming a market analyst. While BA is a more generalist degree. I would think that for those who go to lower-ranking colleges BS marketing would be a better option than BA because of BS yields more practical skills.
But for top ranking schools, this may not matter, as marketing BA from University of Pennsylvania, for example, may open doors in the world of advertising, where sales and personal communication skills are as important as analytical ability, if not more. See school rankings here https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business and here https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-marketing
At the same time, where skills are in high demand, there will not much difference between the value of BA vs BS for graduates. Computer science is still a hot topic, maybe with focus on AI computer science student will land a decent job equally well with a BA or with BS.
Still, others say that you should focus on your goals, rather than abbreviations. And choose majors and classes accordingly. If you want to be a biologist – you should study courses relevant to the biology field. If you want to be an English teacher – you study English and courses relevant to developing teaching skills.
When BA or BS Does Not Matter?
Eventually, the difference between BA and BS will probably get blurred even more. The problem is that there is no governing body that sets the standard for these degrees and it is hard to tell what is a better degree BA or BS.
As not only each university but each college within the university may freely designate its BA or BS degrees, this leaves many students and aspiring students in confusion and effectively can be misleading. There is a need to clarify this question either on the legislative level or by setting a national standard for what must be taught in BA and BS options.
Then it will make students clear which option they want to choose. This is an outdated system and students, who incur significant student debt should look very careful when making a choice. Because nobody will bail them out if they make mistake in choosing their major, designation, or program.
Conclusion
Now, unless students want BA for some pacific reason, it seems to me that I would go for a BS degree. Just because it is more practical. But, that’s just me. Your situation may be different depending on your goals and, on your college, and major.
I suggest you read college marketing materials and web-site carefully, call the college, and ask questions about options. Or, if you can talk to existing senior students in the program that would be even better. Because they should know by their 3rd or 4th year in college what they got themselves into. Try to locate and ask them.