BA vs BS: What's the Difference Between a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science?

When you choose a major, you often choose a degree type too. Many colleges offer a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Science (BS), and some let you earn the same major either way. The difference sounds technical, but it shapes which courses you take, how much room you have for electives and how you prepare for graduate school or your first job.

This guide explains the BA vs BS question in plain terms: what each degree means, the key differences in coursework and credits, real examples from universities that offer both, how each fits different career paths and how to pick the right degree for your career goals.

BA vs BS: The Quick Answer

A Bachelor of Arts focuses on a broad education in the humanities, social sciences and arts, with more electives and often a language requirement. A Bachelor of Science focuses on math, science and technical training, with more required courses in the major. Both are four-year undergraduate degrees that usually require about 120 semester credits, and both are respected by employers and graduate programs.

What Is a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree?

A BA degree is an undergraduate degree built around a liberal arts education. Alongside your major, you take courses across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and the arts. The goal is to build critical thinking, writing, communication and creative thinking skills that transfer to many careers.

BA programs usually require fewer courses in the major itself, which leaves room for electives, a minor, study abroad or a second major. That flexibility suits students who want interdisciplinary learning or who are still exploring their interests. Many colleges also require BA students to reach intermediate level in a foreign language.

Common BA majors include English, history, communications, philosophy, political science, sociology, foreign languages, creative writing and fine arts. Psychology and economics are often offered as a BA as well.

What Is a Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree?

A BS degree is an undergraduate degree focused on math, science, technology and research. BS programs require more credits in the major and in supporting subjects such as calculus, statistics, chemistry or physics, so there is less room for electives. The goal is to build scientific knowledge and quantitative and technical skills as career preparation for specialized fields.

Common BS majors include biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, computer science, mathematics, nursing and other health sciences. Many schools also offer a BS in psychology, economics or business for students who want a more quantitative version of those majors.

Key Differences Between a BA and a BS Degree

The key differences come down to how your credits are divided, not how many credits you earn in total.

Coursework and Credits

Most bachelor's degree programs require about 120 semester credits, whether they lead to a BA or BS. The difference is how those credits are split. A BS usually puts more of those credits into the major and into math and lab sciences, while a BA leaves more credits for general education and electives. A BS student might spend most of their time in their department, while a BA student takes a wider mix of subjects.

Foreign Language and General Education

BA programs often include a foreign language requirement. At Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences, for example, BA students must complete an intermediate-level course or 11 credits in one language. BS programs are more likely to replace that requirement with extra math, science or technical courses.

Skills Each Degree Emphasizes

A BA emphasizes critical thinking, writing, communication and an understanding of human behavior and culture, along with soft skills such as persuasion and collaboration. A BS emphasizes analytical skills, statistical analysis, lab research and problem-solving with data. Both develop technical skills and soft skills to some degree, and employers want both.

Same Major, Different Degree: Real Examples

Many universities offer the same major as a BA or BS. Looking at real requirements shows what the degree type actually changes.

• Psychology at the University of Washington: the BS major requires 84 to 86 credits compared with 66 to 68 for the BA. These are quarter credits, since UW uses the quarter system. BS students must take calculus, a full statistics sequence, a lab course, a biology course and a research course, while BA students can choose from easier math options.
• Computer science at Cornell: BA and BS students take the same core CS courses. The BA, offered through the College of Arts and Sciences, adds a language requirement and broad distribution courses, while the BS, offered through the College of Engineering, adds engineering-college science requirements.
• Computer science at Columbia: the BA through Columbia College includes the college's Core Curriculum and a language requirement, while the BS is offered through the engineering school.

In each case, students in either degree program can go on to work in the same field. The BS adds more depth in math and quantitative methods, while the BA adds breadth.

Common Majors for an Arts Degree vs a Science Degree

Whether a major leads to an arts degree or a science degree depends on the school, though certain majors follow clear patterns:

Usually a BA: English, history, philosophy, communications, journalism, political science, sociology, anthropology, art history, music, theater, creative writing and foreign languages.

Usually a BS: biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, computer science, mathematics, statistics, data analytics and other STEM fields.

Often either: psychology, economics, environmental studies, business, neuroscience and some social sciences. If your college major is offered both ways, compare the requirements line by line before you choose.

Bachelor's degrees are spread across many fields. According to the most recent federal data, colleges awarded about 2 million bachelor's degrees in 2021–22. The largest fields were business, with about 375,000 degrees, and health professions, with about 264,000, followed by social sciences and history, biology, psychology, engineering and computing.

Does a BA or BS Degree Pay More?

Earnings depend far more on your major, skills and career path than on whether your diploma says BA or BS. A BA and a BS in computer science usually lead to similar jobs and salaries. What matters is the bachelor's degree itself and what you do with it.

Is a Bachelor's Degree Worth It?

Yes, for most people. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers with a bachelor's degree had median weekly earnings of $1,578 in 2025, compared with $966 for workers with only a high school diploma, a difference of more than $600 a week. Their unemployment rate was 2.8%, compared with 4.3% for workers with only a high school diploma. Researchers at Georgetown University project that by 2031, 72% of jobs will require education or training after high school, and 42% will require a bachelor's degree or higher.

Salaries in Common Career Paths

Here are median annual salaries from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for careers BA and BS graduates commonly pursue:

A marketing manager earns a median of $166,790, though that role usually requires several years of experience after a degree in marketing, business or communications. BLS does not track a separate data analyst occupation, but entry-level data analyst roles often lead to data scientist or analyst jobs like those above. A social worker usually needs a master's degree and a license for clinical work, and many social workers start in social and community services roles with a bachelor's degree.

Do Employers Care About BA vs BS?

Rarely. Employers treat BA and BS degrees as equivalent in most fields and look at your major, skills, internships and experience. The National Association of Colleges and Employers reports that 70% of employers now use skills-based hiring for entry-level roles, and teamwork, problem-solving and communication top the list of attributes they seek. Building a professional network through internships, research positions and campus organizations usually matters more than your degree type.

BA vs BS for Graduate School, Med School and Law School

For most graduate school programs, the degree type matters less than whether you completed the required courses and earned strong grades.

• Medical school: the AAMC says there is no required or preferred major. In 2025–26, about 58% of MD matriculants majored in biological sciences, but humanities and physical sciences majors were accepted at higher rates than biology majors. What matters is completing prerequisite courses in biology, chemistry and physics and earning a strong MCAT score. Our guide to the MCAT score range explains what counts as competitive.
• Law school: law schools accept any major, and the ABA does not recommend a particular undergraduate path. Political science is the most common major for applicants, at roughly one in five, but English, history, philosophy, economics and STEM majors all go on to law school. See our guide on how long law school takes for the full timeline.
• PhD programs: research programs in the sciences look for advanced math, lab experience and undergraduate research. A BS degree often makes it easier to fit those in, though a BA student who takes the right courses is equally eligible.
• Business school: MBA programs admit students from every major. Read what an MBA degree involves if you are considering business school later.

Engineering and Other Fields Where a BS Matters

In a few fields, the degree type does matter. Accredited engineering degrees are almost always BS-type degrees, such as a BS, BSE or BE. ABET accreditation is the standard path to the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and a Professional Engineer license, and most states require a longer experience period if your degree is not ABET-accredited. Harvard, for example, offers both an AB and an SB in engineering, but only the SB is accredited for professional licensure. Nursing is similar: registered nurses usually earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

If you are planning a licensed career such as engineering, nursing or certain health professions, check which degree program meets licensing rules in your state before you enroll.

Schools That Award Only a BA

At many small liberal arts colleges, the BA is the only option, even for science majors. Williams College awards the Bachelor of Arts as its only undergraduate degree, so a chemistry or physics major there still earns a BA. Swarthmore awards the BA in every major except engineering. These students go on to medical school, PhD programs and technical careers every year, which shows the label alone does not limit your options.

Some schools also use different names for undergraduate degrees. Harvard awards the AB and SB, the Latin forms of the BA and BS. A BA from one school may include more math and science than a BS from another, so judge programs by their requirements, not their labels.

Double Major or Dual Degree?

If you want both breadth and depth, you have two options:

• Double major: one degree with two majors, usually completed within the standard 120 credits. A BA degree often makes a second major easier because of its extra electives.
• Dual degree: two separate degrees, such as a BA and a BS, which requires more credits. The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, for example, requires at least 150 credits for two bachelor's degrees, which often means a fifth year.

A double major usually gives you most of the benefits at a lower cost.

How to Choose Between a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science

Choosing between a BA vs BS depends on your career goals, academic strengths and learning style. Ask yourself:

• What are your career aspirations? If you want to be an engineer, nurse, lab scientist or data scientist, a BS is usually the best degree. If you want to work in communications, law, education, human resources or the arts, a BA is a strong fit.
• Do you enjoy advanced math and lab work? Students interested in research, statistics and technical problem-solving tend to thrive in BS programs.
• Do you want flexibility? If you have several personal interests or want to study abroad or add a minor, a BA gives you more room.
• Are you planning graduate study? Check prerequisites for medical, PhD or professional programs and make sure your plan covers them.
• What does your school offer? Compare requirements at the same school and at others on your list, since the same major can look very different.

There is no universally better choice. Both degrees can lead to fulfilling careers and strong career opportunities. The right degree is the one that matches your professional goals and keeps you motivated through four years of study. If you are still choosing schools, our guide to college vs university can help with that decision too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a BS Harder Than a BA?

A BS often requires more math, science and lab courses, which many students find more demanding. A BA degree can be just as challenging in other ways, with heavy reading and writing. Difficulty depends on your strengths.

Is a BS Better Than a BA?

No. Neither is better overall. A BS degree can be the stronger choice for technical and science careers, while a BA degree can be the stronger choice for communication-focused careers. Employers care most about your skills and experience.

Can I Switch From a BA to a BS?

Usually, yes, especially early in college. Switching to a BS later may require extra math and lab courses, so talk to an advisor as soon as you are considering it.

Which Is Better for Psychology, a BA or BS?

Choose a BS degree in psychology if you plan to pursue research, neuroscience or medical school. Choose a BA degree if you are interested in counseling, social work, human resources or law, or want room for a second major.

Does a BA or BS Matter for Med School?

Not directly. Medical schools accept both degrees and every major, as long as you complete the required science courses and perform well on the MCAT.

Do Employers Prefer a BS Over a BA?

Generally not. Most employers do not distinguish between the two. A few technical and licensed fields, such as engineering and nursing, expect a specific BS degree.