What is a bachelor’s degree? How can it help me?

Bachelor’s degrees are offered by four-year colleges and universities. Bachelor’s degree programs are designed to take four years of full-time study to complete, however, many students choose to complete them in five years, and part-time students may take even longer. Students are required to take a variety of general education courses, plus several courses in a specific area of study called a major, that the student chooses. A bachelor’s degree can be a stepping-stone toward earning a graduate or professional degree, and is required for many high-salary, high-status jobs.[2860]

PROS:

CONS:

    Qualifies you for jobs across more professional fields (for example, engineering, architecture, accounting)
    Generally no “open admissions”—requirements are extensive, and competition can be fierce
    May increase your competitiveness in the job market for higher-level, better-paying jobs
    Courses are academically rigorous, and may be difficult for people who have been out of school for a long time
    Qualifies you to pursue graduate academic and professional degrees
    Class schedules tend to be less flexible, making it harder to juggle other obligations
    Makes you eligible for more scholarships and grants
    Programs can be expensive—higher tuition and fees can lead to more student debt
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    U.S. Dep’t of Educ. Office of Vocational & Adult Educ., Take Charge of Your Future: Get the Education and Training You Need (2012). See also Quick Guide: Your College Degree Options, College Board, www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org/find-colleges/college-101/quick-guide-your-college-degree-options.