What Is the Difference Between a BA and a BS?

A Bachelor of Arts degree centers your education on the humanities, social sciences, arts, and communication. If you’re drawn to subjects like English, history, political science, sociology, or psychology, you’ll likely encounter the BA path. But the BA isn’t limited to “artsy” fields — many universities offer BA options in economics, environmental studies, and even some sciences.

What makes the BA distinctive is its structure. At most universities, you’ll complete a broader set of general education courses spanning multiple disciplines — think philosophy alongside biology, literature alongside statistics. You’ll typically need to demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language, which is one of the clearest structural differences from a BS.

At the University of Oregon, for example, the BA requires second-language proficiency, while the BS requires demonstrated proficiency in mathematics or computer science. At the University of Michigan, both the AB and BS require 120 credits, but the BS demands 60 credits specifically in physical and natural sciences or mathematics.

The trade-off for that language requirement? More elective space. You’ll generally have greater freedom to explore minors, double majors, or study abroad — all of which can make your transcript more versatile. If you’re someone who thrives on variety and wants room to discover interests you didn’t know you had, the BA structure gives you that breathing room.

A Bachelor of Science degree is structured for deeper specialization in quantitative, scientific, or technical fields. If you’re pursuing computer science, engineering, nursing, biology, finance, or data analytics, you’ll almost certainly be on a BS track. These programs typically front-load more required courses in mathematics, laboratory sciences, and research methods, leaving fewer open elective slots.

That doesn’t mean you’ll skip general education entirely — you’ll still take courses across disciplines. But you’ll spend a larger portion of your credits building technical competency in your major. At Penn State, for instance, BS degree requirements emphasize additional coursework in the sciences and quantification beyond what the BA requires. At the University of Michigan, BS candidates must complete a full 60 credits in physical and natural sciences or math — that’s half your entire degree focused on STEM-related coursework.

The BS is designed to prepare you for careers or graduate programs where quantitative and analytical skills are non-negotiable. If you know you want to work in a lab, crunch data, write code, or enter a clinical field, the BS gives you the most direct preparation. You’ll graduate with more hands-on technical experience, which can be an advantage when applying to employers or graduate programs that value specialized training.

You might be surprised to learn that a BA in psychology and a BS in psychology can share the same major courses. The difference lies in what surrounds the major. Here’s what typically varies between the two degree types:

Foreign language requirements. BA programs almost universally require proficiency in a second language — often two to four semesters of college-level study. BS programs typically waive this requirement, substituting additional math or science courses instead.

Math and science depth. BS programs require more credits in mathematics, statistics, laboratory sciences, or computer science. At UC San Diego, the BS in Human Developmental Sciences includes an additional quarter of calculus or computer programming, as well as more targeted biological science courses beyond those required for the BA.

Elective flexibility. Because BA programs have fewer rigid major-area requirements, you’ll generally have more credits available for electives, minors, or a second major. BS students trade that flexibility for deeper specialization.

Credit totals. Both degrees typically require 120 semester credits (or 180 quarter credits at schools on that system) and take approximately 4 years to complete. The difference is how those credits are distributed, not how many you’ll earn.

Here’s the honest answer you need: for the vast majority of jobs, employers will not distinguish between a BA and a BS. Your major, your internships, your portfolio, and your interview performance carry far more weight than the two letters on your diploma. A BA in computer science from a strong program can be just as competitive as a BS from the same school.

That said, there are specific situations where the degree type matters. Certain graduate programs — particularly in engineering, clinical sciences, and some research-intensive fields — may expect the additional math and lab coursework that a BS provides. Some technical employers in data science, engineering, or healthcare may prefer candidates whose transcripts show heavier quantitative training.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers with a bachelor’s degree earned a median weekly wage of $1,543 in 2024 and had an unemployment rate of just 2.5% — regardless of whether that degree was a BA or a BS. The BLS does not break earnings data down by BA versus BS; it groups all bachelor’s degree holders together, which tells you something about how the labor market values the degree overall.

Career paths that tend to align with each degree type include teaching, marketing, public relations, social work, and writing for BA graduates, and software development, nursing, finance, engineering, and laboratory research for BS graduates. But these are tendencies, not rules.

Many universities offer popular majors — psychology, economics, environmental studies, biology, and mathematics, among them — as both a BA and a BS. This is where your decision becomes most practical, because you’re choosing between two paths within the same subject.

At Arizona State University, for instance, a BA in psychology emphasizes communication and social sciences, preparing you for careers in counseling, human resources, or community services. The BS in psychology at the same school emphasizes research design, data analysis, and scientific methods, setting you up for clinical research, neuroscience, or graduate study. Same department, same faculty, very different preparation.

At the University of Kansas, students in environmental studies can choose a BA focused on the humanities and cultural aspects of environmental issues, or a BS emphasizing scientific and technical training. Your choice should depend on whether you see yourself working on the policy and communication side of environmental work or the field research and data analysis side.

If you’re undecided, here’s a useful test: look at the courses that differ between the two tracks. If the BS-specific courses (advanced statistics, organic chemistry, research methods labs) excite you, go BS. If the BA-specific courses (foreign language, additional humanities electives, interdisciplinary seminars) appeal more, go BA.

The BA-versus-BS decision doesn’t need to keep you up at night. Here’s a framework that cuts through the noise.

Start with your career requirements. If your target profession requires specific licensure or graduate training — nursing, engineering, clinical psychology, physical therapy — research whether those programs mandate a BS or specific prerequisite courses. If they do, that settles the question.

Next, consider your learning style. If you enjoy exploring multiple disciplines, value creative and critical thinking, and want maximum flexibility in your schedule, the BA structure will feel more natural. If you prefer diving deep into one technical area, enjoy problem-solving with data, and want structured progression through increasingly advanced coursework, the BS is your fit.

Finally, think about risk tolerance. If you’re uncertain about your career direction, the BA gives you more room to pivot because of its elective flexibility and breadth. If you’re confident in a STEM or technical path, the BS gives you a competitive edge by front-loading the specialized skills employers in those fields expect.

Remember: neither degree is “better.” Both lead to the same level of educational attainment—a bachelor’s degree—and are respected equally in most hiring contexts. The right degree is the one that matches how you want to spend the next four years of your education.