Key takeaways
- Undergraduate college students are students pursuing their associate or bachelor’s degree. Graduate students are working towards a master’s degree, professional degree, or doctorate degree.
- While undergraduate studies cover broad and foundational education in a specific field, graduate studies build upon the previous program of study.
- Undergrads may earn a median salary of $57,000-$80,000, while graduate degree holders may earn anywhere from $95,000-$123,000+.
If you’re deciding what degree to pursue (or you’re just curious about how college works), this guide breaks down the key differences between undergraduate and graduate programs. We’ll compare what they are, how long they take, what they cost, and what they can lead to so you can plan ahead for your future education.
The differences between undergraduate and graduate programs
At a high level, here are the basic differences of undergraduate vs graduate programs:
| Undergraduate | Graduate | |
| Purpose | Broad and foundational education in a specific field | Advanced knowledge in a specific field, building upon the previous program of study |
| Prepares students for | Advanced study or entry-level careers | Advanced careers, including the potential for higher salaries, and professional roles |
| Degrees available | Associate or bachelor’s, certificate | Master’s, doctorate, professional certificate |
| Length of program | 2 years for associate’s, 4 years for bachelor’s (on average) | 1-2 years for master’s, 4-8 years for doctorate |
| General admission requirements | Application, high school degree or equivalent, SAT/ACT | Application, bachelor’s degree for master’s and master’s degree for doctorate, entrance exam(s) |
| Structure | General education followed by core courses related to the selected major | Specialized focus on a specific subject, emphasis on research, and required thesis or dissertation |
| Cost | Often much less expensive than graduate programs, but costs can be very high at some colleges, such as private schools. Community college is less expensive than 4-year institutions. | Since they’re specialized, graduate programs tend to be much more expensive, but costs vary quite a bit depending on the school and program |
What is an Undergraduate?
An undergraduate is a college student pursuing higher education for the first time. Most undergrads will be working towards their associate degree or bachelor’s degree, but some may be studying to earn a certificate. An undergraduate degree provides a foundation in general education and a chosen major.
Common undergraduate majors
The following are some of the most popular undergraduate majors:
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Business
- Communication
- Computer Science
- Education
- Engineering
- Health Professions and Related Programs
- Psychology
- Social Sciences and History
- Visual and Performing Arts
Associate’s vs. Bachelor’s
| Associate’s degree | Bachelor’s degree | |
| Program length | Associate undergraduate programs take 2 years to complete for full-time students. | Students completing a bachelor’s degree program can expect to graduate in about 4 years. |
| Institution | Typically community colleges | College or university |
| Credit hours | Most associate degrees require 60 total credit hours, including 36 credit hours in general education and 24 credit hours of electives. | Undergraduate students can expect to take around 120 credits over the course of eight semesters. |
| Structure | Students take general education classes and career-related classes | Includes general education and major-specific coursework |
| Career opportunities | Prepares students to transfer to a four-year college or leads to entry-level positions, such as a dental hygienist or legal assistant | Often required for many professional careers |
Common undergraduate admission requirements
Applicants typically need a high school diploma or GED. For four-year colleges and universities, students must complete a college application (typically in the fall semester of senior year) to earn an acceptance letter by the spring semester. Applications typically include:
- Personal information
- SAT/ACT results
- High school transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- College essay
- Information about extracurriculars, volunteer work, and work experience
What is the undergraduate learning experience like?
Undergraduate programs typically follow a structured schedule with general education and major-specific courses. Students can generally expect the following:
- Structured academic schedule: Students follow a timeline by quarter or semester. A full-time student typically completes 15 to 18 credit hours each semester.
- General education courses: Students can expect to attend classes in several different subjects, such as math, science, and English, to cover their general education requirements.
- Different classroom experiences: Coursework may look like a combination of lectures, discussions, exams, assignments, and even group projects.
- Major requirements: To earn a degree, students will have to choose a major and complete major specific requirements. This may include foundational courses, capstone courses, and electives from an approved list.
What is a graduate student?
A graduate student is a college student who is pursuing higher education after earning a bachelor’s degree. It often refers to students working towards their master’s, but those studying for a PhD or a professional degree can also be considered graduates.
Graduate courses tend to involve a more specialized, deep dive into a chosen field than a bachelor’s degree. There is a higher focus on research, analytics, and advanced concepts.
Common graduate degrees
Graduates typically pursue a master’s, doctoral, or professional degree. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Doctor of Chiropractic (DC)
- Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
- Juris Doctor (JD)
- Master of Arts (MA)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Education (MEd)
- Master of Science (MS)
Why should undergraduates pursue graduate school?
Certain career paths require graduate school. For example, you can’t become a doctor with just a bachelor’s degree. Students typically earn an undergraduate degree in biology, chemistry, or another pre-med major, and then attend graduate school to earn their medical degree.
Not every student needs a graduate degree. Many earn an undergrad degree, start a job, and build a successful career. However, graduate school can help you stand out in the job market, qualify for higher-level roles, and increase your earning potential.
Master’s vs. PhD
| Master’s | PhD | |
| Purpose | Provides advanced knowledge within a specific field | This is the highest level of education offered |
| Program length | Master’s degrees usually take 2 years to earn | PhD’s can take anywhere from 4 – 8 years to earn. |
| Credit hours | Graduates usually have to take between 30 and 60 credit hours | Students take around 60-120 credits |
| Academic requirements | A thesis, internship, or capstone project may be required to graduate | Students write, present, and defend a dissertation in front of experts |
What are common graduate admission requirements?
Graduate school admission can be very competitive. Though requirements will vary depending on the program and school, almost all master’s programs require a bachelor’s degree. Some will also require at least one year of professional experience and a minimum GPA.
To apply, graduates will often have to send:
- Personal information
- Personal statement or essay
- Transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Relevant test scores, such as the GMAT, MCAT, LSAT, or other
Doctoral programs often require relevant degrees, and applicants may need to have a minimum GPA plus two to three years in their field. However, many students go from an undergraduate program to a graduate program, and then directly to a doctoral program. They may also work as a teacher’s assistant during their time as a graduate.
What is the graduate learning experience like?
Graduate students tend to have a more flexible schedule compared to undergraduate students. Grad programs have more independent research and work, and many students are working full-time jobs. Students can generally expect the following:
- Focused coursework: Students often study a subject within a subject, so classes are specialized, and study requires research and theory.
- Fewer classmates: Graduate courses tend to have fewer students compared to undergraduate classes and participation in the classroom is highly encouraged.
- Research opportunities: Research is a big part of many graduate programs, and many graduates conduct their own research for their thesis.
What financial aid is available for undergraduate and graduate students?
Attending college and graduate school is expensive. Let’s look at some of the stats:
- In the 2025-26 academic year, the average cost of a four-year college was $38,270 per student per year.
- On average, a master’s degree costs $62,820.
- A doctorate degree may cost anywhere from $175,000 to $450,000, depending on the school, program, and length of program.
Fortunately, both graduate and undergraduate students have access to plenty of financial aid options:
- Federal financial aid. Always complete the FAFSA to determine federal aid you may be eligible for. This includes federal grant aid and scholarships and work study.
- Institutional aid: Most schools use FAFSA to determine recipients of need-based grants and scholarships. Schools also usually require the FAFSA even if they are granting merit-based awards.
- Private scholarships: There are thousands of scholarships open to undergraduates and graduates, and some are dedicated just to graduates. Using free scholarship databases can help you find gift aid to help pay for school.
- State grants: Many states also have grant programs dedicated to students pursuing their master’s or higher degrees.
- Employer paid tuition: Some employers will cover educational costs if it’s related to your line of work.
- Federal student loans: Federal unsubsidized loan limits differ between graduates and undergraduates. Graduates often have much higher limits compared to undergraduates, but graduates aren’t eligible for subsidized loans. Some undergraduates and graduates may choose private loans to bridge the gap between financial aid and need.
- Private student loans: To fund the gap, private student loans are available through private banks to students for both undergraduate and graduation programs. Rates tend to be higher, so it’s important to compare rates and terms.
Graduate vs. undergraduate earnings
Generally, those with graduate degrees often earn more than those with a bachelor’s or associate’s degree. According to data from 2024, median weekly earnings increase by degree:
- Associate’s degree: $1,099 per week
- Bachelor’s degree: $1,543 per week
- Master’s degree: $1,840 per week
- Doctoral degree: $2,278 per week
- Professional degree: $2,363 per week
Should you pursue an undergraduate or graduate degree?
Ultimately, this will depend on your career goals and personal interests. While some careers may only require an undergraduate degree, others will require you to continue your education. In some cases, you may want to pursue a graduate degree because it can unlock new positions and possibly higher earnings. Remember, in order to become a graduate student, you first need to be an undergrad. Consider the benefits of both and make the decision that is right for you.
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