Associate’s degree vs. bachelor’s degree: uncovering the differences

Key takeaways:

• An associate’s is a 2-year undergraduate degree usually awarded by community colleges.
• Bachelor’s degrees take 4 years on average and most often come from 4-year colleges and universities.
• Both degrees can open the door to more education and career opportunities, but there are typically more options and higher salary potential with a bachelor’s than an associate’s.

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Associate’s and bachelor’s are two undergraduate college degrees, but they serve slightly different purposes. Associate’s are 2-years and studies can be general or focused on a specific vocation. Bachelors typically take 4-years, require a mix of general and major courses, and are needed if you want to pursue a graduate degree. Understanding what an associate degree vs. a bachelor degree is can help you determine the best school and timeline for your studies, career, and finances.

What is an associate’s degree?

An associate’s degree is a 2-year college degree. Most associates come from community colleges, but some 4-year institutions and universities offer them as well.

Students can choose to focus on general education courses or a specific area of study similar to a major, such as Accounting, Criminal Justice, and Healthcare Administration. The most common types of associate’s degrees are Associate of Arts (A.A), Associate of Science (A.S.), and Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S).

Graduates can opt to then go onto pursue a 4-year degree – a bachelor’s – or enter the workforce.

What is a bachelor’s degree?

A bachelor’s degree is a 4-year college degree granted by 4-year colleges and universities as well as some community colleges. Students can choose from thousands of majors and minors and take a mix of general education courses and major/minor classes.

Common 4-year degrees include Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Bachelor of Engineering (BE), and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Those who graduate with a bachelor’s can enter the workforce or enroll in graduate school to earn their master’s, doctorate, or professional degree.

Associate’s vs. bachelor’s

Both associate’s and bachelor’s degrees are undergraduate college degrees, but there are key differences – this table breaks them down:

*2025 Education Data – Average costs for public in-district 2-year school and public in-state 4-year college

You may want to pursue your associate’s over a bachelor’s if you want to save money on your college education and transfer to a 4-year school later or if your desired career only requires a 2-year degree.

You can pursue your bachelor’s straight out of high school or after earning your associate’s degree. Earning a 4-year degree can result in more employment opportunities, higher salary, and the ability to enroll in graduate school. While 2-year degrees typically have a lower sticker price, 4-year private institutions tend to have more money in endowment and can lead to a lower overall net cost.

Both associate’s and bachelor’s degrees can pave the way to more career options and higher salaries. The degree you pursue depends entirely on your education and financial goals. If you’re not sure which is right for you, talk to your academic advisor or career center to learn more.

Want to compare degrees, majors, and schools further? Use our College Match tool for free to get started on your college journey!