An associate degree usually takes about two years, while a bachelor’s degree takes about four and is more in-depth.
Associate
- About 2 years (60 credits).
- Offered at community colleges.
- Median cost lower.
- Median weekly earnings $1,005 (BLS, 2023).
Bachelor’s
- About 4 years (120 credits).
- Offered at colleges and universities.
- Median weekly earnings $1,493 (BLS, 2023).
Transfer
Many associates transfer to a bachelor’s program.
Unemployment
Lower for bachelor’s holders.
Time and credits
An associate degree takes about 2 years full time and about 60 credits. A bachelor’s degree takes about 4 years and 120 credits.
Types
- Associate: AA (arts), AS (science), AAS (applied science).
- Bachelor’s: BA (arts), BS (science), BFA, BBA and others.
Where offered
Associate degrees are offered mostly by community colleges and some four-year schools. Bachelor’s degrees are offered by four-year colleges and universities.
Cost
The College Board reported average published tuition and fees for 2023-24 of about 3,990 dollars at public two-year colleges (in-district), compared with about 11,260 dollars at public four-year colleges (in-state) and 41,540 dollars at private nonprofit four-year colleges. These do not include room, board and books.
Earnings
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023), median weekly earnings were about 1,005 dollars for associate degree holders and 1,493 dollars for bachelor’s degree holders. Unemployment rates were about 2.7% for associate and 2.2% for bachelor’s degrees.
Transfer
Many students start at a community college and transfer to a four-year school to finish a bachelor’s degree, saving money. Articulation agreements and state transfer programs help credits carry over. About 1 in 3 students who start at community college intend to transfer, but a smaller share complete a bachelor’s degree within 6 years, according to the Community College Research Center.
Career fields
Associate degrees lead directly to careers such as dental hygienist, radiologic technologist, registered nurse (ADN), paralegal, web developer and electrician helper. A bachelor’s is required for most professional jobs, such as teachers, engineers and accountants.
Financial aid
Both qualify for FAFSA aid, including Pell Grants.
Costs and outcomes
The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows median weekly earnings in 2023 of about 1,493 USD for bachelor’s degree holders versus about 1,005 USD for associate’s degree holders, and unemployment rates were lower for the bachelor’s group (2.2 percent versus 2.7 percent). Community colleges charge average in-state tuition of about 4,000 USD a year, compared with about 11,000 USD at public four year colleges, according to the College Board.
Transfer options
Many associate degrees, especially Associate of Arts and Associate of Science, are designed to transfer into a bachelor’s program, and about 2 years of credit may apply when articulation agreements exist. Associate of Applied Science programs are career focused and may transfer fewer credits. Typical requirements are about 60 credits for an associate and 120 for a bachelor’s degree.
Based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the College Board
