What is a BS degree?

Written by: Lisa Fritscher, Edited by: Rebecca Munday

Published: March 18, 2025

If you want to continue your education beyond high school, pursuing a bachelor of science (BS) degree may be a good path. But just what is a BS degree, and how can it help you pursue your dreams? Discover the benefits of a BS degree program and find out if pursuing one is right for you.

What is a BS degree, and why is it important?

A bachelor of science degree program takes about four years to obtain and generally covers the basic information you need for a career in a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) field.

BS degrees can also be helpful or even required for other non-STEM fields such as nursing, psychology, and counseling.

There are other types of bachelor's degree programs for other fields, including the bachelor of arts (BA) for general education and the humanities and the bachelor of fine arts (BFA) for visual, fine, and performing arts. If you are interested in STEM though, you will likely want to focus on the BS degree.

What are the benefits of a BS degree?

Career opportunities: Many STEM careers require a BS degree. Whether you want to be an electrical engineer or a mathematician or a video game designer, you will likely need to earn this degree in order to be qualified for a great many roles.
Learning about the world around you: BS degree programs focus on the things that make up our everyday world. If you have ever wondered how semiconductors work or wanted to understand the cycles that power the weather, earning a BS degree can help satisfy your curiosity with various answers — and likely help spark so many more additional fascinating questions.
Potential financial benefits: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, bachelor's degree holders on average earn significantly higher incomes than those with lower levels of education. STEM fields tend to pay particularly well as a whole, although your exact salary will vary by role and geographic location.

Should I get a BS degree?

You can develop both technical and soft skills. Your BS degree program can teach you specific technical skills that are relevant to your field. It can help you develop critical soft skills like problem-solving, leadership, and organization that can help make you a better candidate for numerous jobs across various industries.
Bachelor's programs can help prepare you for the working world. Making it through a BS program requires you to juggle numerous complex tasks, devote countless hours to completing projects based on specific directions, work together on teams with peers toward a common goal, manage your time wisely, and perform various other duties and responsibilities that will be expected of you in just about any career.
Earning a BS can set you up for advanced degree programs. If you're also thinking about getting a master's or doctorate degree, you'll need to get your bachelor's first. Not only will earning a BS help you develop the skills to succeed in advanced degree programs, but you can potentially find and/or further develop your passions, network with people, and learn about what kinds of master's or doctorate programs might be best for you.

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Frequently asked questions about software development careers

How long does it take to earn a BS degree?

It generally takes about four years to earn a BS degree. You could complete it in less time if you already have some college credits. Or it could take longer if you prefer to study part time, possibly while continuing to work.

Is a BS degree worth it?

A BS degree can be worth it if you want to pursue a career in STEM or other related fields such as healthcare or counseling, as many roles in these industries require a bachelor's degree at minimum. Additionally, if you want to further continue your education and pursue a master's or doctorate degree, then earning a BS can be a crucial early step.

Whether or not you find earning a BS degree worthwhile depends largely on your career and academic goals

What is the difference between a BS degree and a BA degree?

A BS degree is typically awarded to graduates of programs in the hard sciences or math. A BA degree program typically involves studies in general education or the humanities.

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