Difference Between Associate and Bachelor Degree (With Table)

A degree program is an academic course that helps a student to make his career. A degree helps in personal, professional, and financial goals for the future. It makes a student’s future in the field of work they choose. According to their degree and the field of interest, they can get a job in the field they like and a degree helps them show them their ability as a certification.

Associate Degree vs Bachelor Degree

The main difference between an Associate’s degree and a bachelor’s degree is the time the course takes to complete. An associate degree can be completed in 2 to 3 years. While on the other hand, a bachelor’s degree needs 4 to 6 years. Indeed, the fees of an associate degree are less while a bachelor’s degree has more tuition fees.

An associate degree, an undergraduate degree that is a level qualification between high school and a bachelor’s degree. An associate degree is used to complete a bachelor’s degree as well. It provides a major course in a particular field and a general course as well which will earn you credit.

A bachelor’s degree is a 4 to 6-year degree course in a particular field. A degree helps to make the future of a student in a particular field of interest. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, a student can go on for further studies like a Master’s degree, Ph.D., etc.

Comparison Table Between Associate Degre And Bachelor Degree

Parameters of Comparison

Associate Degree

Bachelor Degree

Definition

It is an undergraduate degree that provides a major course and a general course.

It is an academic undergraduate degree that provides a degree in a specific field.

Program Length

Two to three years.

Four to Six years.

Cost

The annual tuition fees in a public institution are around $3,570 and in a private institution is around $14, 587.

The annual tuition fees in a public institution are around $9,308 per year and in a private institution is around

Career Path

Police Officer, firefighter, fashion designer, bank teller, Registered nurse, Front desk receptionist, etc.

Engineer, IT manager, Professor, Marketing Managers, Pilot, etc.

Earning

At least $61,000 a year.

At least $43,500 a year.

What is Associate Degree?

An associate degree is an academic degree. It is an undergraduate degree. An associate degree is done after a student has completed his/her high school. The duration of the course lasts up to 2 to 3 years. An associate degree is a level of classification between high secondary school and a bachelor’s degree. Mostly, United States offers an Associate’s degree.

There are two types of associate degree programs: Specialized technical coursework and general course. As the name suggests, the Specialized course gives you training into a particular major, a particular academic field. While a general degree is not specific to a major, it gives you college credit that you can apply to a bachelor’s degree later.

An associate degree is also used to complete a bachelor’s degree. Using an associate degree to complete a bachelor’s degree helps to upgrade the position in the field of work. Some of the associate degrees are Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Electronics (AE), Associate of Engineering (AEng), etc.

For an associate degree, the annual tuition fees in public institutions are around $3,570 and in private institutions is around $14, 587 per year. It leaves the other costs of books, notebooks, Hostel, Canteen, etc. It costs less than a bachelor’s degree.

What is Bachelor’s Degree?

A bachelor’s degree is a degree or certification given to a student who has completed the provided course in due time. A bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate degree. It is provided by government-approved colleges and universities. Typically, the duration of a bachelor’s course is up to 3 to 6 years based on the type of course and university educational guidelines. A similar thing goes for the cost of the course, it depends on the type of course and institution.

After clearing the higher secondary examination, a student is passed on for a bachelor’s degree. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, a student can go on for further studies like a Master’s degree, Ph.D., etc.

Some of the bachelor’s degrees are Bachelors of Art (BA), Bachelors of Science (BSc), bachelors of technology (B. Tech.), etc. After the completion of a bachelor’s degree, the candidate is provided with a certification that allows him to appear for jobs in his field or go on for further studies.

A bachelor’s degree focuses on a specific major, a particular topic of study, a field of work you want to do next and make your career into. A particular degree allows a candidate to take a job in a particular field according to the major they chose in college under their graduation degree.

Main Differences Between Associate And Bachelor Degree

  1. An associate degree fee is less therefore it costs less than a bachelor’s degree.
  2. An associate degree is a 2 to 3 years course while a bachelor’s degree is a 4 to 6 years course.
  3. An associate degree is a credit earn a degree that can be applied to a bachelor’s degree. It can be used to complete a bachelor’s degree.
  4. A candidate with an associate degree can not earn more than that of a bachelor’s degree student. Opportunities are more for a student with a bachelor’s degree.
  5. An associate degree is more than enough for an entry-level position. Although for a higher position a candidate would need a bachelor’s degree.

Conclusion

An associate degree is an academic, undergraduate degree that is provided by colleges and institutions to provide a course to students. An associate degree can be of 2 to 3 years. It costs less than a bachelor’s degree. An associate degree can earn candidate points which can be used to complete a bachelor’s degree.

A bachelor’s degree is also an undergraduate degree. A bachelor’s degree takes up to 4 to 6 years to complete. A bachelor’s degree has more weightage and provides better opportunities to the candidates. The candidates with a bachelor’s degree are preferred and earn more as well.

References

  1. https://journals.healio.com/doi/abs/10.3928/01484834-20170918-02
  2. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ906473
  3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1747938X15000020