What is the Difference Between Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees?

Bachelor’s degree and master’s degree programs differ in the number of credit hours required and their depth of content focus. Before pursuing a master's degree, you must complete your bachelor's degree.

During your bachelor's degree program, which is typically four years, you take general education courses and several courses aligned directly to your major. In your master's degree program, you focus entirely on one area of study.

What Are the 2 Types of Degrees, Exactly?

Understanding the differences between a bachelor's degree and a master's degree gives you an idea of how graduate programs build upon undergraduate study. It can also give you a sense of how long it might take you to finish each program and how each might fit into your long-term academic and career goals.

Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree is the second level of undergraduate higher education; an associate degree is first, but you don't need to get your associate to pursue a bachelor's.

Most bachelor’s degree programs require you to complete 120 credit hours or the equivalent of 40 classes.

Some of the most common types of bachelor’s degrees are the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS).

Generally, the difference between BA and BS is that a BA focuses on humanities while a BS emphasizes science and math — although there is so much more to both. 

Within the different types of degrees, you can select an area to focus in on and become your major. For instance, if you're a nurse, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) can provide you an opportunity to progress in your field.

Take Danielle Jernigan '23 for example — a nurse living in New York City who opted to earn her BSN online at SNHU.

"As a nurse, most employers prefer to hire BSNs, especially the city hospitals," Jernigan said.

A 2022 survey by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) found that 71.7% of employers placed a strong preference on BSN-prepared nurses.

It's not just the nursing field that's placing an emphasis on bachelor's degrees. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that bachelor's degrees were the typical entry-level education for nearly a quarter of all occupations in 2022. BLS projects it will only increase through 2032.*

Master’s Degree

Once you’ve completed your bachelor’s degree, you're eligible to enroll in a master’s degree program to earn what is referred to as a graduate degree. The top reasons people choose to pursue a master’s degree include a desire for higher earnings, a career change or to follow a passion, according to the Harvard Business Review (HBR).

Unlike a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree narrows your focus to one particular area of study.

Typical master’s degrees include:

• Master of Arts (MA)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Education (MEd)
• Master of Science (MS)

Some graduate schools also offer a Master of Fine Arts (MFA), a terminal degree for those wishing to teach writing, studio art or other fine arts. (Note: SNHU currently only offers an MFA in Creative Writing.)

If you're wondering how long it takes to get a master's degree, they are often shorter than a bachelor’s degree but tighter in focus. A master’s degree requires you to complete anywhere from 33 to 60 credits. 

These programs require 36 credits at SNHU:

• MA in Communication
• MA in English
• MS in Finance
• MS in Psychology

How many credits to graduate college depends on a student's academic background. If you earned undergraduate credits in business, for instance, it might be able to earn an MBA in just one year — or 30 credits. you might be able to earn your Master of Business Administration in 30 credits

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 14% of U.S. adults over 25 held an advanced degree, such as a master's or doctorate, in 2022.

Is It Really Worth Getting a Master's Degree?

When Christopher McGinnis '23G started his master's degree at SNHU, he had already applied to several promotions within his organization.

He decided to earn a master's in organizational leadership online after seeing his wife successfully navigate her master's program, work and personal life. Through his courses, he said he developed his leadership and communication skills and prepare to be a leader in change management. 

"Going after my master's helped me even before I had completed the program," he said.

Is a Master's Bigger Than a Bachelor's Degree?

While a master's degree is typically completed in a shorter period of time than a bachelor's degree, its content is intended to challenge students in a different way. There's a greater focus on scholarly evidence in master's programs, according to Dr. Kimberly Gibbons, DNP, RN, CNM(ret), CNL, CNE, a graduate nursing clinical faculty member and team lead at SNHU.

"At the bachelor's level of education, the challenge academically is to understand and begin to apply the information that is part of that professional role or area of academics," she said.

For example, Gibbons said that a BSN education introduces nursing students to evidence-based knowledge related to healthcare. At the master's level, nursing students will be challenged to analyze contributions to their field and determine what they can do to improve it, she said.

Although the material is likely to feel more complex in a master's program, you'll be able to access support in a way that's similar to a traditional setting.

"Just as we maintain connections in our personal lives by using the technology at our fingertips, we can choose to connect with both faculty and classmates by using technology," Gibbons said. "Reach out to the instructor. Reach out to (your) advisor. Reach out to classmates past and present."

Read more from Gibbons about what it's like to be a graduate student.

So, Is It Better to Have a Bachelor’s Degree or a Master’s Degree?

Whether or not you should pursue a master’s degree after you earn your undergraduate degree is a personal choice. According to Gibbons, you might seek a master's degree for reasons related to:

• Intellectual curiosity
• Job security*
• Personal achievement
• Professional advancement
• Salary potential*

Other factors, including job position, industry, company and market trends can also help you determine which degree level is right for you, according to Colleen MacBride, a career advisor for business students and alumni at SNHU. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median weekly earnings of someone holding a master’s degree in 2023 was $1,737.* In comparison, this is more than 16% higher than the $1,493 average median weekly salary earned by those with a bachelor's degree in 2023, according to BLS.*

It’s important to understand that your earnings will vary widely depending on what occupation you enter.

For example, instructional coordinators typically need a master's degree, according to BLS, and these professionals earned a median salary of $74,620 in 2023.* But to become a software engineer or developer, BLS said you'll likely only need a bachelor's degree, and the median salary for software developers was $132,270 in 2023.*

Keep in mind some professions may require you to have a master’s degree, and be sure to explore the job requirements for whichever role you plan to pursue.

"Research is going to be your best friend," MacBride said. "Once you have identified potential career paths, identify and network with professionals in those roles. Learning the expectations and necessary skills and education from someone working in your targeted position or industry is hugely valuable."

Is It Worth Getting a Master's Degree Right After a Bachelor's?

Both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree can offer rewarding learning and career opportunities. If you're unsure whether you should advance, Gibbons recommends you consider your goals, learning needs and options. For some, earning a master's degree could be a requirement for your desired career, for instance.

The good news is that you can start a master’s degree any time after you earn your bachelor’s degree, whether you decide to take a few months off or begin classes again more than a decade later.

"Your career is dynamic and there isn’t one right way to approach your planning," MacBride said. "In some cases, you might earn bachelor’s degree, start working and then learn there are ways to further your career if you also pursue a master’s degree."

You can also use your status as a student to your advantage if you're searching for a job in your field or a new position. "Never undersell your passion and knowledge," MacBride said. You might add a "Relevant Coursework" or "Academic Projects" section to your resume and answer interview questions with examples from a relevant assignment you did for class, she noted.

"Whether or not a student is deciding on a degree at the bachelor’s or master’s level, it is most important they pursue a degree aligned with their interests, passions and values," MacBride said. "Ideally, a student should be able to articulate an answer to the question: What is this degree going to do for me?"

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Krysten Godfrey Maddocks ’11G is a writer who covers K-12 and higher education topics, including policy and the role of digital technology in education. She spent almost a decade working in various marketing roles at an educational assessment company before launching a strategic marketing company. Maddocks earned a master's degree in marketing from Southern New Hampshire University and a bachelor's degree in English/ journalism from the University of New Hampshire. Connect with her on LinkedIn.