What is a Bachelor of Arts Degree?

Whether you’re just starting to consider career options or you’re working toward a dream job, earning a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree could help you reach your goals. So what is a Bachelor of Arts degree, and how can it help you build the future you want?

A BA degree is a four-year undergraduate liberal arts program offering a broad-based education and teaching key soft skills — often referred to as interpersonal or people skills. From education and psychology to human services and creative writing, there are BA degree programs that can help you prepare for diverse careers across many industries.

If you’re considering an undergraduate degree, it’s important to understand what programs are available, how to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree and the long-term value of a BA degree.

What is a Bachelor of Arts Degree All About? 

Earning a Bachelor of Arts degree can give you a strong foundation of learning across many subjects and help you develop the career skills employers want.

BA degrees typically consist of 120 credits, or about 40 courses. Credits are earned through a combination of general education courses, program-specific courses and elective courses. The actual number of courses will vary depending on your degree program.

Is a Bachelor of Arts Degree Useful?

While program-specific and elective courses help expand your knowledge base in a particular field, general education courses lay the foundation for valuable soft skills like creativity, communication and critical thinking.

These soft skills can help you prepare for more advanced degrees and give you the flexibility to navigate an evolving job market. They're also in high demand across many industries and could help you succeed in your chosen career.*

According to a recent LinkedIn study, 9 out of 10 global executives say that soft skills are more important than ever. LinkedIn data found that some of the most in-demand skills for 2024 include communication, teamwork and problem-solving.

The focus on soft skills is one of the key features of a Bachelor of Arts degree that sets it apart from the other primary type of bachelor’s degree — a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree.

What's the Difference Between a BA and BS Degree?

While both degree types include a foundation of general education courses and program-specific courses, there are some differences between a BA and BS degree. So which is a better degree, BA or BS? It really depends on your interests and career goals.

A BA degree explores topics that require critical thinking and research, like literature, arts or history. BA programs can prepare you for specific careers while also laying a solid foundation of soft skills that can apply to a variety of career opportunities.

A BS degree, on the other hand, typically focuses on more concrete, technical skills and places a bigger focus on program-specific courses. As a result, students with a very specific career in mind may gravitate toward a BS degree, such as an online computer science degree for someone who wants to work as a computer programmer.

One of the most significant differences between BA and BS degrees, however, comes down to the programs of study available within each degree type.

What Majors Fall Under Bachelor of Arts? 

Whether you dream of spending your days writing novels or you want to focus on helping others, there’s a BA degree program for you.

Are creative pursuits your passion? While a Bachelor of Arts degree does differ from a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, there are still many program options that can help you turn your love of the arts into a career. Do you want to make a difference in your community? A BA degree could also help you land jobs in social services, non-profit work or education.

Still not sure what you want to do with your career? Explore some of the most common types of BA degrees available — and the jobs they can help you get — to see what could be a good fit.

Bachelor of Arts in Communication

When you earn a communication degree, you can learn the skills you need to work in journalism, social media, public relations, advertising and other related fields. You’ll study how to convey ideas effectively to various audiences and have the opportunity to apply your learning to real-world situations.

You could focus your studies on areas like business communication, new media, professional writing and public relations. This type of Bachelor of Arts degree could help you prepare for a variety of jobs, including:

Public Relations (PR) Specialist

As a PR specialist, you could help create and maintain a positive reputation for an organization or individual client, writing media releases, developing social media programs and coordinating with the media.

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, PR specialists earned a median annual wage of $66,750 in 2023.* Jobs for public relations specialists are projected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, said BLS.*

Advertising, Promotion and Marketing Manager

With a job in advertising, promotion and marketing, you could work with company leadership to plan marketing campaigns, select advertising media and manage a marketing budget.

According to BLS, advertising, promotion and marketing managers earned a median salary of $156,580 in 2023, and jobs in the field are projected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032.*

Learn more about what you can do with a communication degree.

Bachelor of Arts in Education

With a degree in education, you can prepare for teacher licensure and gain the skills you need to work as a classroom teacher or other educator. In addition, you can build a strong foundation of teaching strategies and learning theories and participate in a hands-on student teaching experience.

Most bachelor's degrees in education offer a variety of concentrations, allowing you to focus your learning on special education, early childhood education, elementary education, secondary education or specific subject areas.

With a bachelor’s degree in education, you can prepare for careers including:

Elementary School Teacher

As an elementary school teacher, you’ll develop lesson plans to teach young students in subjects such as math, reading, science and social studies. You’ll also observe students to monitor their progress and evaluate areas for improvement.

According to BLS data, elementary school teachers earned a median annual wage of $63,670 in 2023.* 

Middle or High School Teacher

Teachers in middle and high schools typically instruct an entire classroom of students or small groups of students in a particular subject, such as literature, history or math.

According to BLS, the median salary in 2023 was $64,290 for middle school teachers and $65,220 for high school teachers.*

Learn more about how to become a teacher.

Bachelor of Arts in English

If you love storytelling or enjoy discussing literature, a BA in English could be a good fit.

In a four-year English degree, you will analyze literary form, genre, structure, and style and have an opportunity to gain fundamental research, collaboration and communication skills that you can apply to diverse career opportunities.

Some of the jobs available with an English bachelor’s degree include:

Writer/Author

As a professional writer, you could work for a magazine, newspaper, film production company or digital publication. You could also author your own books or other publications or even start a copywriting firm.

According to BLS data, writers and authors made a median annual wage of $73,690 in 2023.* BLS said jobs for writers are projected to grow an average amount from 2022 to 2032.*

Technical Writer

With a job as a technical writer, you could prepare instruction manuals, how-to guides, journal articles and other similar documents to communicate complex technical information clearly.

According to BLS, technical writers earned a median salary of $80,050 in 2023.* BLS said jobs for technical writers are projected to grow 7% from 2022 to 2032.*

Learn more about what you can do with an English degree.

Bachelor of Arts in Human Services

When you earn a human services degree, you can work to make a difference in the lives of others. You’ll explore the art of advocacy and learn how to effectively provide services to individuals, families and entire populations in need.

By focusing your degree on areas like child and family services, gerontology or substance abuse, you can specialize in your chosen field and gain career skills to help you land your dream job.

Job opportunities for human services degree holders include:

Social and Human Services Assistant

With a job as a social and human service assistant, you could provide services or connect clients with services across various fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation and social work.

According to BLS data, social and human services assistants earned a median annual wage of $41,410 in 2023.* Jobs in the field are projected to grow 9% from 2022 to 2032, said BLS.*

Substance Abuse, Behavior and Mental Health Counselors

As a counselor, you could provide treatment and support to people struggling with alcoholism, addiction, eating disorders and other mental health issues.

According to BLS, these counselors earned a median salary of $53,710 in 2023, and jobs in the field are projected to grow 18% from 2022 to 2032.*

Note: Becoming a licensed counselor depends on individual state requirements and often involves earning a master's degree.

Learn more about what you can do with a human services degree.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

With a psychology degree, you can explore human behavior deeply using case studies and experiential learning. You can learn how to gather, interpret and communicate data and build critical thinking skills.

With a degree in psychology, you could also explore areas of specialization like addiction, child and adolescent development, forensic psychology, industrial organizational psychology and mental health. These studies could help you prepare for a variety of career paths or advanced degrees.

Some of the jobs available to psychology bachelor's degree holders include:

Market Research Analyst

With a job in market research, you could collect and analyze data to help companies monitor and predict marketing trends and measure the effectiveness of marketing strategies.

According to data from BLS, market research analysts earned a median annual wage of $74,680 in 2023.* BLS said jobs for market research analysts are projected to grow 13% from 2022 to 2032.*

Human Resource Specialist

As a human resource specialist, you could use your understanding of human behavior to recruit, screen, interview and place workers in jobs. You could also manage employee relations, compensation and benefits and workplace training.

According to BLS data, HR specialists earned a median salary of $67,650 in 2023.* Jobs in the field are projected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, said BLS.*

Learn more about what you can do with a psychology degree.

What Does it Take to Earn a Bachelor of Arts Degree?

Once you’ve decided which subject to study in your Bachelor of Arts program, it’s important to explore how to get started with a BA and what it takes to graduate with your degree.

What is Required to Start a BA Program?

While admission procedures vary, most colleges and universities have a few core requirements to enter into a bachelor’s degree program. Typically, the process begins with an application.

Once you’ve applied, you’ll likely be required to supply a transcript from your high school or GED program, as well as any other schools you’ve attended. If you need financial aid, you’ll want to complete the current Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Some schools may also require SAT or other testing for admission, while other schools, such as Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), do not.

If you’ve completed any college courses already through an associate degree program or past bachelor’s degree courses, you may be able to transfer those credits toward your new degree program.

Can You Earn a Bachelor's Degree Online?

If you’d rather not attend school on campus or need the flexibility to earn a degree while working full time, then earning an online bachelor's degree could be right for you. Luckily, there are many options for online BA programs.

At SNHU, there are more than 100 online bachelor’s degree programs and concentrations. With an online program, you can complete your schoolwork when it works for you, accessing online classes and course resources 24/7. So, whether you’re working full-time or managing family responsibilities at home, you can earn a bachelor's degree online at your own pace.

How Fast Can You Get a Bachelor's Degree Online?

A bachelor’s degree is traditionally a 120-credit program that takes about four years to complete, but the actual time it takes to earn your degree can vary. At SNHU, for example, six 8-week terms throughout the year mean you can complete as many as 12 courses annually.

If you take a full course load and transfer credits, you could finish your degree faster. If you take fewer classes each term, it may take longer than four years to complete your program.

How Much Does it Cost to Earn a BA Degree?

The cost of a Bachelor of Arts degree can vary significantly depending on tuition and other fees. At SNHU's rate in May 2024, bachelor’s degree courses cost $330 per credit hour, along with any other required books or materials. Typically, a bachelor's degree is 120 credits, resulting in about $39,600 for a full degree.

Earning an online bachelor's degree can often be less expensive than an on-campus degree because you’ll save money on housing costs, meal plans and other on-campus service fees. But even in an online degree program, there can be additional costs aside from your tuition — such as textbooks, online learning resources, software and other technology needs.

What is a Bachelor of Arts Degree Able to Do for Your Career?

One of the most important things to consider when exploring a Bachelor of Arts degree is what the degree can do for you, your career and your life. When it comes to a BA degree, there's a lot of potential.

It's no wonder that the number of Americans with bachelor's degrees has consistently risen over the last decade: they offer a valuable, in-demand education with significant career benefits.*

According to BLS data, the median weekly salary for bachelor’s degree holders — $1,493 per week — is 41% higher than workers with an associate degree and 66% higher than workers with only a high school diploma.* 

Bachelor’s degree holders also have higher rates of employment than workers without a four-year degree, according to BLS. The unemployment rate for bachelor’s degree holders was 2.2% in 2023, BLS said.* BLS data also indicated that associate degree holders had an unemployment rate of 2.7%, while workers with just a high school diploma had a 3.9% unemployment rate.*

Data shows it pays to advance from an associate degree to a bachelor's.* Earning a Bachelor of Arts is also a necessary step toward entering most graduate programs, such as a master’s degree. A master's can pave the way for even more job opportunities and earning potential.*

No matter what you hope to achieve in your career, a Bachelor of Arts degree could help you get started toward your ideal future.

When you work through a BA program, you can graduate with the critical thinking, analytical and communication skills you need to succeed in just about any field. In preparation for today's evolving job market, these skills provide key flexibility and versatility to explore new professional interests over time and find the right career for you.

*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.

Danielle Gagnon is a freelance writer focused on higher education. She started her career working as an education reporter for a daily newspaper in New Hampshire, where she reported on local schools and education policy. Gagnon served as the communications manager for a private school in Boston, MA before later starting her freelance writing career. Today, she continues to share her passion for education as a writer for Southern New Hampshire University. Connect with her on LinkedIn.