What are the 4 types of college degrees?
The four main types of college degrees are associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral. In that order, each degree represents a step up in education level.
Read on for more details about each type of degree.
What you’ll learn:
- Associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees are known as undergraduate degrees. Master’s degrees and doctoral degrees are graduate degrees.
- Earning a degree may lead to more job opportunities and a higher salary.
- It may help to consider your personal goals and talk to a college adviser when deciding if any degree is right for you.
1. Associate degree
|
Average program length |
2 years |
|
Credits required to qualify |
60 |
|
Scope of study |
Vocational or technical training or focused academic studies |
|
Where taught |
Community colleges, technical schools, some universities |
|
Typical admission requirements |
High school diploma or General Education Development (GED) certificate |
|
Examples of associate degrees |
|
|
Potential benefits |
|
2. Bachelor’s degree
|
Average program length |
4 years |
|
Credits required to qualify |
120 |
|
Scope of study |
General studies combined with a focus on one specific discipline, known as a major. Fields of study include business, health, social sciences, engineering, languages and history. |
|
Where taught |
Colleges and universities |
|
Typical admission requirements |
High school diploma or GED certificate Standardized testing scores like the SAT or ACT Personal essay |
|
Examples of bachelor’s degrees |
|
|
Potential benefits |
|
3. Master’s degree
|
Average program length |
1-3 years |
|
Credits required to qualify |
30 |
|
Scope of study |
Graduate program that typically builds on the student’s bachelor’s degree but is more advanced, targeted and self-directed |
|
Where taught |
Graduate schools, colleges, universities |
|
Typical admission requirements |
Bachelor’s degree in the same discipline Entrance exam like the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) Letters of recommendation Personal essay |
|
Examples of master’s degrees |
|
|
Potential benefits |
|
4. Doctoral degree
|
Average program length |
3-7 years |
|
Credits required to qualify |
58-120 |
|
Scope of study |
Graduate program at the highest educational level. May be research focused for disciplines like science or engineering or more hands-on in fields like education, nursing or business. |
|
Where taught |
Universities, professional schools |
|
Typical admission requirements |
Master’s degree Entrance exam like the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) GRE or GMAT scores Letters of recommendation Statement of purpose |
|
Examples of doctoral degrees |
|
|
Potential benefits |
Access to high-earning, prestigious leadership roles |
Types of college degrees FAQ
Still have questions about the types of degrees available and which one’s right for you? The answers to these frequently asked questions might help.
What is a 4-year college degree called?
A bachelor’s degree is known as a four-year degree because that’s how long it typically takes to complete. The first two years of a bachelor’s are often spent taking general education classes. The next two years typically focus on a specific study or major. Four-year college degrees are a type of undergraduate degree.
What’s the difference between an undergraduate and a graduate degree?
According to the U.S. State Department’s EducationUSA, “Undergraduate programs follow high school and lead to an associate (two-year) degree or a bachelor (four-year) degree. Graduate programs follow a bachelor’s degree and lead to a master’s or doctoral degree.”
What type of degree is right for me?
ACT, the administrator of the ACT Test, suggests considering your interests, strengths and career goals when deciding on a degree type. The cost of college can also be a deciding factor.
Meeting with a college adviser could help in choosing a career path and understanding which degrees will help you get there.
Key takeaways: Types of college degrees
Each successive level of college degree may lead to more career opportunities and higher pay. But college is an investment of time and money. Financial aid, student loans or undergraduate or graduate scholarships can help offset some of the costs.
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