Associate vs Bachelor Degree: Difference and Comparison

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.

Key Takeaways

  1. Associate degrees, two years, require less time to complete, while bachelor degrees take about four years.
  2. Career opportunities and earning potential increase with a bachelor’s degree compared to an associate degree.
  3. Associate degrees focus on vocational and technical training, whereas bachelor degrees provide a broader education, including general and specialized courses.

Associate Degree vs Bachelor Degree

An associate degree takes 2 years to complete, while a bachelor’s degree takes 4 years. Bachelor’s degree is an in-depth study of a course compared to an associate degree. Bachelor’s degree is more costly than an associate degree. Income after a bachelor’s degree is more compared to an associate’s degree.

Associate Degree vs Bachelor Degree

An associate degree is 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.

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.

Comparison Table

Parameters of ComparisonAssociate DegreeBachelor Degree
DefinitionIt 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 LengthTwo to three years.Four to Six years.
CostThe 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 PathPolice Officer, firefighter, fashion designer, bank teller, Registered nurse, Front desk receptionist, etc.Engineer, IT manager, Professor, Marketing Managers, Pilot, etc.
EarningAt least $61,000 a year.At least $43,500 a year.
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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.

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There are two types of associate degree programs: Specialized technical coursework and general course. As the name suggests, the Specialized course gives you training in a particular major, a particular academic field.

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.

For an associate degree, the annual tuition fees in public institutions are around $3,570 and in private institutions are around $14,587 per year.

associate 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.

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, PhD, etc.

Some of the bachelor’s degrees are Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech.), etc.

A bachelor’s degree focuses on a specific major, a particular topic of study, or a field of work you want to do next and make your career into.

bachelors degree

Main Differences Between Associate And Bachelor Degree

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
Difference Between Associate and Bachelor Degree
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

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About Author

Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.