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
- Associate degrees, two years, require less time to complete, while bachelor degrees take about four years.
- Career opportunities and earning potential increase with a bachelor’s degree compared to an associate degree.
- 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.

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 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.
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.

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.

Main Differences Between Associate And Bachelor Degree
- 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.
- 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.
