What Is a Bachelor's Degree?

A bachelor’s degree is a postsecondary academic program. It’s a type of undergraduate degree that allows students to further their education following graduation from high school. When you enroll in a bachelor’s degree program, you’ll declare a major, which is an academic field or subfield that you will specialize in as a student and potentially pursue a career in once you become a college graduate.

Earning a bachelor's degree may help open doors for you professionally and introduce you to a variety of new ideas and perspectives.¹ Once you understand the benefits of a bachelor’s degree — meaning its impact on your future — you can explore all the options available to you at Grand Canyon University.

In This Article: 

• When Should You Earn a Bachelor’s Degree?
• What Are the Types of Bachelor’s Degrees?
• Typical Structure of a Bachelor’s Degree
• How Many Years Is a Bachelor’s Degree? 
• Benefits of Earning a Bachelor’s Degree
• Career Options to Consider
• Bachelor’s Degrees at GCU

When Should You Earn a Bachelor’s Degree?

When you should earn a bachelor’s degree depends entirely on your own unique set of circumstances and goals. Many students decide to enroll in college soon after graduating from high school. Pursuing postsecondary education right after high school is a viable option for many, and it allows students to work on preparing for a career before entering the workforce on a full-time basis.

However, that isn’t the only option. Other students decide to take a gap year after high school, during which they might participate in job shadowing, internships, community service or global travel. A gap year can be a good option for students who want to help build schools in an undeveloped nation, for example, or backpack across Europe.

A gap year can also be a good choice for those who aren’t yet sure about their career plans. For example, if you’re not sure whether becoming a Java developer or a software engineer is the right choice for you, you might complete a couple of internships designed to introduce you to these subspecialties. This can help you figure out exactly where your interests are and, consequently, enter college with greater focus.

There is a third option, as well. You could pursue a bachelor’s degree as a nontraditional student later on in your 20s — or even in your 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond. It’s never too late to earn a bachelor’s degree, and online classes can make higher education more accessible and convenient for many students.

What Are the Types of Bachelor’s Degrees?

There are two main types of bachelor’s degrees: the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and the Bachelor of Science (BS). The Bachelor of Arts degree encompasses majors in the humanities and social sciences, including English and history. The Bachelor of Science degree encompasses majors in the natural sciences, technology and mathematics, including finance, biology and computer science.¹

Another undergraduate degree option is the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). A BFA is more specialized and designed for students who would like to major in fine, visual or performing arts. These subfields encompass creative writing, dance and drawing.¹

Typical Structure of a Bachelor’s Degree

Bachelor’s degree students are required to complete certain general education classes. For example, even if you major in English, you’ll need to fulfill a math requirement to receive a well-rounded postsecondary education. General education classes are important for teaching critical thinking, problem-solving skills and other transferable skills and general knowledge.¹

Next, bachelor’s degree students must fulfill the requirements of their college and major. For example, if you’re earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing because you want to become a registered nurse, the bulk of your course schedule will consist of nursing-related classes, such as pathophysiology, human anatomy and nutrition.

Throughout your time in college, you will likely have opportunities to add an elective class to your schedule. Electives in college offer the chance to pursue an academic interest that may be related to your major or that you're simply curious about. Before signing up for any electives, however, it’s important to check with your advisor to ensure you have enough room in your schedule and are still on track to graduate on time.

Undergraduate students earning a bachelor’s degree will take courses in a sequential progression. For example, you’ll take the 101 (or introductory) classes first, followed by progressively more advanced or specialized classes. This sequential nature allows you to continually build upon what you’ve been taught, and it applies to all types of bachelor’s degrees.

How Many Years Is a Bachelor’s Degree?

The length of time it takes to complete a bachelor’s degree depends on many factors. A typical bachelor’s degree requires 120 credit hours to complete. A student enrolled in classes full time can expect to graduate more quickly than a student who is taking only one or two classes per semester. Similarly, taking classes during a summer semester (if available at your school) can speed up the process.

Other factors that can affect the time it takes to earn a bachelor’s degree include: 

• Whether you earned advanced placement (AP) credits in high school and whether those credits transfer 
• Whether you have transferable credits from a different higher-education institution 
• The type of degree you’ve chosen 
• Whether you pass each class the first time you take it

More than 90% (4,491) of 2023 traditional campus graduates spent less than four years at GCU and nearly 44% (2,177) spent less than three years at GCU to complete their degrees.

Benefits of Earning a Bachelor’s Degree

Many people simply love to learn and enjoy the formal structure of a degree program, which introduces them to a diverse spectrum of beliefs, worldviews and values.

Other potential benefits of earning a bachelor’s degree include the following:

Employment

According to the Lumina Foundation, bachelor’s degree graduates are 15% more likely to be employed compared to those who hold only a high school diploma.² A bachelor’s degree could prepare you to pursue a number of career opportunities in fields ranging from healthcare to technology to business — and beyond.

Societal Contributions and Enrichment

College graduates typically require fewer government services than high school graduates: Over a lifetime, government expenditures are $82,000 lower for those with a bachelor’s degree.² In addition, over their lifetime, college graduates contribute $273,000 more in taxes than a high school graduate.²

Earnings Potential

College is often seen as the pathway toward a better life. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median weekly paycheck for a high school graduate was $930 as of 2024. For a bachelor’s degree graduate, it was $1,543.³

Career Options to Consider

A bachelor’s degree can prepare you to pursue graduate-level education, such as a master’s degree or doctoral degree. Or, you may want to enter the workforce right away. Each career has different requirements, and not all of them are entry-level, so you should take the time to carefully research your intended career before enrolling in a degree program.

You can start by considering which career fields appeal to you and then take a look at some examples of careers within those fields. Consider the following:

Architecture and Engineering 

• Sustainable designer 
• Architect 
• Mechanical engineer

Arts and Entertainment 

• Graphic designer 
• Photographer 
• Music producer

Business and Management 

• Marketing content creator  
• Accountant 
• Project manager

Nursing and Healthcare 

• Public health nurse  
• Healthcare administrator 
• Billing specialist

Community and Social Services 

• Teacher 
• Social worker 
• School counselor

Science and Technology 

• Laboratory technician 
• Computer programmer 
• Cybersecurity analyst

Government, Legal Studies and Criminal Justice 

• Human rights lawyer 
• Victim advocate 
• Intelligence analyst

Bachelor’s Degrees at GCU

GCU offers a diverse selection of bachelor’s degree programs across various fields, including technology, natural sciences, social sciences and humanities. From bachelor’s degrees in history and commercial music to forensic science and psychology, we offer modern degree programs designed for students who are passionate about making positive contributions to their communities.

Join the GCU learning community in Phoenix or online. With a diverse range of bachelor’s degrees to choose from, you’re sure to find a degree program that suits your academic interests and career goals. Fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor about your future.