The two most common types of degrees for higher education are the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science. These degree programs are very similar and may even be identical, depending on the college you attend.
Many students start college as “undecided,” so if you’re in this situation, you aren’t alone! Checking out the most popular bachelor’s degree concentration can perhaps help you decide the best education path for you.
Common Concentrations
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 1.5 million bachelor’s degrees were given out in 2007 alone, with millions more being awarded since then. The most popular majors for students were as follows:
- Business
- Social Sciences and History
- Education
- Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences
- Psychology
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
- Engineering
- English Language and Literature or Letters
Of these, some are more common as bachelor of arts degrees, but many – business, education, health-related majors, psychology, biology-related sciences, and engineering – are typically given in B.S. programs. Some of the degrees on this list are available as both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science programs, depending on the college you attend.
Other Common Bachelor of Science Concentrations
These top ten majors aren’t, of course, the only concentrations you can consider if you want to earn a B.A. degree. Some other common majors include:
- Political Science
- Computer and Information Sciences
- Law and Legal Studies
- Library Sciences
- Math and Statistics
In addition to majors, many colleges offer concentrations within a major for more specific study. For example, while earning your B.S. in computer and information sciences, you might choose to concentrate in an area such as networking or information technology. Concentrations vary by college in most cases, though in some fields, especially medical fields, concentrations are regulated by national organizations that control licensing.
If you’re not sure what major to choose, give some thought to what subjects most appeal to you. You may be surprised to find that engineering, a subject you don’t study in high school, is heavily focused on math and science. If you have a knack for solving problems and are interested in technology, you might be better suited to study engineering, rather than mathematics.
Related Degree Programs
As stated, Bachelor of Arts programs are extremely similar to Bachelor of Science programs. In addition, you can consider a Bachelor of Fine Arts if you’re interested in a field like music, dance, art, or literature. In addition, some colleges offer a bachelor of architecture, though this is a rarer option for students.
Again, each school is different, but most likely, the college of university you choose offers both a B.A. and a B.S. degree. Majors, minors, and areas of concentration can vary greatly, that’s why it’s important to research each prospective school carefully to ensure you’re getting the education you need to achieve your career goals.
The same goes for online schools. If you decide distance learning is the way to go, you need to do your homework by speaking with an admissions counselor about your options. If you want to be a civil engineer, does the school offer such a program, and if so, what are the requirements needed to earn your degree? Can you elect to minor in math or business? Online programs are often quite similar, if not the same as their traditional counterparts, but it can’t hurt to gather as much information as possible about the program you’re interested in.
