Key Takeaways
- A bachelor’s degree refers to an undergraduate credential that you receive by completing a program in a specific area of study at a college or university.
- The two main types of bachelor’s degrees include a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science.
- It generally takes full-time students four years to earn the 120 credit hours required for a bachelor’s degree.
How long does it take to get a bachelor’s degree? Understanding that timeline gives you a clearer picture of the commitment needed to advance your education and open new career opportunities.
For Norah Koerber, that planning started early. The 18-year-old knew she wanted to begin her career in pharmacy as soon as possible.
But students such as Jon Tukala demonstrate that your journey can begin at any time – even in your 30s.
Whether you go to college after high school or later in life, this blog outlines the steps required to successfully navigate the process.
What Is a Bachelor’s Degree?
A bachelor’s degree refers to an undergraduate academic credential that you receive by completing a program in a specific area of study at a college or university.
The bachelor’s degree you choose to earn can lead to a particular career or provide you with transferable skills to apply to several different roles in a range of industries.
Who Should Get a Bachelor’s Degree?
You should get a bachelor’s degree if you want to pursue a profession that involves the following:
- Specialized licensing: You often need a bachelor’s degree to obtain the state-issued credential required to work in regulated fields such as healthcare, education, and law.
- Leadership roles: Many employers view a bachelor’s degree as the minimum qualification when evaluating candidates for management positions.
- Advanced education: You can’t earn a master’s degree or a doctorate without a bachelor’s degree.
- Flexibility: A bachelor’s degree helps you go after opportunities in other industries if your career goals change over time because of the knowledge and perspective you develop while finishing a program.
You can get a bachelor’s degree at any time:
- Upon graduation from high school
- In your 30s or older
- While working a full-time job or raising children
- After obtaining a certificate or an associate degree
Types of Bachelor’s Degrees
The two main types of bachelor’s degrees include:
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
You earn a B.A. when you major in the humanities and social sciences. These degrees develop your problem-solving, teamwork, and communication abilities through coursework that emphasizes critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and cultural awareness.
A B.S. can be a good way to launch a career in STEM. You learn highly technical skills specific to a career. For example, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing teaches you how to administer treatments and perform health assessments.
Careers That Require a Bachelor’s Degree
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the majority of bachelor’s degrees conferred concentrate in six areas of study:
- Business
- Health professions
- Social sciences and history
- Biological and biomedical sciences
- Psychology
- Engineering
With one of those bachelor’s degrees, you could become a(n):
- Accountant
- Project manager
- Elementary teacher
- Civil engineer
- Software engineer
- Registered nurse
- HR recruiter
- Public relations specialist
- And more
Cost of a Bachelor’s Degree (2026)
It costs more than $38,000 per year to obtain a bachelor’s degree, according to the Education Data Initiative.
That includes tuition, books, supplies, and daily living expenses such as room and board.
However, how much you pay for your bachelor’s degree depends on:
- Type of school: Do you plan to attend a public college or a more expensive private university? Whether you live in the state of the institution you plan to enroll in may also make a difference.
- Location: Earning a bachelor’s degree in a major city may increase your overall cost.
- Length of enrollment: You will spend more on tuition and housing if you take additional semesters to study.
You can also make college more affordable by:
- Applying for financial aid: Grants, work-study, scholarships, and loans lower the price of your degree.
- Transferring existing credits: Reduce the number of classes you need to complete by applying credits from AP and dual enrollment courses and College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
- Taking advantage of employer benefits: Your job may offer tuition assistance or a reimbursement program to help you pay for college.
Another option includes enrolling in online college courses, like Norah and Jon.
They both used Portage Learning, an accredited institution that offers a self-directed format so students can learn anytime, from anywhere.
Norah took a statistics course. It gave her the academic challenge she craved throughout high school – and insight into the college environment.
Meanwhile Jon finished the prerequisite courses he needed to get into his accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
“When I first started, it was very difficult,” Jon states. “I was working full time, and we just had my daughter. But looking back on my education with Portage Learning, it gave me a lot of confidence to become a nurse.”
Portage Learning’s tuition remains significantly lower than the average per-credit rate public, four-year universities charge in-state residents.
Alternatively, you can register for its packaged option, which enables you to finish eight general education courses – equivalent to a year of college – for under $5,000. It includes:
- English Composition I
- General Psychology
- College Algebra
- Introduction to Statistics
- Nutrition
- American History II 1877-Present
- Introduction to Sociology
- Foundations of Public Speaking
Earned credits transfer to more than 2,800 colleges and universities across the country.
How Long Does It Take to Earn a Bachelor’s Degree?
It generally takes full-time students four years to earn the 120 credit hours required for a bachelor’s degree.
You enroll in four to six courses each semester and typically spend the first half of your studies finishing gen eds in subjects such as math, English, and history.
During the final two years, you take courses specific to your major.
Can You Earn a Bachelor’s Degree Faster?
You can earn a bachelor’s degree in three years or less by:
- Taking advantage of AP and dual enrollment courses in high school
- Testing out of gen eds with CLEP exams
- Leveraging accredited, transferable online courses
- Registering for your institution’s summer and winter intersession terms
All of these options allow you to earn college credits more efficiently, reducing the number of courses you need to complete after enrolling in a program.
However, keep your university’s transfer policy in mind.
Institutions typically accept up to 60 credits – or two years of courses – if it matches their curriculum. It could be more in some instances. For example, Duquesne University allows 90 transfer credits if earned from a four-year college.
How to Get a Bachelor’s Degree (Step-by-Step)
If you decide to further your education, you can get a bachelor’s degree by following these steps:
- Plan and research
Choose universities that offer what you want to major in and the other factors important to you such as tuition cost and on-campus amenities.
Unsure what degree program fits best? You can enter college undecided and still finish on time. - Apply to schools
Submit an application to five to seven institutions that you would like to attend.
As a condition of admission, you must obtain a high school diploma or a GED certificate. Colleges require you to meet a minimum grade point average (GPA) and standardized test score.
You’ll also be asked to provide:
- Letters of recommendation
- A personal essay
- An application fee
- Get accepted and enroll
As the admission letters roll in, review the financial aid offers you receive and pick the school that best fits your needs.
From there, register for your first semester! - Pass your courses
Need we say more?
If you begin to struggle, go to your professor’s office hours and schedule an appointment with your advisor. Many colleges offer free tutoring services as well.
Bachelor’s Degree Requirements
You must meet the following criteria to graduate with a bachelor’s degree, although it may vary depending on your college or program:
- Finish all general education courses and those required for your chosen major
- Achieve the minimum cumulative GPA established by your institution
- Satisfy the university’s residency policy, which refers to the number of credits earned through the institution
- Complete an internship, capstone project, clinical practicum, or other major-specific experiences beyond traditional coursework
Is a Bachelor’s Degree Worth It?
Some people argue a bachelor’s degree costs too much in time and money. However, earning one remains worth the effort when it aligns with your personal and professional goals.
Among full-time working adults, four-year college graduates make about 60 percent more than those with a high school diploma, according to College Board’s Education Pays 2026 report.
It also found:
- Lower unemployment rates among people with a bachelor’s degree
- Typical college graduates recoup the cost of their education by their mid-30s or sooner
- Those with a bachelor’s degree more frequently secure jobs that provide health insurance and retirement benefits
Norah and Jon look forward to the opportunities a bachelor’s degree can provide. And even though their entrances into higher education started differently, both prove the same point: timing matters less than commitment.
A bachelor’s degree delivers real returns in earning, stability, and opportunity.
No matter when you start that journey.
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